Today we’d like to introduce you to Tania Long.
Tania, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Wow, I would have to say my story starts when I first started dancing at the age of three. I danced from the age of three to the age of nine, when I had a teacher that absolutely broke my spirit and I told my mom that I didn’t want to dance. Until I saw dance again at the age of 13 from a particular group and I decided that I wanted to dance with them and I haven’t stopped since. I say that my story started there because I knew that I wanted to not be who that teacher was to me. I wanted to make sure that my kids (my students) always felt safe and love even those times when I need to be tough with them. From the age of nine, I knew that words had power! As I still remember that tough moment over 20 years later, I didn’t want to provide that experience to any other young dancer. I wanted to be who I needed at that age and I have made a vow to do so.
I started teaching despite others telling me that I wasn’t ready! I started with a workshop here and there and then developed into having my own program out of a recreation center. I ran that program for seven years where I started with nine students doing an eight-week session to a full dance season with three teachers running multiple classes at once. After leaving the recreation center, I was able to open my own studio in 2016 in Harford County which was near my home. We are now in year four and growing year by year.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, it wasn’t a smooth road at all but I’m sure any entrepreneur would tell you the same. It’s about what you learn along the way. One of my struggles was being too naive. I believed those who said they would help and they would do things without having a contract in place. I lost money and relationships by being naive in that way. It was tough starting without being able to get a loan to do all that I felt I needed to do. I was starting from being a stay at home mom for the most part and the first few years were tough because you literally put the money back into your business. Fear allowed me to struggle as well. I was afraid to ask for help because I felt like I should have been a “pro” at this business things just started out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Dimensions Dance Center – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Dimensions Dance Center is my heart! We are a dance studio located in Abingdon, MD. We thrive on being a dance family where both the dancer and family matters. We teach Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, AcroDance, Tap and Liturgical. I am proud that we are a studio that has a family environment. In my area, I know that I am one of very few, if any, African American owned dance studio. I felt that there was a need for that in my area. Representation matters and I am glad to be able to provide that for some of my families.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3709 Pulaski Highway, Suite 5
Abingdon, MD 21009 - Website: dimesions-dancecenter.com
- Phone: 443-515-7130
- Email: dimensionsdance16@gmail.com
- Instagram: @dancewithddc
- Facebook: Dimensions Dance Center
Image Credit:
Eric Hinson
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