Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Thompson.
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 have been teaching and creating professionally since the age of 16. I have always had a passion for the arts. As a small child, I was always connected to dance. As I grew up, I danced through high school. I then went on to dance for the NBA for two years. Throughout my dance journey, I found that I have a particular interest in choreographing and teaching. My greatest joy comes from finding raw talent in dancers with a burning desire to dance. I love cultivating talent and watching it blossom and grow. For the last 20 years, I have directed and choreographed in the dance community. After accumulating the experience, I opened iDANZ Performing arts Studio in Richardson Texas. My goal with iDANZ has been to create a space where no dancer is left behind. iDANZ is a safe space for all to express themselves through performing arts. I created MOM CREW, a dance team of all moms and grandmas, in 2015. At IDANZ, Mom Crew has a forever home. My belief is that all who desire to dance can do so. Dance is an expression. Dance is an outlet. I have hired staff that positively motivate our students to push to their fullest potential while nurturing their gifts and strengths. At iDANZ, we offer all styles of dance from Ballet to Afro-Beat for dancers aged 2- adult. This year, we also started a preschool program, where we teach children a full dance curriculum in the comforts of their learning facility.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As with every business venture, there comes a certain set of difficulties and learning experiences. To get to where I am today, I have had to really learn some valuable lessons. iDANZ opened in the midst of the global pandemic, COVID 19. In March of 2019, I made the decision to part ways from the dance studio I directed at, and create my own dance program. I first started renting space out of an existing dance studio. As the program grew, it became apparent that a bigger more independent space was needed to truly grow my program. This presented a huge problem. Where would we go??? I was able to find a space in Richardson that was a space that needed a lot of work. Me being me, I put my gloves on and tackled the project. We tore down and rebuilt iDANZ in 2 months. We officially opened in January of 2021. I started my dance studio with the performing company that followed me from my previous studio. As if building dance studio from the ground up wasn’t difficult enough, over the last year and a half I have had several experiences that have proven challenging. I have a heart that wants to please. In owning a business of this magnitude, I find the largest challenge to be settling in my decisions in regards to my program. I have a heart bigger than the eye can see. In business, feelings have to be put aside to gain consistency and structure. In the last year and a half, I have gained endless knowledge in how to separate feelings from business. Another challenge is juggling responsibilities as an owner and remaining passionate about your craft. It’s important to stay organized and create a team that supports you beyond a shadow of doubt so that you can continue to work in your creative space. I have been blessed with a circle of loving support and could not ask for a more attentive group of individuals. They have certainly made the challenges easier.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have danced for as long as I can walk. My daughters Cooper 9 Cadence 3 are following closely in my footsteps. I have always been known for my powerful, dynamic hip-hop pieces. However, I am actually trained in all styles of dance. This presented a particular challenge when I opened a studio because it was expected that I would only offer Hip Hop at iDANZ. I have even lost a few students due to my desire to offer a well-rounded dance program that promotes all styles of dance. I am most proud that I have been able to defy the odds stacked against me, and not only perform and compete in different styles of dance but WIN several first-place awards in those styles. I have taught the kids at my studio that with hard work, all things can be accomplished. My patience and desire to bring out the best in all that are willing is what sets me apart as a director and studio owner. I see to it that no dancer is left behind. I encourage diligence and consistency. I do not seek out the best dancers, I seek the hardest worker. iDANZ promotes individuality and freedom of expression.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Covid 19 taught me many lessons. One lesson is that everyone’s feelings are different. We are all entitled to those feelings. As a business owner, I have had to put aside my own personal feelings and desired outcomes and do what is best for the facility as a whole. It has been very difficult to juggle decision-making with the personal beliefs of different groups. We were fully masked at one point. From there, we followed the CDC guidelines as they changed frequently. We had parents not care about the guidelines, demanding that we take further precautions. We had parents tell us we were taking too much precaution and it was unnecessary. In this instance, it was impossible to please everyone. It was just best to find a healthy medium while following the proposed guidelines. Learning how to remain sensitive to others in regard to COVID was a challenge. I remember there was a feeling of nobody wins. But in the end, it all worked out. We are all safe and still DANZING!
Pricing:
- Drop-in Class $15 (Your first class is free youth classes)
- Monthly Class $65 for one class a week (more tiers of pricing on website)
- Adult Unlimited Class Pass $75/ month
- Private lessons start at $50/ Hr
- Private Parties starting at $150
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iDANZPERFORMINGARTS.com
- Instagram: @idanzstudio
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/idanzpa
