Maria, the dedicated and talented dance lover of 16, ambitiously decided to open her own dance school. She called it AMR Street Dance, and it was located at Total Fitness, next to Mutley Plain, Plymouth. For Maria, this venture is not just a business—it’s her dream come true. Like her younger self, she wants to reach young people who are struggling or feeling alone.
Maria has been passionate about dancing since childhood, recalling, “I used to dance every day – it made me feel like I had somewhere to be.” After moving to the neighborhood of Devonport in Plymouth at the age of six, she turned to dance and eventually discovered a place of refuge and strength. Now, she actively works to foster a deep sense of belonging for her students in her dance classrooms today. These classes are now open to kids up to 15 years old.
After successfully running AMR Street Dance for six months, Maria is now navigating between her responsibilities to the studio and her college education. Her determination has not gone unnoticed. Toby Gorniak, a supporter of Maria’s endeavor, expressed his admiration, stating, “To be 16 and be teaching and sharing and doing that is a huge, huge thing, so I’m just really proud of her for chasing that dream.”
Building community has always been at the core of the dance school’s mission. Maria’s top priority is creating a safe space for self-expression and fostering a sense of community among the children. “I hope it will help them socialise with other children and help them make a lot of friends,” she said. This vision is a compilation of her experiences and the transformative effect that dance has made on her life.
Maria is looking to produce more adult classes as well. This program connects communities by celebrating the beauty of dance, building awareness, and creating partnerships. It encourages people of every age—first-timers, experts, grandparents, young kids—to come out and experience it together.
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