Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen DeBenedetto.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kristen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
MMCD began as a healing space. I returned to teaching after taking sometime to be a stay home mom. once my son was in school I needed my own healing. I found that as always dance heals the soul in ways that are unexplainable. I had re found my passion! I set out to create a safe place of creativity and healing through movement. That led me to Autism Movement Therapy. A brilliant fusion of therapy and dance to re connect the hemispheres of these special dancer’s brains. Then I wanted to do more! I wanted to build community through dance and the mixed ability class was born. Dancers of all abilities learn together and from each other. I look forward to expanding the program one unique dancer at a time.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh it’s been far from a smooth road. Becoming a single parent and single woman throws your world upside down. Finding the strength to channel that fear and sadness into something positive I had always longed to do was so powerful. Logistically it was difficult as well. We had a great space under another company to grow but lost the least unexpectedly and had 24 hours to vacant! The path to our new home was full of ups and downs, do we rent, open our own studio? Etc. but the universe knew what it was doing and I found a great non profit studio I could rent from and help out their cause at the same time. Win win for everyone!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are the only Autism Movement Therapy provider in the Santa Clarita valley. I saw a lack of dance programs in this valley for dancers with disabilities. There is only one other all ability class up here that I am aware of. I am most proud of the connections these dancers make. Just last week I had two dancers dance together, not with an aid or parent, and really connect. It swelled my heart. The hugs, smiles, and trust I get from my all ability dancers is immeasurable. Their faces might light up when they walk in the studio but my soul lights up seeing them blossom!
What were you like growing up?
I have always danced. From going to watch my mom take class to putting on mini performances for my family to formally starting my training at age 5. I loved playing outside, pretending, and building things but the dance studio had my heart. When my parents divorced I threw myself into dance. The studio saved me. I was a young teen lost in the middle of what I didn’t understand to be my parents most difficult time. I lived at the studio: 7 days a week and twice on Sunday! I worked in the office and taught my own classes at 15.
The family I had in that space shaped me into who I am today. I was lost. They wouldn’t let me go. They focused me and loved me when I didn’t understand what love was. I want to give that to my students of all ages. Dance heals.
Pricing:
- $15 per class drop-in
- $50 for the month (1 class per week) paid on the first week of the month
- $25 one time one per family registration fee
Contact Info:
- Address: Spotlight Arts Center
23502 Lyons Ave.,
Suite 101, Santa Clarita, CA 91321 - Website: www.mindfulmovementcenterfordance.com
- Phone: (818) 489-5542
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Mindfulmovementcenterfordance
- Facebook: @mindfulmovementcenterfordance
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