Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Ingram.
Danielle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Dance is not just a hobby… it’s a lifestyle. BCE Dance started as a goal. I began dancing at the age of four. Dancing not only taught me discipline but took me away from the world I knew as dangerous, unfair, and unforgiving. Many of my dance teachers during my adolescence taught me that it’s not where you’re from but where you end up that matters. Yes. I love to dance! I love the way dance allows you to express yourself in more ways than one. I love the feelings it gives you when you figure out that move that you’ve been trying to get or when your family and friends stand up and applaud at the end of a performance. More so, I love the way it brightens up a child’s face or enlightens their mind.
Because of my love for education, mentorship, and youth, I knew that I wanted to provide a safe space where all dancers, no matter their gender, race, or economic background, could enjoy the love of dance. When I began BCE Dance Studio, my goal was to bring dancers from the community who may have otherwise not been able to participate in a dance program. Every year I pushed myself to find a space to call home. I instilled in my dancers that great things come to those that wait. They see the fruits of our labor now!
Has it been a smooth road?
Beginning BCE was not easy. Each year, when I would say, “today is the day,” something always happened. I initially began with 20 young ladies ranging from ages 4-17. We had no studio but merely a park to practice (and sometimes school gyms when we were allowed). I gathered young dancers from around the city and schools in which I taught. My dancers never complained; they were just happy to be dancing! I always promised them that one day we would have a space of our own and I kept fighting until I found a space. I remind them daily to take pride in the space that we have because we literally started from nothing.
We’d love to hear more about Bayou City Elite Dance Studio.
Bayou City Elite Dance Studio was founded on the principles of community outreach, education, and service. Here at BCE, we pride ourselves on ensuring that inner-city youth have the chance to experience performing arts like their counterparts, but at much lower rates. We want every dancer to have the opportunity to enjoy the spirit of dance!
As a premier dance studio in Houston, TX, Bayou City Elite Dance Studio provides dance classes to children and adults with an opportunity to explore the world of dance, to learn and develop solid technique, and to enrich their appreciation for the various forms of the performing arts. Our team of dance instructors has the experience and education to be innovative, inspiring and dedicated to providing responsible, careful, thorough instruction for all levels and ages.
I am most proud of the joy and ownership I instill into my dance students. Parents respect the humbleness our studio brings and the fact that we understand where everyone is during the times we are facing. We are distinctly different from many dance studios around the city because we cater to dancers who genuinely have a love for dance in their hearts from the youngest to the oldest. We offer EVERYTHING from youth classes to adult classes, to exercise classes, to couples classes! You name it and we have it; did I mention at affordable rates?!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I believe that Houston, TX is an amazing city to begin any business in, especially a dance studio! We have so many artists in the city and they love to showcase their skills. I would definitely recommend you start your business here. Of course, it won’t be easy due to the number of dance studios in the city, but if you offer things that set you apart from the rest, you have nothing to worry about.
Pricing:
- Youth (ages 4-9 years): $110 a month for 16 30 min. classes
- Teens (ages 10-17 years); $100 a month for 8 1 hr. classes
- Teens (ages 10-17 years); $185 a month for 16 1 hr. classes
- Teens (ages 10-17 years); $250 a month for 24 1 hr. classes
- Bayou City Elite Dance Company: $135 a month and includes unlimited technique classes
- Adult classes: $15 per class (hip hop, heels, Zumba, line dancing)
Contact Info:
- Address: 5959 Long Dr. Suite D.
Houston, TX 77087 - Website: www.bayoucityelitedance.com
- Phone: 713-401-5140
- Email: info@bayoucityelitedance.com
- Instagram: Bayoucityelite_dance
- Facebook: Fb.me/bayoucityelitedance
- Twitter: Bce_dance
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