Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Boldt.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lori. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always loved and been involved in dance and theatre. My friends all had visions of moving to LA or New York and pursuing performing careers, but that just didn’t feel right to me. It wasn’t until I taught my first dance class to a group of 5-year-olds that I realized “This is my calling: to teach!” After college, I began teaching full-time around the Metroplex.
As I taught a variety of classes to a variety of ages at a variety of studios, I gained insight into how studios functioned, what worked, what didn’t work and developed ideas on how it could be done better. I was passionate about treating dance teachers well, providing a modest/conservative dance environment, and making dance classes FUN first. My ideas propelled me to open The Dance Movement in 2003.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The last fifteen years have been relatively smooth, thanks to the Lord’s grace, and some blood, sweat and tears. The first several years I taught over 30 dance classes a week and handled much of the office work myself. But as the studio grew, incredible people starting showing up and I kept adding great staff. Once I learned to let go of the need to do everything myself, I realized others had gifts to do some things way better than I ever could have! And when my two children came along, I was definitely ready to cut back the hours.
My husband and I always dreamed big for our studio and took a few giant leaps like buying our own plot of land and building our own building five years into the business. I am thankful we did, although it is not always easy being your own landlord. When things break, there’s no one to call and fix it but yourself! We suffered through one nasty plumbing problem that took almost a year to diagnose and fix and over $10K.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Dance Movement story. Tell us more about the business.
I own The Dance Movement, a dance studio that offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, musical theatre, contemporary and Pom for ages 2-teen. We are known for our conservative music, costumes and choreography.
One thing that sets us apart from other studios is we have several programs to offer a dancer, from Impact Competition Co, Fusion Performance Co, Mini Movers Pre-Company, Movers-n-Shakers Pom Squad, to Wingz Tap Co. There’s a place for everyone at The Dance Movement, whether they’re looking to take a beginner hip hop class once a week or train for a professional career in dance. I’m most proud that was can juggle all these unique programs under one roof.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in “luck,” but rather in God’s purpose in my life. Whether good things or bad things happen, I trust that they are all part of God’s plan. I have had both, like any business, but I think things happen for a reason. Maybe to teach us, maybe to test us, maybe to reward us, maybe to do things far greater than we can imagine. Childrens’ lives have been changed for the better inside these walls, and I cannot take credit for that. That is divine intervention.
Pricing:
- $55 Annual Membership Fee
- $65/mo. tuition on a 45 min class
- $75/mo. tuition on a 1 hr class
Contact Info:
- Address: 10301 Custer Rd. Plano, TX 75025
- Website: thedancemovement.com
- Phone: 214-509-9000
- Email: info@thedancemovement.com
- Facebook: The Dance Movement
- Twitter: @tdmplano
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
