Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Kemp.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Heather. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I had long since put my performing days behind me. I thought fondly of them now and then as I was raising my two beautiful adopted daughters, who were truly miracles in my life. I had an unfulfilling corporate job, but it offered a nice salary.
During this same time, my mother became ill with lymphoma. I felt a tugging at my heart and heard a small inner voice telling me I was meant to do something else; something that would make a difference. I ignored this voice for a while as fear of change took over.
In my mother’s last days, I watched as there seemed to be fear and regret in her eyes, unlike the peace you hear so many others talk about during a loved one’s last days. She was not able to speak, but I sensed it.
The voice inside me grew stronger. Every time I turned on the radio as I drove to work, I could picture children dancing. I started choreographing each song in my mind. I thought back to my days as a dancer, spending four to five hours a day, six to seven days a week in class and rehearsal. Although it was hard and sometimes grueling, dance was part of my soul. When I danced I felt close to the heavens, and I could express myself in ways that I couldn’t with words. However, there was and is a dark side to the dance world. Regardless of how much you want it, how hard you try, or how good you are, if you don’t have the perfect dancer’s body, you will only go so far. I learned this firsthand; I was not tall enough, and my legs were not long enough to ever go all the way to the top.
My heart felt shattered and empty, as dance was all I knew or wanted.
I was blessed, though, to have two teachers that steered me into the world of musical theater. It was then that I soared. I discovered I could sing a little, act, and my dancing certainly paid off. I had a very successful career in musical theater until I stopped to have my family.
After my mother passed away, I thought about that voice inside me, and I knew that at the end of my life, I did not want fear overtaking faith, nor did I want to look back on my life with what ifs and regrets. It was then that I decided to open a dance studio where students could get the very best training from the very best teachers, regardless of how tall they were or how long their legs were. It wasn’t about the perfect body type, but about how much they wanted it. I wanted dancers to be able to belong to a company that would lift them up and let them soar. I wanted them to also learn to give back with their time and talents, and to know the joy in doing so. Each performance would be for a worthy cause in the community, or a person or people in need. That was the beginning of Sandy Springs School of Dance and Performing Arts, where our motto is “Dancing for good, performing with purpose.” I will not let them say “I can’t;” it’s “can you please show me how.” There is no dancer I will give up on as long as they don’t give up. We are all a part of a big dance family. No student is just a number. They have names and hearts and are all unique and special. My hope is that they not only learn to dance with their bodies, but with their hearts.
I have been given riches of the heart that could never be bought or sold. I listened to the small voice in my heart, and without regret, have never looked back.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This process has had a few struggles along the way. The biggest has been really getting the word out about our school and where it is. The lack of permanent signage plays a huge role in this. I built the studio in the top floor of the Hitson Activities Center, which houses the SSUMC preschool, a school aftercare, a huge gymnasium and many other activities, primarily sports. Most of these activities are 6-12 weeks. Although Sandy Springs School of Dance and Performing Arts is its own entity and a full-fledged business apart from the church, due to city ordinances and church mandates, we have not been allowed to have our own sign outside the building. It’s hard thinking of how many people pass by every day not knowing where we are. If you see a new restaurant sign pop up you say ” Hey, maybe I’ll stop in there and try it!”. Signage is one of the most powerful marketing tools you can have. However, we are fortunate, that our many happy families have spread the word, but different marketing efforts still need to constantly vamped up.
The dance season runs from August to May. It is not a seasonal sport. Many well meaning parents want their children to be exposed to varying activities and hobbies after school that are more short term. They want their children to try dance, but then often switch activities 6-12 weeks later before a child has a chance to develop a passion or drive to go further in dance. Fluctuating class sizes, income, and often teacher positions is a result.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Sandy Springs School of Dance and Performing Arts story. Tell us more about the business.
Sandy Springs School of Dance and Performing Arts has dance classes for ages 3 to adult. Whether you want classes for pure recreation or if you want to dance on a company or competitive level, we are there to nurture, teach and inspire. We have classes for all levels and ages in ballet, jazz, pointe, contemporary, hip hop, musical theater, and are now adding acro.
I make sure I hire the best teachers in the industry who have had years of experience teaching. I require that they have been professional dancers and hold a degree in dance. They must be able to teach varying ability levels and ages. While teaching technique is extremely important, they must also believe in our philosophy of really knowing our students and lifting them up. Teachers must have a vested interest in each child, instead of just going through the motions to pick up a pay check. Children are motivated by different things, and it is our job to determine what they need from us as teachers and as mentors in life, values, and the art of not giving up but giving back. It’s about more than just dance. They have to feel special because they are. I take pride in creating an atmosphere of joy, and you see this when they perform.
We like to keep our class sizes small so that everyone gets a good deal of correction and attention. If a class has ten or more we typically have two teachers in the class.
Lastly, we do not go strictly by age in placing a dancer in classes as many studios do. That could hold a dancer back, and also lead to boredom and frustration. Instead we look more at ability and potential to place them.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
As far as a definition of success: I think it can be best summed up by the words of a director I once had.
He told me that true success is doing what you love doing and making a living at it.
Contact Info:
- Address: 85 Mt. Vernon Hwy., 3rd Floor, Sandy Springs, GA. 30328
- Website: www.sssdpa.com
- Phone: 770-722-1513
- Email: sandyspringsdpa@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sssdpa
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