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THE SPIRIT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013
n o e y e BUSINESS
Dance • Dance • Dance
Pearl Dance Studio Helps Kids Dance! by Denise M. Krenski
In September of 2013, a new home for young dancers was born in Port Richmond. But, for its 22 year-old owner and operator, this isn’t just a dance studio rather it is a place for young kids to find solace, friendship and do what it is that they love to do – dance, just like she did. Located at 3065 Richmond Street at the corner of Clearfield in a space that once housed a flower shop, Pearl Dance Studio is, in a sense, a replacement for owner Alexandria Karpin’s childhood home, the recently closed Children’s School of Perform-
ing Arts. “That’s where I danced for years and I didn’t really want to see it go.” To handle that loss, she did what any inspired young person would do, she opened her own studio. “I put so many years and so much effort into that studio. I didn’t want to lose that for myself and I didn’t want other kids and families to lose that either.” Luckily, Karpin wasn’t alone in her dream to open a studio. While the lease and business are in her name, it’s Karpin’s supportive parents, Anne and Stephen, who’ve helped her navigate the transition from being a dancer to business owner. “I am very lucky to have great
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Alexandria and her niece, Scarlett. parents.” They never questioned her ambition when she said this is what she wanted to do, despite her age and already overloaded work and school schedule. “My dad said: ‘you got so much out of this and even if you get one student to get out of this what you did, then I am happy to support you.’” Her mom, an office manager by day, brings her managerial skills to the studio and ensures that there is always someone there to help the classes run smoothly. Even the teachers, whom Karpin knows from her previous school, are like family. But, it’s the naming of the studio that really captures the essence of its owner. The name Pearl was coined by her four year-old niece, Scarlett, with whom she lives, because she always referred to her as Aunt Pearl. “I
The young dancers at the Pearl Dance Studio. /Photos: courtesy of
Alexandria Karpin
opened the business for her,” Karpin noted. “I will come home at 10PM and she will be up because she wanted to see her Aunt Pearl.” It’s then and there that a mini dance class will take place because Scarlett not only adores her aunt but loves to dance, too. For now, Karpin is thrilled with the turnout of students and class offerings. She already has 150 dancers attending classes. “I got lucky because the second I made the announcement that this was happening, it was all over facebook before I even told my grandmom.” While most of her students reside in Port Richmond or surrounding neighborhoods, some do come from the Northeast and parts of Jersey.
A good
Dancer
knows that the dance and the music come from the same place...
THE HEART! -Paul Bamikole
Dance instructor and owner Alexandria Carpin outside Pearl Dance Studio. Her goal here is to create a fun, spirited, and safe place for children to interact, learn, and have fun! In these early stages, the best way to find out about Pearl Dance Studio is to check out their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/PearlDance-Studio. A website is on its way. Karpin’s message to potential students: “I want [you] to come here to learn
dance, make friends and have fun!” • Pearl Dance Studio, located in Port Richmond, 3065 Richmond Street, Phila., PA 19134. https:// www.facebook.com/ pages/Pearl-DanceStudio. Email: pearldance@comcast.net.