Virtuosity Dance — Steps towards Success

We did it.

In the past six months, I have envisioned, created, launched, and successfully elevated my own business: Virtuosity Dance. Although that statement seems that I may have had a very clear step-by-step plan to make a success out of Virtuosity, that was not at all what my experience looked like. However, the troubles that I went through are the reasons why Virtuosity Dance became what it is today, and I want to share this story to show the world exactly what my company has to offer.

At the start of this process, all I wanted was to open up my own dance studio, and I needed to create an event where I could gain the attention of dancers in my area before I tackled that dream. Therefore, I came up with a name for my business, did all of the paperwork to establish it, booked rental space, designed tshirts, hired employees, and all in all created the first event — Virtuosity Dance: The Intensive. I wanted to target a specific group of dancers who were on a pre-professional to professional level; therefore, I designed the Intensive to meet the needs of this niche community of dancers and created a nine-day Intensive for these highly trained dancers in my area. The end goal was to find dancers that were interested in joining my studio.

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After weeks and weeks of advertising, I received no sign-ups.

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I thought to myself, “This is exactly what the dance world needs right now. I do not understand.” It took a lot for me to admit that I was completely wrong, and I needed to change the business model of Virtuosity Dance.

Long story short…. I changed my business model fifteen times.

Every change led me to my greatest discovery: after framing my mind to be nothing but analytical in the first stages of this process, I realized that I needed to zone in on simply serving others and creating a sense of community. Therefore, I opened my eyes to what is around me, and I noticed people like to smile, be active, have a good time, and be around others that share their same interests. I realized the only reason I was going to be successful with Virtuosity Dance would be if I focused on People and Happiness.

Virtuosity Dance evolved into what is a dance company that provides events, intensives, and classes for dancers, aspiring artists, and active individuals to learn, grow, dance, and be inspired. It is a business model striving to bring together individuals who are eager to learn therefore providing instruction from contemporary to fitness. It also brings together instructors from all over to share their experiences and knowledge.

If I did not change my perspective and endure failure, I would not have allowed Virtuosity to adapt to what it is today, and I would not have hosted my first successful event this past June. Last month, students that attended ranged from professional dancers to never dancing a day in their life…. but we had fun doing it! I am grateful for all of those that I am surrounded by, and I am indebted to all of those that have supported me. I am excited to see where Virtuosity Dance is led to next.

To all of those that supported Virtuosity Dance through registering, sharing/liking social media posts, donating, giving me a sense of encouragement, and showing me enormous amounts of love.. thank you.

We did it.

“I just want to dance again.”

The story, the motive, and the reason behind Virtuosity Dance

After I graduated from high school, I found myself saying the words, “I just want to dance again.” The day-to-day dancing in the studio life was over. The competitions were over. All I had left was focusing on my education and future career. I didn’t feel that I could make the time to find a class or intensive to take… however without dance, I felt that my life was not exactly where I wanted it.

 

When I arrived at Marquette University, I spent a year trying to get myself adjusted to college-life, and dance went on the back burner.  I met other dancers at Marquette that felt the same way, and they too said the words, “I just want to dance again.”

 

Dance has this stigma about it that its either you either move to New york or Los Angeles and pursue dance for the rest of your life, or you hang up your dance shoes because you want to pursue another passion that will give you a different type of professional full-time career. Despite how harsh this sounds, that is stupid.

 

Some of the wisest people I know recognize the beauty of dance and the flexibility it can hold in your life. If dance is something that is engrained in your heart, the moments you are dancing are some of the happiest and most special times in your life. Those moments can remain in your life forever, even after you start a full-time career doing what you are ALSO passionate about.

 

So…I created Virtuosity Dance. I meshed together my passion for marketing and entrepreneurship and my love of dance into something that can not only help my friends and I, but the dance community around me. The company will give dancers who have said the words, “I just want to dance again” the chance to… dance again. Virtuosity Dance provides dancers with the opportunity to register for classes, events, and intensive programs to learn more about dance beyond their current knowledge. Classes include not only training class in styles such as Contemporary or Hip-Hop, but also classes in fitness, choreography, and improvisation. These classes will be at an intermediate to advanced level; challenging dancers to look at dance in a new perspective and to see what else the dance world has in store for them.

 

Virtuosity means, “to master an art form,” and I firmly believe that dancers can learn to master dance throughout their entire life. It is unnecessary to let go of one passion to pursue another. I took many scary and difficult steps towards opening up my own business to finally show the world what Virtuosity Dance has to offer, and I hope that dancers everywhere can see that they too can challenge themselves to master their art form throughout the course of their lives and chosen careers.

 

~ Gina

http://www.parentigina.wix.com/virtuositydance

A Dancer’s Definition of “Rut”

The official definition of a rut in the dictionary is, “a habit or pattern that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change.”

In my opinion, a dancer’s definition of a rut is, “a time when there is lack of inspiration and motivation in movement and/or the creative process, and it is hard to change.”

I am convinced that dancers have ruts, because it is a test.

Dance is a study that needs constant drive and determination. The dancers that can remove themselves out of the quick sand of being unmotivated are the artists that have the passion and courage to succeed. They pass the test.

So how great of a feeling would it be if you were one of those dancers that got themselves on their feet and experienced what the dance world has to offer.

You caught me; I just got out of a rut. But here is a list of “To Do’s” when you find yourself thinking, “Maybe I should just nix the dance thing.”

1. Take Class. Go learn something new from someone new. Maybe try a new style of dance. Have you ever tried a form of international dance? Tap? Maybe you’ve never tried ballet. Go for it.
2. Practice Yoga. Get in touch with your body. Find what is right for your joints and muscles, so that when you turn to your personal dance movement, you are not inhibited.
3. Reflect on what dance means to you. Reflect on your progress. Putting words to the artistic madness in your head will be a learning experience.
4. Watch dance. Get inspired. Find videos on the Internet, go to live performances, or sit in on a local dance class. The talent that is around the world is truly incredible. We are not the only dancers in the world, and we all own something special. Go find what makes another dancer special, and let it inspire you.
5. Be open. Do not put a deadline on your next booking, accomplishment, choreography, artistic piece, etc. Keep your mind and heart open, because that is where the true beauty will be created.

So don’t give up! The dance world needs you.

My First Inspiration

It is difficult to put to words my thoughts, feelings, and emotions towards dance: an art form that has made an enormous impact on my life since I was fourteen years old. Dance has slowly become the centerpiece of every goal I have for my future, and now, I want to share with others the reasons why dance has the capability to do so much for your heart and mind.

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First and foremost…

When I think of dance I think of one word, and that is inspiration.

Only seven years ago, I was completely inspired. I spent fourteen years of my life hopping around from one after school activity to another. I was a high strung kid, always needing to do the next best thing. One of these activities was dance. At this time, I knew the basics. I knew what a plié, dégagé, and battement was… but I felt nothing. I was just typical, nervous Gina.. running around without her feet on the ground. It wasn’t until my first hip-hop class that I felt so much energy that my body was emulating complete joy.

On that day, I learned a combination where each movement aligned perfectly with the musical beats of the song. It was as if every beat had “charged” me; I felt exhilarated and completely in touch with my surroundings. When I left the class, I specifically remember being a sweaty mess and driving home on a hot summer night. Despite the complete physical discomfort I was feeling, I was joyful. I immediately went home, found the song that we had just learned the combination to, and I began to practice. I was inspired.

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For the following years, I took every ounce of inspiration that I had, and I translated it into passion. My passion and drive to dance caused me to learn and grow as an artist and a human being. I traveled, competed, and took class from dancers and choreographers around the country. I surrounded myself with the feeling of perfectly dancing a piece of choreography, the masterpieces of amazing dancers and choreographers, and simply, the love of dance. I would go on tangents with people who have never danced a day in their lives about the experiences I was having. Dance took away every worry or sadness I had, and I became free and happy.  I never wanted to stop.

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The inspiration that dancers feel is unique, and a true dancer can find this inspiration in every moment, dance-related or not. When a dancer is inspired, they feel as if their entire world was just opened up to the possibility of something amazing. The one very thing that they are most passionate about in the entire world was just given a small spark that will aid them further down their pathway as a dancer. This is a truly beautiful feeling, and I hope artists around the world can see that dance can and will forever inspire them. It is remarkable to share and speak about such an experience, knowing that just one moment of dancing can completely ignite and exhilarate one’s heart and mind in an instant.