After graduating college, Regan Wilson was torn between attending law school or opening her own dance studio.

She chose law.

After all, Wilson thought, she could always open a dance studio, but taking a break from her education then returning to school would be too unpleasant to even contemplate.

Today, still shy of 30 years old, both her goals have been achieved as she opens the Virginia Dance Center in Manassas while continuing her work as a prosecutor for the Prince William Commonwealth's Attorney's office.

"I did both," Wilson said, sitting in her new[ly decorated & painted lobby.]

"Dance is more like a passion," she said.  "It's something that is always going to motivate me."

Wilson has been dancing for nearly 20 years.  It's always been something she's done as well as something she's loved to watch and learn about.

Posters from plays such as Rent, West Side Story and Miss Saigon cover the walls of her freshly painted dance studio lobby in a shopping center on Fairview Avenue.  Framed pictures of ballerinas hang near a desk and table Wilson created with cinder blocks and boards.

Nicole Desing, a 14 year old Manassas girl who has been dancing since she was a smaill child, said she is coming off a three month hiatus from dance thanks to Wilson's opening.

"I really missed it," the petite teen said Sunday.  "I heard that she was opening a studio and I was so happy."

"I like the routines that she does," Desing said.  "She explains things really well."

Of the 30 or 40 new dancers Wilson has signed up, most of the dancers will be small children.  She said even very young children can benefit from socializing with other children and having the opportunity to use their imagination.  Hula-hoops and jump ropes hang in the back room as props for the youngsters.

"I like working with little kids," Wilson said.  "I focus a lot on creativity."

Only a handful of teens will be under WIlson's guidance, a step toward her goal of forming a dance troupe

While most groups perform in competition, Wilson has a different vision for her students.

"Down the road, I intend to form a group, namely for community performances," Wilson said.  "Nursing homes or fairs.  Whatever is going on in the community.  ...I like the performing more than the competition."

While she prepares for her opening day, Wilson isn't considering quitting her day job, a career she says she loves.  Instead of slowing down at the office, Wilson has started to get involved in cases involving sexual abuse against children.

Wilson will prosecute during the day and teach dance at night with the help of  another teacher she has hired.

Wilson, who typically displays little emotion when she speaks, couldn't help grinning when she talked about her opening.

Desing was less reserved.

"I just can't wait.  I start [dancing] again tomorrow," she said with a broad smile.

(Portions of this article have been edited by Allyson Clagett for use on this web site.)