Erma Lowe Hall went under a $9.2 million renovation last year, and dance majors finally have their new home.

“We’ve been working really hard to get a new building and finally got the funding, got everything rolling, and it’s really exciting that we can have more people come in and be really proud of the building that we’re in,” ballet and modern dance double major Colleen Pagnotta said.

Dancers spent nearly four decades in the converted gymnasium before spending a semester in the TCU Recreation Center during renovation.

Right in the entrance, dance majors have a student lounge and kitchen that ballet and modern dance double major Sarah Hackwith says is one of her favorite improvements.

“The best part about the new building is the kitchen with two microwaves, so all of the dance majors can make lunch at the same time,” Hackwith said.

Hackwith said the new costume room would also make a big difference, especially during performances. The old building had just one locker room to change in.

“That was also the public’s bathroom for whenever they came to our performances,” Hackwith said. “So when we were changing, and getting ready, and doing makeup for the performance, we would be in line for the restroom with people who came to watch our show.”

For the dancers, Pagnotta said Erma Lowe Hall also features more studio space.

“Our studios are updated, renovated [and] so super nice. [The studios are] a lot cleaner and more up-to-date than they were before,” she said.

One of the studios will even have retractable seating for performances.

With all this, dance majors can stop worrying about having classes in a makeshift Rec Center studio or changing with the public, they can just dance.