Help us open Austin Movement Academy

Hello, my name is Emily Karnes (known as Miss Emily to many). I am starting this fundraiser with the vision of creating a new dance studio, Austin Movement Academy.

After the unfortunate closing of Slavin Nadal School of Ballet and Capital City Ballet, we all feel a void in the dance community. I miss seeing all of my students so dearly, and I know everyone is eager to be dancing again.

This is where Erica Santiago comes in. Some of you know that I am a company member/dancer/performer/sometimes teacher with Shakti Moves Dance Company, a well-established and artistically thought-provoking dance company. Erica is the Artistic Director of Shakti Moves, and I have invited her to direct the modern dance department within the school. We are on the way to combining the SMDC and Austin Movement Academy officially under the existing 501c-3 nonprofit status that SMDC currently operates under. What this means is as we get on our feet as an organization, we already have an established adult performance company directed by Erica Santiago, we will create a youth company directed by Emily Lofton, and the Movement Academy will be directed by myself, Miss Emily! We have worked closely over some months to build a plan to put our vision of this school to fruition. Our intention is to build a new dance school that provides the same high-caliber classical ballet training our students have been used to, as well as the fundamentals of modern dance and mind-body awareness. We want to be clear in offering a build-your-own program to give you the freedom to decide which tracks you choose to take part in, as well as encouraging a multidisciplinary approach where both these techniques can coexist and be mutually supportive in producing well-rounded, healthy dancers. In my college training, I had a big awakening in my ability to enhance my artistry and ballet technique by training in other forms of dance... modern dance being the most notable.

OUR VISION:

We want to be able to provide Austin with an alternative experience in the dance community that encompasses Ballet and Modern Dance at a prestigious and cohesive level, in an inclusive environment. We will offer pre-college programs such as music for dance, dance history, anatomy and kinesiology, choreography and partnering. We plan to expand on this over time. We will offer ballet, modern, partner dancing, yoga, pilates, meditation, and mindful movement classes for children and adults. Guest artists will be brought in for seasonal workshops and intensives. We'll have hair grooming classes at the beginning of each semester and stage makeup classes before performances. In addition, we will offer classes for actors such as movement for actors/stage combat and improvisation that your dancers will be welcome to take as supplemental classes to create that well-rounded artist who desires to participate in multi-disciplinary arts experiences. Our goal is to train technically proficient dancers who are grounded in the wellness practices that keep their dancing life physically mentally and emotionally balanced as they advance in their learning and life practice.

SHAKTI MOVES MISSION AND VISION: Shakti Moves Dance Company empowers the feminine to support the holistic well-being of the community. We focus on gender inclusion when creating interactive workshops that teach our somatic movement technique, and curate performances that interweave yogic science and artistic expression. Shakti Moves Dance Company’s vision is to uplift and transform the feminine into a collaborative equitable community that utilizes yogic science and artistic expression.

Here is where you come in! What we are building is for the community, to enrich and provide arts education. And we need your help! First, let me tell you about the really exciting developments that are in play as we speak:

We found an AMAZING space that is within a giant artists' space. The studio space is called Good Dad Studios. It is located off I-35 right by Oltorf. Because the studio is so close to the highway, it is a 15 minute commute from all directions of the city. The wonderful thing about this space is that it is run by artists focused on the need for affordability for the arts community. Most of their tenants are small studio artists, but they have a few larger areas for a commercial lease, and this is where we are aiming. The space we want is large enough (1,779 sq ft) for 2 studios, and a lobby/office. It has private entrances and exists, access to plenty of restrooms (Including showers!), a kitchen, a lounge area, and pretty much a free art gallery when you walk around. Plus, lots of parking!

WHAT WE NEED:

WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE:

ACCESSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY:

One of the most important things Erica and I have on our minds, especially considering the artists' space we are working with is inclusivity and accessibility to the community. We wish to offer scholarships, sponsors, and hopefully sliding-scale options for our programs. I would not have been able to receive the dancing training I did in my youth and college, had it not been for scholarships, and I know the importance of recognizing affordability needs in our community.

PERFORMANCES:

Many people decide they want to dance in hopes of performing live someday. We have high hopes to create multiple performance opportunities throughout the year for children and adults. Not only yearly recitals but seasonal performances as well. Shakti Moves will also certainly be performing, and I know firsthand because I dance in these performances, they are not to be missed!

STAFF:

As I mentioned before, I will be directing the Academy as well as teaching ballet as you have been used for the last 6 years. Erica Santiago will direct the modern dance department, with Emily Lofton as artistic director of the ballet department.

This is just to start, but we have some wonderful other instructors lined up, as well.

In a meeting yesterday, I heard someone say "There are a lot of great ideas, but most of them don't make it because these first steps are the hardest. You have to take that first jump, then you can focus on doing what you love." We have learned a lot about what it takes to build our dream, and we understand that it is not easy. We are 100% committed to serving this community and creating something INCREDIBLE.

On behalf of Erica Emily L. and myself, I want to thank you for taking the time to read through all of these details. By partnering with other movement educators and artists, and operating in a space that supports the arts community, we can make the most of our resources. We have worked steadily to get to the point where we have enough information to be able to reach out to you and clearly ask for your support. We have been looking into ways to acquire start-up capital and as you probably know, these avenues while available, will take time. As you are also aware, the market for space in Austin is very competitive. We have been given so much support by Good Dads Studio to reach our goals, but time is of the essence! ANYTHING you can donate towards getting us into this space moves our students closer to continuing their dance training in a new and exciting learning environment and is a tax-deductible donation. We have big goals, and we are aiming high because we know our dancers are worth it!