Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Fanok.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Sarasota, Florida and danced with Florida Ballet Arts and The Sarasota Ballet. When I moved to Orlando to go to UCF, I decided to take a break from dance. After a long hiatus – college, marriage, kids – I decided that I couldn’t live without dance and rekindled my love for dance as an adult ballet student. Soon after, I was offered a position as a teacher and taught at that studio for about 11 years. As I was transitioning out of that studio, a dear friend of mine, James Brendlinger, decided to open an educational theater company called Penguin Point Production in the Oviedo Mall. His vision was so exciting – people of all ages could take classes in acting and singing, screenwriting, video production, musical theater, and so much more. He was also building a full working theater and a costume shop where schools, theater troupes, dance studios, etc., could come and choose from thousands of costumes to rent. As soon as he found out that I was available, he approached me about starting a dance program for Penguin Point Productions. He was already in the process of building the space – I just needed to fill it! I could teach whatever dance classes I wanted, bring in the teachers I wanted, use the theater for shows and basically run it how I see fit. So with all of that in mind, I contacted some of my favorite people, who were also my colleagues, and together, with James’ help, we started Imagine Dance Academy.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t always been easy. The business opened in August of 2019. We were steadily growing, and then March 2020 came and everything shut down. We struggled with how to run the business from there – online classes worked for a while, and thankfully we have amazing students with amazing parents who were very supportive during the shutdown and even more so when things opened back up. We came back in July of 2020 stronger than ever and it has been steady growth in the right direction since then!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Imagine Dance Academy, we have classes in many styles of dance – ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern and contemporary. We have an amazing production company called True Colors Dance Company that performs dance shows throughout the year. We have also recently started offering yoga classes one evening a week.
Beyond that, there are a few things that set us apart from other dance studios.
Growing up in the ballet world, there was a lot of body shaming. My goal for Imagine Dance has always been to have everyone feel like this is their place. No matter their shape, their size, their color – this is a place for anyone and everyone who wants to dance, to learn and to work hard. If I could describe our studio in one word, it would be Inclusive. It’s a place where we want children and adults alike to feel safe and encouraged while getting a top-notch dance education from amazing teachers who care not just about the physical well-being of the students but their mental and emotional well-being also.
We are also very proud of our Special Needs Dance Program. We accept anyone into the class, regardless of diagnosis. We are very fortunate to have wonderful helpers in this class, making sure that anyone needing extra assistance still can participate with everyone else. The joy this class brings weekly is indescribable.
We’ve also recently begun offering daytime classes for Homeschool Families and are excited to watch this program grow.
What I hear most from our families is that they love how our studio feels like a safe place for their child(ren) to express themselves freely. That our students feel supported and encouraged while being given an amazing dance education.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Professionally I would say the app I use most is Spotify, lol. Music and dance are my life and without one, I feel the other is not complete. Personally, I am currently reading the book “How To Do The Work” by Nicole LaPera and am finding it to be one of the most insightful views on mental health that I have ever read.
Pricing:
- Monthly Tuition for 1 Class – $75
Contact Info:
- Email: imaginedanceacademystudio@gmail.com
- Website: www.imaginedanceacademy.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imagine.dance.academy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imaginedanceacademy
