Dream Dance ACADEMY
by Elaine Samples
M
organ Nicole Martin is a 20-year-old college student, but in no way could she be deemed a “typical” college student. Morgan not only goes to school full time, making good grades, participating on the USC-Aiken Dance Team, but she is also realizing her lifelong dream of running her own business. Morgan began dancing at the age of just three years old, and has never put up her dancing shoes!
From the time she was a little girl, Morgan dreamed of opening her very own dance studio so she could share her passion for the art form. Her mother, Julie, always supported her every move and made her dance career possible – from driving her to classes as a young girl, putting jewels on costumes, being a shoulder to lean on when things got tough, and now as a key component and major role in Morgan’s very own studio. In July of 2011, Morgan and Julie opened Dream Dance Academy (DDA) together, with Morgan as the artistic director and Julie the office manager. DDA is Morgan Nicole Martin’s dream come true. The road hasn’t always been easy, but rather filled with many obstacles that she has fought hard to overcome and get where she is today. She forgoes the active social life of most college students in order to devote all of her time and energy into nurturing DDA. When Morgan is not in class, studying, or at USC-Aiken dance team practice, she can be found writing lesson plans, choreographing for upcoming shows, making schedules, editing music, and holding staff meetings, along with all the other behind the scene duties it takes to run a successful dance school. Above all, Morgan is working to ensure that her studio is not your average dance studio – but the crème de la crème – that
Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
Real
Women
offers so much more to her clients and the community. Dream Dance Academy offers the widest variety of dance classes over any dancing school in Aiken. DDA offers Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballroom, Lyrical, Modern, Irish, Musical Theater, Cheer Stunt/Dance, creative movement, and more. The staff is well-rounded, complete with highly trained instructors from varied backgrounds and certifications. There are all levels of classes, from recreational to pre-professional, offered for little dancers (18 months) to big dancers (adult). Morgan and her team offer more adult classes than any other studio in the area for she believes that one is NEVER too old to dance. Dream Dance Academy offers a fun and nurturing environment for students of all ages while providing the highest quality of dance education. They recognize dance will not be a career choice for most students, but still an important element in development and self-esteem. Learn more about the classes offered and how you and/ or your children may benefit from a little more movement at www.dreamdanceacad. com. We could all use a little more spring in our step, so give them a try!