Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Carey.
Lauren, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a Florida native, born and raised in West Palm Beach Florida. I graduated from Dreyfoos School of the Arts majoring in Dance in 2007. In 2014 after graduating from the Juilliard School (Bachelors of Fine Arts) and New York University (Master of Arts) I left New York to return to West Palm Beach and revive Ballet Florida where I grew up training and dancing as a student. Ballet Florida folded in 2009 and with that left a gap in the dance community that I felt compelled to fill. With the help of my family, we renovated my childhood home into what would be the new Ballet Florida. The front two rooms were turned into one, properly sprung dance floors were installed and the equipment was purchased.
Along side a small but powerful faculty and staff; I currently teach classes in our Academy and Adult Divisions, assist in Outreach programming and community workshops/events, choreograph pieces for the professional company and continue to perform as a dancer throughout the season. I open the studio in the morning, teach classes, meet parents, manage finances, choreograph, and I enjoy collaborating with other artists outside of the dance medium; visual artists, filmmakers, musicians. I also teach a faculty member at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton where I teach Modern Technique.
Ballet Florida is a “not for profit” organization and academy that teaches from age 3 to adults. There are about 12 dancers in the professional company, 50 academy students and countless others it’s continuing to grow. The professional company performs locally and regionally, most recently at The Norton Museum of Art, The Kravis Center, Atlantic Center for the Arts and just recently performed at the Daniel Lewis Dance Sampler in Miami. Our Season highlight performance VISION will be March 7th and 8th at The Kravis Center in West Palm Beach.
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?
It has been a learning process and I continue to be inspired by those I choose to surround myself with. I have learned to check my ego and be willing to make changes that are necessary at the moment.
Tell us more about the business.
My goal is to make dance accessible through performance, education, and outreach. Ballet Florida creates a space that encourages artists to create, learn and collaborate to form a versatile dance medium. I am proud to support and add to the dance community through my work at Ballet Florida. I believe to better the art form we need to support each other.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck, but I will say the universe has been very kind. My life and my business have been a combination of hard work, drive, failure, positivity, and vulnerability. I feel very “lucky” to be able to do what I love every day and to provide a safe and creative space for artists to flourish.
Pricing:
- Adult Open Classes $18 Drop in / $40 New Student 1 Month Unlimited Classes/ Class Packages available
- Free Open Company Class for Advanced and Professional Dancers Saturdays 1-2:30pm
Contact Info:
- Address: 218 Westminster Road West Palm Beach Florida 33405
- Website: www.Balletflorida.org
- Phone: 561-312-3115
- Email: info@balletflorida.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballet.florida/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balletflorida/
Image Credit:
Julien Benhamou
Lorrin Brubaker
Jason Nuttle
Jordan Vilonna
Tom Tracy
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