Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Christensen.
Brandy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began dancing at a young age stomping on the rodeo barrels in my grandparent’s backyard. I continued my love for dance and movement as a cheerleader in Jr. High then on to Dance Company and Drill Team in High School.
However, during my Senior Year in High School, I was involved in a serious car accident that nearly took my life and my leg. Through extensive physical therapy and hard work for two years, I was finally able to continue dancing and made my way to audition for the Utah Jazz Dancers. Throughout my 8 years on the team, I choreographed and performed numerous halftime routines and had the opportunity to perform at many local events as well as the European International Basketball Championships where I choreographed halftime and time-out routines. I also performed in the ceremonies for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.
For the past 25+ years, I have worked with several drill teams, dance studios, cheer teams, and soloists across Utah and have been an adjudicator at many state and national dance competitions. My passion for dance and teaching led me to open Starstruck Studios Dance & Tumbling; a studio geared towards helping children and teens discover the best in themselves through dance. Since its opening in 2008, Starstruck has grown tremendously and has provided dancers with the opportunity to learn in a welcoming and constructive environment. I was the head coach for the Weber High School Drill Team from 2014 – 2020 and enjoyed being able to work with so many dancers both in the studio and at the High School. I am also an Accredited Interscholastic Coach (AIC) for the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS).
I am so passionate about my family, health and nutrition, and helping people discover the best in themselves. I am a wife and mother of 3 beautiful children, two of which are also dancers and my son is a sports and horse fanatic. I have loved being able to work with so many studios, directors, and dancers through Starstruck Dance & Tumbling as well as Starstruck Dance Competitions (another company I own), and hope that dancers will continue to feel inspired and motivated to continue pursuing their dreams as they work and dance within our studio family.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been smooth. Bumps and scuffs along the way have made us stronger and better prepared to handle the reality of the children we help through dance and movement.
We have been able to help so many kids feel loved and have a place to go to escape some of their own struggles in life.
We have a challenge now with finding and securing new space for our growing studio since the city is planning to tear down our building this coming Fall 2023.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think I am most known in our little dance studio family for teaching technique, the SupaStars, and our Tiny Toes.
These little kiddos are my favorite to work with and I have a knack for understanding and helping the littlest of our family friends at Starstruck. I am proud of my studio kids but MOST proud of my own kiddos that also strive hard to achieve their goals. I feel they have seen their dad and I work on our businesses and that makes them work hard on their little adventures too.
The thing that sets us apart from others would be the FAMILY atmosphere we provide to all our students and friends that enter our facility. We continue to be modest in dress, style, music choice/selection, and costume choices. We believe we have created an atmosphere for kids to learn, grow, make mistakes, and improve their self-esteem, self-discipline, and overall achievement to grow into great little humans.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Hang in there. It is SO HARD.
And probably most of all, find a MENTOR that is someone you can look up to, someone you can go to for advice that understands your business. Coordinate with people that are like-minded and help you to strive to be better. People that will help you build your dreams instead of tearing them down. Find those that make you better.
Contact Info:
- Website: Starstruckstudios.net
- Instagram: @Starstruck5678
- Facebook: @Starstruck5678
- Youtube: @starstruckbrandy1
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/starstruck-studios-clearfield-2
Image Credits
Susie Campbell Photography
