Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Nuno.
Hi Karla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Karla Nuno, and I moved to the United States from Mexico at the age of 15. I began dancing at the age of 8 at a dance school in Mexico. Upon relocating to the United States, I sought out a dance school where I could pursue my passion. After a few months, I found a studio that would soon become my second home. Over the years, I dedicated myself to dancing, spending 10 hours a week in practice and eventually becoming part of the competition team. It was during this time that I was offered my first job as a dance teacher, marking the beginning of my lifelong career.
I taught at my first dance studio for about 7 years, three of which I commuted from Los Angeles as I pursued further education and teaching experience at The Dance Center in Beverly Hills. Continuing my journey, I was offered the opportunity to become a studio director for our second location. This role provided invaluable insight into the operations of a dance studio.
However, everything changed drastically when COVID-19 emerged in March of 2020. In response, we made the decision to transition to Zoom dance lessons and temporarily close our physical doors. After a few months, I observed a growing demand for outdoor, socially distanced classes. Seizing this opportunity, I founded Danzone, offering classes in parks, backyards, and pods. The initiative quickly gained traction, meeting the need for children to remain active and engaged during uncertain times.
As word spread about my classes, the demand grew, prompting the expansion of Danzone into a full-fledged business. Today, with a team of three instructors, we offer lessons in Beverly Hills, Silver Lake, and Culver City. Danzone continues to thrive, and we are excited to announce our inaugural dance recital on May 19th, 2024.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road, starting during COVID-19 times, which created unstable and unsure circumstances for Danzone. Since our lessons began during the pandemic, classes sometimes had to be canceled due to exposures, weather, and other unplanned situations. Even as we put the pandemic behind us, struggles persist, such as finding the perfect location for our upcoming studio. I believe what has made this journey so special is that we have stayed together through all that has happened over the past few years. This has forged incredible connections with our dance families.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Danzone is a dance experience with no fixed location yet, but soon to come. As the director of Danzone, I want to create a space where dancers can be themselves and express their feelings and emotions but also have connections and friendships with other dancers in the community. Creating a space where kids feel comfortable is important as a dance teacher, making sure questions can be asked and they can truly feel themselves.
I believe that Danzone continues to stand today due to the connections we have made with our students, teachers, and community. We do not only give dance lessons, we create and entire experience.
What do you think about happiness?
Seeing my dancers grow makes me happy.
Watching them mature not only as dancers but also as children, teens, and young adults fills me with excitement. I am eagerly anticipating their showcase of talents in our upcoming May performance
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danzonebykarla.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danzonebykarla/
