Today we’d like to introduce you to Anacia Weiskittel.
Hi Anacia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Degas Dance Studio opened its doors in 2009 at the height of the recession with big dreams and no room for failure.
Our goal is to inspire and teach the ART of DANCE for children ages 3-18 from beginning to adv. pre-professionals.
To ensure top foundational training from the ground up and help every student achieve their personal goals.
Since then our studio has been recognized with prestigious awards such as Outstanding Studio, Professionalism, and Versatility awards. Our students have been National Young Arts Winners, Music Center Spotlight Honorable Mention, and Semi-Finalists as well as several Ventura Blvd. Magazine Top Teens.
We have alumni students dancing all over the world in top Universities and Conservatory programs including Codarts Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Copenhagen Contemporary Dance Conservatory in Denmark, Ailey Fordham, USC, Boston Conservatory, Columbia, NYU Tisch, University of Michigan, Vasser, Peabody at Johns Hopkins and more.
Many are working professionally in the industry or have used their skills to help them be successful in whatever they set their minds to achieve including Doctors, lawyers, business executives, finance, education, marketing, Psychology, Journalism, and other industries. They will all say that dance helped them tremendously to build life skills including time management, work ethic, discipline, creativity, confidence, goal setting and strong character values, and a community of supportive like-minded individuals that have helped them be successful.
In 2021 we opened our second location in The Netherlands Degas International Dance Academy. Here we also host international summer intensive for students from all over the world. In addition, we have started the process to franchise our studio. Our goal is to give other studio owners the tools they need to be successful and create a community of entrepreneurs that support and build each other up.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been some serious challenges from new business start-up mistakes, trial by error, and opening in a recession, to surviving through Covid. This was a continual pivot ball change. Being adaptable and having a strong supportive community was the only thing that kept us alive during these times. Living in Los Angeles and being considered a gym we had some of the strictest regulations in the country and world. We also wanted to make sure our families stayed safe and healthy. Within a week of our studio being closed, we moved to online training.
When we were allowed back into the studio we set up strict cleaning protocols, stars on floors to separate students, HEPA air filtration systems in every room, and temperature checks at the door. Then regulations tightened again we built two outdoor stages in the corridor of our complex.
The students danced for 8months in 115-degree weather and 42-degree weather. We carried tumbling mats, sound systems, and ballet barres back and forth daily. When we couldn’t do live productions we created dance films. We even saved our Nutcracker by filming on a green screen using Unreal Engine digital software. It took a big toll on me emotionally and physically. During Covid, I think people gained a lot of clarity and it gave them the strength to make big life changes. It was also part of what helped us make the decision to move our family to The Netherlands and open the International studio. I feel through all of these challenges I have earned a Ph.D. as a Dance Studio Owner and Small Business CEO. It is my goal through the franchise to help mentor and guide other studio owners to not make the same mistakes and help them survive the challenges that come along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Degas Dance Studio and Degas International Dance Academy?
Degas (pronounced Dey-Ga) was named after the French famous painter Edgar Degas who was known for painting dancers. We felt the name closely related to our philosophy and mission to teach children through advanced pre-professionals “The Art of Dance”.
We have our original location in Encino, CA., and a second location Degas International Dance Academy in The Netherlands where we also host an International Summer Dance Intensive with students from all over the world. We are in the process of providing franchise opportunities to support the next generation of dance studio entrepreneurs.
We have to build a tried and true recipe for success generation after generation that we want to share this knowledge with the next generation of dancers, choreographers, directors, and studio owners.
Degas Dance Studio is a training and performance-oriented studio with pre-professional opportunities and career guidance. The focus is on technique and artistry. Our studio offers the highest level of instruction for recreational students Ages 3 to High School teens and accelerated Academy professional training for our team students. Degas Dance Studio and Degas international Dance Academy faculty consist of top industry professionals many of who teach master classes all over the world. We have handpicked the best of the best in each style so our students get a really well-rounded and diverse study.
Many people have a hard time categorizing our studio. I would say we are not JUST a classical ballet studio, we are NOT just a competition studio. We are creating, inspiring, educating, and empowering well-rounded ARTISTS to explore and discover the ART of DANCE and all of its possibilities.
We are training and empowering students to find and use their unique artistic voices. Creating the next generation of artists, dancers, choreographers, and directors.
Building life skills like self-motivation, discipline, time management, work ethic, goal setting, and teamwork will help them be successful no matter what they choose to do in life. While creating cherished memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Running two locations one from another Country is only possible due to my incredibly strong team, support staff, exceptional faculty many of which who have been with me for nearly 10yrs and a wonderful community of families.
We have a lot of full circle moments from alumni students that are now faculty, to faculty that now have kids dancing at our studio and long-lasting friendships. It’s truly beautiful to watch generations of people grow as dancers and as people and to say you played a small role in their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.degasdancestudio.com, www.degasinternationaldanceacademy.com
- Instagram: @Degas_dance_studio and @Degas_International_Dance_Acad
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/degasdancestudio
