Inspiring Conversations with Anna Dauphin of Dauphin Dance Center

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Dauphin.

Anna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began dancing at the age of four at The Vista Grove Dance Center in Atlanta, Georgia. As a child, I had A LOT of energy and dance was a perfect outlet for me. I loved making up dances and performing little “shows” for anyone who wanted to watch. I continued taking dance classes each week and eventually joined the dance company at my studio when I was 9 years old. This provided me with the opportunity to take more classes, perform in many different venues, and it brought me lifelong friendships within my fellow dancers. We participated in regional and national dance competitions, conventions, community performances, holiday shows, and more.

At age 15, I began working as an assistant teacher to younger dance classes, and by 16 I was teaching a few classes of my own. After high school, I continued my dance education at Georgia College in Milledgeville, GA. After my first year there, I decided to come back to Atlanta to look for more opportunities to further my dance career. I began teaching dance again at my home studio while finishing my college education at Georgia State University.

Unfortunately, soon after moving back to Atlanta, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. As an eager 19 year-old ready to jump into a dance career, I was terrified by this news. After a few months really struggling with this diagnosis, I began to shift my mindset. MS has the potential to take away a lot from your physical body, but I began to see this as motivation. I was able to gain a new appreciation for every day that I am able to dance and do what I love.

At the time of my diagnosis, I decided to take a break on pursuing a professional dance career myself and focus more on teaching. I honestly did not expect to fall in love with teaching the way that I did, but the students I taught during this time were unknowingly helping me get through one of the hardest times of my life. Their positive energy and love for dance was something I looked forward to everyday.

Over the next few years, I became more involved as a teacher and choreographer for my studio and began to serve as a choreographer for many different public and private events around Atlanta. I have always loved the creative outlet that comes with being a teacher and choreographer.

Creating something in your brain and watching it transform into life on stage is a magical experience. It quickly became clear to me that teaching dance was my passion, and I knew I wanted to make this my career. I felt like I had the opportunity to have a positive impact in young students lives through dance, and that was more fulfilling than anything else I had ever experienced. In 2017 I graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in Arts Administration in hopes of owning my own dance studio one day.

I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of amazing dancers over the years on weekly dance classes, competition pieces, audition solos, musicals, private technique lessons, and more. All of these experiences lead me to where I am today and gave me the courage to follow my dreams of owning a dance studio. In November of 2020, I established Dauphin Dance Center and began my first year of studio ownership.

I have been incredibly lucky to have the support of my students, family, and friends throughout the first year of establishing this studio. We began our second dance season in August of 2021, and I am so excited to see where this next chapter of life will take me. It is my goal as a teacher, director, and studio owner to share the joy that dance has been bringing me since I was a child to all of my students. I hope to bring happiness, confidence, and great friendships to every dance family that comes through our doors.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a new business in the midst of a global pandemic definitely brought many unique challenges. We held virtual classes over Zoom for many months. Last year, the dancers learned 95 percent of their recital dances virtually. We had one month of in-person classes to put everything together, and they performed a beautiful in-person show. I was truly inspired by those dancers’ ability to adjust and stay committed to something through such difficult circumstances.

We’ve been impressed with Dauphin Dance Center, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Dauphin Dance Center is a traditional dance studio offering classes to students ages 3-18. We have weekly classes in a variety of dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, lyrical, pointe, and musical theater. We also offer private voice lessons for students ages 8 and up.

At Dauphin Dance Center, we strive to create a fun studio environment while bringing high quality training to dancers in the Atlanta community. Our experienced and dedicated staff of teachers help each student gain technical dance skills, build confidence in performing, and express creativity through movement. Our dancers will create lasting memories and gain valuable experience through classes, camps, and performance opportunities throughout the year.

We are proud to offer a positive outlet for young minds that will instill discipline, confidence, and creativity into all of their lives.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe the key to success is keeping a positive outlook and being open to growth. I have a lot more to learn, and I am open to that process. Creating a positive experience for my students and dance families is the greatest measure of success for me, so I will continue to try and grow in ways that can facilitate that type of environment for them.

Contact Info:

• Email: dauphindancecenter@gmail.com
• Website: https://dauphindancecenter.com
• Instagram: @dauphindancecenter
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dauphindancecenter
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dauphin-dance-center-tucker?osq=dauphin+dance+center