HIP HOP beats rumbling through the walls of a small, galvanised shed in a Mount Gambier industrial estate marked the start of Hype Dance Studio a decade ago.
While the studio has made its mark on the stage, outgrowing its original space, expanding its staff and providing specialised training are among its greatest achievements over the 10-year period.
Now headed by young businesswomen Kim Cella, Paris Ackland and Keana Soper, the studio has flourished into a prominent part of the South East’s performing arts sector.
Launching the enterprise in 2009, Ms Cella remembers dust “flying around everywhere” as she was forced to vacuum the original studio’s floors every day.
“Each time we would practice, we would hear the trucks outside and the vacuum cleaner basically lived in my car,” she said.
“At the time people were not completely behind me opening up a studio as they did not think the town needed another.
“They obviously did not realise what the point of difference was going to be.”
Ms Cella said she grew up dancing from five years of age and always knew she wanted to teach.
“I basically liked playing with choreography and whenever I would have friends over we would be making up our own dances,” she said.
“This gradually led into teaching with my main goal to eventually open my own studio.
“My main focus was to pay for classes by the week as there was not a lot of money rolling around at the time and I wanted people to have options.”
Ms Cella said the studio developed as dancers wanted to pursue different avenues.
“Moving from the shed to where we are now was always a risk but the enrollment day blew me away,” she said.
“I had no idea there were so many people interested in dancing or that people even knew who we were.
“Now we are basically at capacity and it is amazing how far we have come.”
HIP HOP beats rumbling through the walls of a small, galvanised shed in a Mount Gambier industrial estate marked the start of Hype Dance Studio a decade ago.
While the studio has made its mark on the stage, outgrowing its original space, expanding[/caption]
Going into business without any expectations, Ms Cella said she aimed to fill a gap in hip hop dance alongside other genres.
“We now offer everything from hip hop to jazz, contemporary, ballet, acrobatics, lyrical and wedding dances,” the young businesswoman said.
“We are able to do a lot more now as there are three of us.
“Beforehand we were being asked to support community events but were unable to and now we can.”
Tasting success off the stage, Ms Cella recently received the 2019 South East secondary school VET teacher/trainer award.
“It is great we are able to give kids credit for outside of school efforts they are passionate about,” she said.
“Two-and-a-half years ago I was already looking into it when a teacher suggested the certification would help a student pass Year 12.
“It was basically the driving force and I thought, ‘well if there is one student who needs my help, there must be others out there’.”
Doubling in numbers during the second year, Ms Cella said the training had proven successful so far.
Ms Soper and Ms Ackland are new to the business, signing on as studio directors just over six months ago.
“I think our main aim is to become more involved in the community,” Ms Ackland said.
“For me, the Take The Stage competition was probably one of my biggest achievements and has taken up my time since day one.
“We are hoping to grow both the competition and studio even more.”
Ms Soper said she was grateful for the opportunity after not knowing what to pursue post-high school.
“I always loved art and dance and did not think I would be able to do anything with it,” she said.
“I thought I would have to go to university to do a teaching course.
“But the opportunity just fell at our feet and since then I have been able to develop a merchandise line and use all the skills I am passionate about.”
