March 14, 2017

Meet Angie Clark and Shanda Eskew of ImPassioned Dance Centre in Stockbridge

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angie Clark and Shanda Eskew.

IDC is co-owned by Shanda Eskew and Angie Clark. These two begin as student and mentor/teacher some 11 years ago. Shanda trained under and assisted Angie for many of those years. As time went on, they both found themselves teaching in other studios but there just seems to be a calling for them. They both had a dream. To own their own studio.

The opportunity presented itself for both of them to make the move to open ImPassioned Dance Centre in June of 2015. It came at perfect timing and I believe that God set the wheels in motion for these two women to come together and create this studio. But not just any studio. They wanted not only to provide the best in dance education but to mentor students as well. They work tirelessly and joyously to inspire dancers not only to reach their highest potential as a dancer but to mentor and provide a place where students learn self-respect, respect for others, work ethic, teamwork, responsibility, self-confidence, sportsmanship, tolerance, patience, honor of self and others, empathy, the list goes on.

IDC started their first year with only ten company students, all different ages and levels. Ten dedicated students, their parents, grandparents and a staff determined to create a winning team. They wanted students to take pride in themselves, their accomplishments and each other. This group became a family. They poured everything they had into training, hard training. We are proud to say, not only did this family make a winning regional team in ten months, but the Senior Company consisting of only six students are NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPIONS for Hall of Fame National Dance Competition. All of this in one year of training with IDC. Our students excel academically, they mentor our younger dancers, and they volunteer in many community projects. It takes a village to raise a child. Our dance family has gone above and beyond with this team.

I have witnessed new students walk through IDC’s doors defeated and in a few short weeks staff and teammates have built a fire in them, lifted them up and given them back the desire to work, to advance, to believe in themselves and to be a part of the team.
I have watched baby dancers achieve more than what was expected of their age because staff, students and parents work together to make the studio a fun learning experience filled with love, laughter and a trust that IDC cares about every child that walks through their doors. – Angie Clark

Shanda and Angie began dancing at a young age. Their love and passion for the art of dance just continued to grow through the years. But it was the love of teaching dance, their love of children, and their desire to make a difference in a child’s life that makes this studio unique. I expect this studio to continue to grow with the love, support and dance education that Angie and Shanda dedicate to their students, dance family and dance education.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Opening last year with only about 25 student’s total, we struggled to make ends meet. Our facility is a wonderful size, however, it is built from a warehouse space, so our back studios where our company dancers take class does not have any air. During the summer months it is terribly hot, but that does not stop our dancers from pushing through and working hard on a daily basis. Our dance families are wonderful, they have stuck by us through all of the hardships and growing pains. It has not been an easy road. However it is through struggle that you learn.

Please tell us about ImPassioned Dance Centre.
Impassioned.

And

Empowered.

That’s the heart of IDC.

Many studios have incredible dance instructors and/or choreographers. There are some amazing studios and dance programs to consider when choosing where a child will spend many hours learning the art of dance. What sets IDC apart from other studios?

IDC is a premier studio, located in south metro Atlanta, committed to teaching the comprehensive fundamentals and techniques of the art of dance.

At IDC we offer beginner through advanced dance training.

IDC teaches at a recreational level that is definitely fun and without pressure. However, dancers in the recreational classes are taught proper technique and dance terminology along with coordination and memorization so that they will advance to possess all the skills necessary to join IDC’s dance company should they choose to do so.

At the company level, IDC prepares its dancers to have the confidence to dance at an advanced level, both competitively and ultimately professionally. Our instructors are highly qualified and have extensive training and experience in the classroom, conventions, and competition circuit.

More importantly, IDC embraces and cultivates the love of dance! Our instructors care not just about teaching dance, they genuinely care about their students. There is a bond and respect that uplifts students to reach for their highest potential because they trust their instructors and as a result trust the process of exploring each new level of skill. Students learn discipline that helps them to succeed in dance, and that discipline and success will also permeate into other aspects of their lives.

There is also a strong camaraderie forged among our students. IDC dancers are encouraged to support their teammates, as well as dancers from other studios, in all interactions. IDC company members are held to high moral and ethical standards as they serve as mentors to our younger dancers.

Your children will be exposed to a wide variety of disciplines of dance and guest teachers. They will have the opportunity to frequent conventions and dance under some of the most famous and talented teachers in the dance world.

At IDC we are confident that you will not find any other dance school that offers a comparable program to empower your child. Our instructors not only instill in your child the art and joy of dance they also mentor and inspire your child to become the best that they can be.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory would probably be the day I realized that I wanted to dance. I was 4 years old at an outing with my mom. There was a dance studio performing there that day as entertainment. I watched in amazement at those girls up on that stage, once they were finished, I tugged at my mom’s pant leg pointed at the stage and said loudly, “I wanna do that!” and the rest is history!

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