Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhonda Notary.
Hi Rhonda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Columbus, Ohio. My mom, who was not a dancer, put me in dance at age three because she noticed every time she would turn on the music, I would immediately start dancing! I did not dance competitively until I was in high school and soon realized this was my passion and my calling. I began auditioning when I was 16 years old and dreamed about moving to New York and being on Broadway. My parents fostered this passion and would drive me to New York once a month so I could attend auditions.
Once I graduated high school, I packed my bags and moved to New York. I auditioned for a bit and was offered a National Tour and soon after, booked the Rockettes. I was a Rockette for ten years until I met my husband Terry Notary and moved to Los Angeles. Terry and I have 4 children, 3 of whom are dancers. Like their mom, my three girls fell in love with dancing and soon started dancing competitively. The competitive dance world can be really intense so I spent a lot of time at the girls’ studio helping out. I was soon asked to run rehearsals for their studio. It was during this time that I toyed with the idea of opening a studio of my own.
In 2017, my former business partner and I opened The Industry Dance Academy and in 2018, we moved to the Oxnard Street location. This past year, I took over the business in its entirety.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say that the greatest challenge has been dealing with the pandemic.
Many of the dance studios in the area did not survive COVID and ultimately, shut down. We were extremely lucky to have an amazing staff as well as fantastic parents who went above and beyond to keep the studio open and clean.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What sets the Industry apart from other studios in this area is that we are a Pre-Professional Program with an outstanding faculty who have not only been active in the dance world but are also experienced teachers. We have a 10,000-square-foot studio that is state of the art, complete with theater-grade, suspension floors.
However regardless of all this, what sets the Industry apart, is its focus on the WHOLE dancer. We believe in training our dancer’s bodies, minds, and spirits – from injury prevention and longevity to balance and teamwork, we take pride in training our dancers’ from the inside out.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Effective and reciprocal communication is essential to the success of any business, but it is critical when working with students and their families.
You need to have the ability to not only listen to students and parents alike but also to really hear and acknowledge their values, opinions, and concerns. This is something I strive to work on every day!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theindustrydanceacademy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theindustrydanceacademy/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-industry-dance-academy-sherman-oaks
Image Credits
Lauren Anderson, Dizzy, and Mike Murphy
