Chris Collins never wants to retire.
For 50 years, the Alexandria native has taught tap, ballet, jazz and pointe to thousands of aspiring movers and shakers at his private company, the Chris Collins Dance Studio. The studio at 5408 Eisenhower Avenue is a second home for Collins, who works there with his wife, Vickie, and daughter, Tiffany Hopper.
Dozens of trophies from dance competitions line the walls of the studio, along with pictures of his award-winning dance teams. In his office are black-and-white pictures of famous dancers like Shirley Temple, Gene Kelly with Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli in Cabaret, and a young boy in a dancing costume with tap shoes: Collins as a six-year-old…