Building a Dance Family: Our First Year in Review

That’s a wrap! Just like that, our first year in business has come to a close. Last weekend we held our first Spring Showcase, closing out our very first dance season, and it was amazing! I still can’t keep from smiling every time I think about the joy and excitement in our students. What a way to finish!

As I’ve had time to process (and rest!) this week, I’ve been thinking about what a privilege it is to be able to sit back and watch magic happen. A dance family is being built right before my eyes, and to be honest, I don’t think I have a whole lot to do with it.

I have always known I was meant to be a dance teacher. My love for dance started early and my love for kids and teaching quickly followed. I had the privilege of growing up in a small town dance studio. The owner was like a second mom to me, my fellow dancers were my sisters and best friends. As I moved into my teenage years, my standard response to any invitation was “I can’t, I have dance.” Which didn’t bother me at all, because I was where I belonged.

As I began my teaching career, I was again blessed to be a part of some great dance studios. Eventually I moved into studio ownership, which was eye-opening and challenging, as well as rewarding on a whole new level. The kids and parents were like family and again, I knew I was right where I belonged.

Then my husband took a new job in a new state. We moved an hour away from the studio, and, for a while, I commuted. But we have three kids. Needless to say, that situation could not last long. I had some major decisions to make, and a completely unknown future ahead.

As I stepped out into the unknown and, in faith, started a studio ownership all over again, I alternated between excitement and complete freak-out (I have three girls, so of course this translates to a Disney movie. Think “Tangled” when Rapunzel leaves the tower for the first time and has a complete melt-down. Yep, that was me.) Honestly, I still go through this “I’m so excited! What have I done?!” almost daily.

But dance is so much more than just dance. And I knew that there is a whole group of kids out there that haven’t had the chance to experience what I was blessed to experience. You see, I firmly believe that dance is for everyone, and everyone can benefit from participating in dance and being part of a (healthy) dance studio. Every kid deserves the opportunity to challenge their minds and bodies, explore release through art, have fun without judgement, belong to a community, and make life-long friends.

So I bit the bullet and opened a dance studio in an area saturated with dance studios, determined to be different, to focus on inclusion and acceptance, to give great dance training in a family-friendly environment, to make a difference. And while I was busy working my rear end off to keep the doors open and classes going, something magical happened. A dance family started to form.

I saw a family new to the area with a child starting kindergarten in a new school in a new city begin to make friends. I witnessed a mom reach out to another mom who was struggling and bring supper to feed her family when she didn’t have the energy to come up with a meal plan. I saw a sweet little girl bring a program from a musical she attended to a student with disabilities who is passionate about musical theater. I watched friends and family members cheer on not just their students, but all of our students as they conquered their fears and stage fright at our Showcase. Time and again in the classroom, I saw kids build each other up, tell someone how good they were at that split/turn/leap, compliment someone’s outfit, and make a new friend. I worked in the office as I listened to parents and kids laughing and hanging out long after class was over. I saw kids and families belonging.

This is what dance studio life is all about. Connection and community. Not all kids will love to dance. Not all kids will have the talent, drive, or desire it takes to make a career out of dance. But everyone can benefit from being part of a dance community. And I’m just thankful I get to be a part of it. I’m so thankful that once again, I’m where I belong.

— Miss Beth