Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Curtis.
Hi Angela, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I had studied ballet for most of my life. I was asked by a neighbor to teach her daughter how to dance. My parents allowed me to use their basement for a studio and I began teaching at the age of 14. The agreement with my parents to use their home to teach was that I would use the money earned to pay for my own training. After graduating from high school and starting college I was offered a position to teach for the School of Ballet West. This was a great opportunity to increase my knowledge and develop my teaching style. When the school closed for a brief period, I decided it was time to move my little basement school to a new location. That was the summer of 1989. I started my own school. We are now in our 36th year of C & C Ballet. I have a non profit Ballet Company and 300 students. I am grateful for the many years of growth as a teacher and the many students who have come through the doors.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been some challenges along the way. I had a partner that left and started her own business. I had challenges of finding spaces to rent. Moving to a new space, and finally purchasing a space. Covid was a very fun time as well. I had to think outside the box to have a performance at the end of the year. We rented a portable stage and had a program in the parking lot of our building. It was something that made it possible to survive the storm.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Dance is a visual art. Art in motion. We get to create the pictures through movement, lighting, costumes and music. I have my training in classical ballet and this is my strength. I can teach small children through adults, to learn how their bodies move and to create beautiful movement. My school is known for creating dancers that have amazing technique and can take this training on for future learning throughout their lives. I am proud to be teaching 2nd generation of dancers.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I do not consider myself to be a risk taker. I did have to have confidence that I could even start a ballet school and make a go of it. My dad used to ask me when I was going to get a real job. He never considered that working for myself was a real job, but he was always my biggest supporter. Whenever I needed floors built, mirrors hung, scenery made. He was always there to support me. The community support of our projects has been an inspiration to keep doing what we do. We bring joy and beauty to our community. This is why we do it every day.
Pricing:
- 45 min class $47 per month
- 60 min class $57 per month
- 2 day a week 60 min class $90 per month
- 3 day a week class 90 min class $135 per month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://candcballet.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candcballetacademy
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/candcballet
