Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Balint.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always had a passion for the arts. As a child, I was always drawing, painting, creating, pretending, and making up dances. Unlike many dancers, I didn’t start dance classes until the age of 14 because I wanted to audition for my High School dance team. With one year of dance experience, I made the team and went on to be voted Captain my senior year. I danced through college and served the team my Senior year in an elected council position. As a council member, I had administrative responsibilities such as scheduling performances and organizing fundraising opportunities. I also had creative tasks such as choreographing routines and costuming. I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and earned a B.S. in Fine Arts. Shortly after graduating, my husband got a job with an energy company and we moved to California. I got a job at a dance studio North of Los Angeles. I had the privilege to teach students who were working professionals, auditioning for commercials, backup dancers and other dance/modeling/acting-related projects.
I always knew to dream big but these families were actively working to make their dreams happen and it was truly inspiring. My husband’s job then led us to New Orleans, LA. I spent four years working as a dance teacher in Louisiana. During that time, the Studio Director took me under her wing and taught me a lot about owning a studio. This is about the time that my dream of one day opening my own studio began to blossom. After New Orleans we had the opportunity to move close to family in Pittsburgh, PA. That is when I began to actively plan on opening my own studio. I created a business plan, searched for venues, researched school districts and demographics. While doing all of this planning, I was also working a full-time positions as a Visual Merchandiser for a high-end furniture company as a way to finance my dream. Unfortunately, my plan to live in Pittsburgh, PA, fell through after only one year. My husband’s company sold its location in Pittsburgh, which meant he had to find a new job. So, in March of 2020, we moved to Spring, TX. Here we have the opportunity to stay long-term and I’m honored that Spring, Texas is the birthplace of Achieve Dance Academy.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have moved every couple of years for my husband’s work. Which has prevented us from opening a dance studio. When we left Louisiana, I was very sad. I loved my students and the families I’d met. The studio owner had taken her time to teach me her business methods and we both hoped that when the time was right, I could take over her business. When the opportunity arose for us to move to Pittsburgh, we thought that this would be where we could lay roots since we were back close to family. After a year, we found out we would be moving… again… and this time during a global pandemic. We’ve patiently waited to open and the time is now! Like many business owners that don’t have a money tree in their back yard, we’ve struggled with saving for our studio. Paying off student loans had taken a front seat. We have given up buying things, flying home to see family or taking vacations in order to save for my dream.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Achieve Dance Academy, our primary focus is on children and young adults. Our students have the ability to take ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, lyrical, acro, boys only hip-hop and contemporary forms of dance.
I am most proud of the positive impact I have on the people I have taught. I have had incredible students across the U.S. and developed close relationships with many of them. I am often reminded of my impact when my students share memories of times I’ve been encouraging during their self-doubt or that I’ve given them confidence.
Although dance is a great artform, exercise and sport, not many students choose dance as a career which they take into adulthood. Achieve Dance Academy’s mission is for its students to achieve growth in spirit, character and dance. Our students will one day be working adults and we focus on the development of the child to be kind, compassionate, and hard-working individuals. This is what set us apart from other dance studios.
What does success mean to you?
I define success as perseverance. Oprah Winfrey once talked about how she does not believe in failure, that it just a thing that pushes you in a new direction. You get as much from your losses as you do your victories. You will be successful by continuing to listen to yourself and persevere through circumstances.
Pricing:
- 30 minute class is $35/month
- 45 minutes class is $40/month
- 60 minute class is $60/month
Contact Info:
- Email: elizabeth@achievedanceacademy.com
- Website: www.achievedanceacademy.com
- Instagram: @achievedanceacademy
- Facebook: @achievedanceacademy
Image Credits
Creative, styling, direction: Elizabeth Balint Photo: Marci Pagani Photography Photo: Julia Bri Photography
