Gratitude for Supporting Small Businesses
By purchasing from Dance Jox, you’re directly supporting my small business journey as a former professional ballet dancer entering my second career phase after dance.
Tom Kilps | Dance Jox Owner
OUR STORY
Inception
Tom Kilps, a former dancer with the Texas Ballet Theater, founded Dance Jox in 2013. With his professional experience in ballet, he recognized the need to improve the garments that his fellow artists rely on for their performances in the studio and on stage.
ACHIEVEMENT
The dance belt is a crucial garment for male dancers. We have been constantly striving to improve and refine our design since the initial release in 2014. The outcome of our innovation is a dance belt that offers unmatched support and comfort, while also providing the cleanest lines possible.
DEVELOPING
We recognize that there is a limited range of dancewear options available for male dancers. As a company, we understand the importance of providing high-quality dancewear for men. Along with our newly designed dance belt, we are also proud to offer tights as an additional product.
PROGRESSING
Our company remains committed to creating apparel for performing artists and striving for success. We will continue to work closely with performing artists to ensure their satisfaction and to further improve our products.
Innovation in Motion: A Journey from Ballet to Dance Belt Designs
“Through dance, I’ve discovered both artistry and functionality. As a former professional ballet dancer and now the owner of Dance Jox, I strive to blend innovation with tradition. My journey has led me to redefine comfort and support with designs that resonate worldwide.”
FOUNDER
TOM KILPS
Tom Kilps is a native of Madison, Wisconsin, where he received his early dance training from Studio One, Monona Academy of Dance, Ballet Madison, and Madison Ballet. He furthered his education at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Rock School, and Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy before joining Texas Ballet Theater in 2003.
Throughout his career with TBT, Kilps performed numerous roles in Ben Stevenson’s ballets, including “Ptolemy” in Cleopatra, “Renfield” in Dracula, “White Rabbit” in Alice in Wonderland, “Mercutio” in Romeo and Juliet, “Amour” in Don Quixote, and “Jester” in Cinderella.
Kilps retired from full-time dancing with TBT in 2015 due to chronic injuries, but continued dancing guest roles with the Fort Worth Opera, The Dallas Opera, and Contemporary Ballet Dallas before relocating to Wisconsin in 2016 to be closer to family. He now runs Dance Jox full-time and occasionally performs character roles as a guest artist with Madison Ballet.
Website Photo Credit: Dai Jiyan Photography, ©Andy Keye + Whitney Photography, Matthew Holler, ©Quinn B. Wharton Photography, ©Steven Visneau Photography