Nine years ago we held the first classes at Albany Dance & Fitness. That was our first open house and it gave everyone “a taste of dance”. For me It was a dream come true – my very own dance studio! Owning a dance studio was my lifelong dream, but I was uncertain of what the future would bring, and whether or not it would be a success.
Over the years since, my expectations for the studio have been exceeded. Year to year, the studio kept growing and everything was booming… until March of this year! I never could have imagined the studio would be empty for this long and that I would be teaching classes from my living room. Like all of you, we have had to adjust to a new normal.
So for months now we have remained strong, vigilant and disciplined, and our reward is the studio will begin to reopen this month! In some ways reopening will be like that first year of business: new schedule, new policies, and a fresh coat of paint. I’m excited while remaining cautious as Covid19 is still with us.
To give everyone a chance to get used to the new normal, we’re going to start slow. The first classes we will offer live in the studio are private ballet lessons. These classes will be in addition to the ones I’m currently offering online. I’m hoping to also add some in studio group dance classes later this month. I’ll make sure to update everyone once those details are set. Based on feedback from many of you, our future schedule will include both in-studio and online classes.
I’m grateful that over the four plus months of the shut down, I was able to connect with many of you and keep classes going online. Many times during this period, you lifted my spirits through your emails and note cards.
Thanks to donations for our online classes and other very kind gestures made by my students, I was able to keep paying my rent. I’ve tried to thank you all, but some donations were made anonymously and some have fallen through the cracks in my mind. So, if I didn’t tell you before please know that I was genuinely touched by all your heartfelt generosity.
If you’re interested in private dance lessons, please contact us. Be sure to keep an eye out for details about upcoming classes!