Still Building: A Professional Update
I realized recently that I have not written much publicly about what I have been working on, even though behind the scenes this has been one of the more active periods I have had in years…
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Software founder · Product builder · Dancer
I build software that helps dance studios run better.
I’m David DuVal, founder of Dance Studio Manager. For more than two decades, I’ve worked where software, small business, and the dance community meet—building practical tools that make complicated work feel simpler.
20+ yearsbuilding practical software
FounderDance Studio Manager
Builderproducts and online communities
My main business
Dance Studio Manager
Dance Studio Manager connects enrollment, scheduling, tuition, payments, communication, reporting, and everyday administration in one practical system built specifically for dance studios.
DSM began as a solution for a working dance studio in 2003 and still grows from real conversations with studio owners, staff, teachers, and families.
One connected system
- Registration & class scheduling
- Tuition, payments & reporting
- Family, teacher & staff portals
- Support from people who know the product
Built for dance studios—not adapted from a generic gym platform.
Notes from the workbench—and beyond
Browse all writing →
Latest writing
Morph Chess: A Chess Variant Where Pieces Change After Every Move
I made a new chess variant called Morph Chess, and you can play Morph Chess against the computer here. The board starts from a normal chess…
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Why AI will not replace humans anytime soon
Here’s your text with only typos and awkward sentences corrected. I preserved your style and phrasing as much as possible. Corrected Version AI…
Read articleCoding big projects with AI
A common complaint about people who want to do “vibe coding” — which is basically using AI to write code interactively — is that once the project…
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Dao De Jing translated
The Dao De Jing is a writing that can be interpreted in many ways and each time you read it you may find that you see it in a different way. It’s…
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Why I settle in a less developed country?
Well, I still plan to spend plenty of time in the United States in the years. I also want to spend some time and other places like Thailand and…
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Bill and Bobbie Irvine | The Ballroom Elite Legends
Ballroom Elite Legends honors two of the most famous names in ballroom dance — Bill and Bobbie Irvine. Known for their perfect technique, amazing…
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A few ongoing threads
What I write about
The archive is broad because my interests are broad. These are the clearest paths through it.
18 essays
Professional Work
Building products, running independent software businesses, and learning from the work.
Explore topic → 25 essaysTechnology & AI
Practical experiments and opinions on software, AI, and the tools changing how we build.
Explore topic → 6 essaysCreative Projects
Small applications, unusual ideas, and the pleasure of making something new.
Explore topic → 7 essaysDance & Community
Ballroom dancing, teaching, community, and a lifelong connection to dance.
Explore topic → 24 essaysTravel & Language
Languages, places, and what travel teaches me about people and perspective.
Explore topic → 10 essaysHealth & Longevity
Notes and questions about health, longevity, and living well over the long term.
Explore topic →Still building
Useful ideas should survive their first version.
I enjoy taking products, systems, and communities with real history and helping them become more useful, more dependable, and ready for what comes next.
Read my story