Fundraiser for Kip Martin: Save His Studio

Dancing Through Hope: A Story of Kip Martin and His Studio

When I first walked into the little ballet studio tucked away on s small block in Philadelphia, I was nervous—maybe even a little terrified. I’d been to so-called beginner classes before. They always promised, “No experience necessary!” only for me to feel like an outsider the moment I entered the room. Everyone else always seemed to already know what they were doing. The instructors usually focused on the more graceful and coordinated students, leaving me—and people like me—lost in the back, awkward and self-conscious.

But this time, something was different.

The reason was Kip Martin.

Kip greeted me with the warmest smile, the kind that instantly disarms your fear. His energy was so full of joy that it seemed to spill into the very air around him. And when class began, it didn’t matter how well you could move—or if you couldn’t at all. Kip didn’t just say, “This class is for everyone.” He truly meant it. He made every plié, every tiny step feel like a triumph. He celebrated progress, no matter how small. Under his guidance, I didn’t feel like an imposter. I felt like I belonged.

And that’s what makes Kip extraordinary. He isn’t just a ballet instructor; he’s an encourager, a community-builder, someone who sees the beauty in trying and the dignity in learning. His studio became a safe space for people of all ages, ALL skill levels, all backgrounds—a rare and precious thing in the dance world.

But life, in its cruel unpredictability, forced Kip to slow down. He's been undergoing cancer treatment and it has meant his needing to step back from the work he loves. And without Kip’s full presence, his beloved studio—the very heart of this inclusive little community—is now in danger of closing.

And yet, even in this difficult time, Kip is choosing joy. He’s choosing hope. On August 2nd, from from 12-5pm, he’s hosting a Block Party Fundraiser right here in Philly. It won’t just be a fundraiser; it will be a celebration of everything Kip stands for—community, resilience, and the sheer joy of movement.

If you’ve ever wished for a place where you could show up exactly as you are, where you wouldn’t be judged but instead encouraged to take up space, this studio is that place. And if you’re anywhere near Philadelphia on August 2nd, I hope you’ll come. Come for the music, the dancing, the food, the laughter—but most of all, come to keep this beautiful dream alive.

Because people like Kip Martin, and studios like his, deserve to keep shining.