Today we’d like to introduce you to River Johnson
Hi River, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Well like so many, I started dancing at the age of 3 in Houston. My favorite thing was watching ballet videos in my parents living room and doing my best to emulate them. As I got older it turned into full productions with costume changes and character dynamics. As I grew in my studio I joined the Ballet Company there and increased my love for performance. By the time High School was ending and I had to make choices, I knew I didn’t want to move forward in life without dance. I attended Texas A&M Corpus Christi where I was not only danced for the Universities program but also for The Corpus Christi Ballet. Being able to study under so many wonderful professors and Ballet Masters. In 2014 I was hired at Expressions Dance and Music in College Station. After my first day of teaching I knew it was what I wanted to do. The studio environment, caring owners, talented directors and dancers helped form my passion for dance education. I have since taught at several studios in the Houston metro, completed hours of teacher training workshops, studio owner programs and passed the ABT NTC Pre-Primary through Level 3. I look forward to passing the American Ballet Theater NTC upper levels in the near future. After years of teaching in studios that helped to mold and progress my passion I was able to take the leap of opening my own studio in 2022. Ballet Elle is a dream come true for me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth? No. One of the biggest struggles that has continued to create stress was the build out and start up cost of the studio. Even with years of planning, business plans, budgeting, and projections the true time and cost of building a space and operating it feels like it’s swallowing you whole. Our build out took almost a year longer than expected and cost much more than anticipated. Because of this we have had to become creative with how we use the space. We rent our space out for private events, birthday parties, baby showers Parent Night Out and so on when we aren’t holding classes. We have youth groups who use it on Sundays. and even block parties with our fellow businesses in our building. All of this to make sure we are able to keep our doors open. With all of that said I must admit we have had amazing growth in student enrollments for a “new”studio and although that can be touch and go from month to month we are so thankful for the students and dance families that we do have. The second biggest struggle we have, that is nothing new to dance studios is summer seasons. Like most sports we have a “season” and that runs from August-May. Keeping attendance and enrollment up in the summer months is a universal struggle for studios. So we’re always trying to provide day camps, classes, workshops and intensives for our students and community to help with our monthly goals. A big part of floating our summer months is budgeting the rest of the year. Small businesses have to be so aware of our bottom line. Making sure we are prepared for those slower months. Being prepared for the unexpected has been one of the biggest lessons for me. Even in those “easy” times you have to always be looking for ways to connect with your costumer base while also reaching out to your community at the same time. I am truly thankful for our community here who has been nothing but supportive and positive.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Ballet Elle we are traditional Ballet studio with an emphasis on proper technique. This is another reason I am a certified ABT NTC teacher. I want to make sure that no matter what path our students choose to follow in dance they have the proper fundamentals. Making sure our student have the dance education they will need if they do decide to audition for a professional company or dance at the collegiate level. I think this is what sets us apart. It’s not just myself but our other teachers who have a strong technical background and know the importance of molding strong, confidant, technical, artistic dancers.
But don’t let our name full you, we may be a ballet studio but we also provide amazing Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theater, and Drill Team Prep classes.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There are countless people who have helped me along in this journey. From my first company teachers to my college professors. My biggest supporter has always been my mother. She has never discouraged me from following my dreams and has always been the first to lend a helping hand or positive words of encouragement. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without her.
Pricing:
- 30 minute classes $80 per month
- 45 minute classes $87.50 per month
- 60 minute classes $95 per month
- Adult Punch Cards $85 per 4 classes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.balletelle.dance
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballet_elle_studio/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balletellestudio
