Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Yangello.
Dana, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am an actor, improviser, and ballroom dancer, located in Burbank, CA. I was born and raised in South Jersey, where my love for performing and connecting with others through dance began. I grew up in a family that was always the first on the dance floor and the last to leave. My family will always be my greatest influence and support system.
I competed in ballroom dance while studying Theatre & Psychology at Rowan University and trained at LaPierre Ballroom Dance Studio. I fell madly in love with the ballroom culture because within every style of dance, there is a story to be told and a connection to be made. When I moved to California four years ago, I knew I had to take ballroom with me in some capacity.
From teaching ballroom classes at the Y, hosting Salsa nights for company fundraisers, performing at events, choreographing wedding dances, and teaching private lessons – to virtually keeping my community dancing through these unsure times, Dancing With Dana began to grow and take on a whole other meaning in my life. My services were only shared by word of mouth until people from outside my network began to inquire about lessons. That is when I realized I might have something here that could potentially have a great impact on those around me.
Has it been a smooth road?
In early 2020, during the Covid outbreak and social unrest taking place in our nation, for months my sister, Tina, and I were left not knowing how to help or how to be a light during such dark times. It finally hit us – we did what we do best, bringing people together through the power of dance. Tina and I partnered up by combining our cardio dance programs, “Cardio Line Dance” and “Latin Line Dance”, to host a Social DisDance-A-Thon via Zoom. All proceeds from this event were donated to The Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the LA Food Bank. Through this partnership, we were able to provide a place for big hearts from all over the country to come together for a great cause. This event will always be very special to us! We are thankful for our participants, the amazing dance instructors who taught, as well as all of the small businesses from coast to coast who supported this event. In addition, all proceeds from our programs made outside of the Social DisDance-A-Thon were donated to the NAACP.
THE POWER OF DANCE UNIFIES, NO MATTER HOW DIVERSE THE CROWD.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Dancing With Dana story. Tell us more about the business.
Dancing With Dana was created to provide an affordable and fun learning environment in order to connect and equip my clients with all they need to meet their dance goals, whether it be “just trying something new on a Friday night” or preparing a dance for their big day! No prior dance experience is needed. The only things required are yourself and a smile.
Right now, things are heavily living online due to social distancing, and a special package that arose during this time is called Couples Connect. This package is intended for couples in all stages of their relationship. In any partnership, is it crucial to always grow together and lean on each other through projects, activities, and other daily tasks. Couples Connect is a chance for couples to do just that! It is an opportunity to have an at-home date night learning Salsa, Cha Cha, Bachata, and many more.
There are many options, both with a partner and without, found on the Dancing With Dana website. There are also group classes and cardio classes! Your dance experience is what you make it!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Now more than ever, our society cannot afford to lack empathy and human connection, therefore it is time to be creative and find safe ways to bring our communities back together. I truly believe that the impact and positivity that comes from these programs can serve as a vessel to slowly heal and rebuild our networks, one dance at a time. So, Let’s Dance!
Pricing:
- *Online* Couples Connect – 1 lesson $30 or 4 lessons $100
- *Online* Group Classes – $10 Per Person
- *Online* Cardio Latin Line Classes – $10 Per Person
Contact Info:
- Website: http://dancingwithdana.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancingwithdanalynn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dancing-With-Dana-102712038335543
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/danayangello/
Image Credit:
Dana Zarin Photography, Jenny B Photography
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