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EDUCATION: Lauren: Graduated from Massaponax High School in 2001 and George Mason University in 2005 with a degree in government and dance.
KK: Graduated in 2002 with a B.A. in dance and a minor in technical theatre from the University at Buffalo. Was a member of the UB Dance Company--the Zodiaque Studio Dance Ensemble for two years.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? L: A dance teacher!
KK: I wanted to do anything with the performing arts--but mainly wanted to have my own dance company.
FIRST JOB: L: Dance teacher assistant.
KK: Gymnastics coach.
WORST JOB: L: Working in sales at a hotel. I found out quickly that I am just too much of an introvert to succeed in basically any type of sales environment!
KK: Sales associate at a clothing store. I simply found the environment not creative enough.
HOW DID YOU END UP OWNING INSPIRE DANCE? When we first began working together we quickly realized we had the same fundamental views on how dance should be taught. At that point, we decided to open our own facility so we could build an awesome modern-based, college-preparatory studio. We are currently very happy with our curriculum and the progress our students have made over the past five years since opening in 2006.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB NOW? What we love most about our job is seeing the progression each year from all our students. At our end of the year recital, it always astounds us to see how much our students have grown as dancers and how hard they work as performers.
WHO WAS YOUR MENTOR? WHAT'S THE BEST ADVICE HE OR SHE EVER GAVE YOU? L: Kay Hearton. Always point your foot whenever it leaves the ground and always plie when you land!
KK: My mentors have to be all of my collegiate dance professors. Each and every one of them molded me into the business owner, choreographer and teacher I am today. I still use their little catch phrases with my kids.
HAVE YOU EVER WORKED WITH A NOTABLE PERSON OR CELEBRITY? IF SO, WHO? Combined, we bring over 36 years of dance experience including collegiate training with many dance companies including Jose Limon Dance Company, the American Ballet Theatre, the Doug Varone and Dancers Company, the Bill T. Jones Dance Company, Tap Dogs, The Martha Graham Dancers and the Alvin Alley Dance Company.
More recently, we have taken master classes with Mandy Moore, Debbie Dee, Courtney Galiano, Frank Hatchett, Ray Leeper, Melody Lacayanga, Raymond Luken, Doug Caldwell and Gregg Russell.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? We want to be watching our current students perform in college or with a dance company. We also would love to be guest choreographers for some of their dances!
ON THE WEB: inspiredance.com
--As told to Craig Schulin
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