A Short and Sweet Four Years Later . . .

By Tara Behnke

Just four years after moving out of Coastal Dance’s first location (a three car garage in Shell Beach), Coastal Dance & Music Academy will be expanding again to better serve the community.  With this move, CDMA will be afforded the ability to introduce additional instructors and programs as well as extended hours.

Coastal Dance & Music Academy will soon be leaving its (just under) 3,000 square foot building and, in early 2012, opening the doors to its new home - A 7,600 square foot state-of-the-art facility in Grover Beach. Complete with three dance studios, three private lesson rooms, a group music/theater/voice room, a fitness room and much, much more, busy families in the Five Cities area will benefit from CDMA’s extended hours, additional programs and convenient class times.

Located at 1030 Huston Street, Suite C, Coastal Dance & Music Academy's new location will allow for several exciting new additions; not only will CDMA continue to be Home of the non-profit Coastal Chamber Youth Ballet Company with artistic director Molly McKiernan, it will also be Home of Sorcerer Productions, an amazing local Theater Company with the fabulous Natalia Berryman as an addition to CDMA’s amazing staff of 22 plus.

Our music department is expanding to include drum lessons such as Bucket Drums and the DAD program (drums and disabilities), trumpet, violin/viola, along with CDMA’s already outstanding voice, keyboard and guitar programs.

CDMA will be including new classes specifically for local junior high students, which start at 2:45pm, and classes to fit the kindergarten age student’s schedule.  CDMA’s new Fall classes such as Sing and Dance with Miss Teresa, Partnering, Contemporary Pointe, Zumba, and Strength and Balance will continue along with all of the "old" favorites.  CDMA will also be implementing a Teacher Training Certification Program in which students will learn how to become successful class assistants, teachers, and choreographers. This program will also include a section on how to interview well and students will prepare an hour long class for their final project.

CDMA's mission to provide dance, music, theater and fitness students with a nurturing, family atmosphere, which is technically based, age appropriate, and develops self-confidence and self-esteem will continue - Filling the gap in arts education, fulfilling the lives of local youth.

The GRAND OPENING at CDMA's new home will be announced soon...

*Photos copyright Brent Freeby Design.

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Let The Construction Begin!!!

By Tara Behnke

As the sun set for the last time in 2011 and cheers roared in Time Square while the ball dropped with the world watching, Coastal Dance and Music Academy welcomed 2012 with open arms . . . actually several open arms and with heavy loads! 

The expansion project for Coastal Dance and Music Academy started the new year off right and at a smoother pace, with much anticipation, excitement and hard work. From internal structural work and preparation to moving hundreds of panels of sub flooring up two flights of stairs, CDMA is pleased to say that demolition has moved full force ahead into construction! 

What was once the cold, empty shell of an old business is now the start of something amazing. New spaces are being created, 8 foot mirrors have been lifted through the ceiling into the future space of Studio A, and furniture and decor have been ordered. Although there is much to be accomplished, we are so fortunate to have such a talented, driven and flexible team. Without the dedication of our Architect, Brent Freeby, and Contractor, Brian Campbell, this project would still be only a dream. 

This project has been a new experience. I’m not going to lie, at times, Kathy and I have been uncertain that what we are creating is the right thing to do at this moment in time. Brent and Brian have been there to push us toward the finish line, helping us to realize that what we are creating is immeasurable and necessary. They have helped us to see that they, along with many, believe in us and what we are creating. It has been a scary but very exciting journey - with the latter immensely outweighing the scary parts. The vision of the final product is the force driving us all.

Thank you to all who have supported this project!!! It definitely takes a village :)

The GRAND OPENING at CDMA's new home is tentatively set for some time in April.

Hello Drywall!

By Tara Behnke

3/13/12

The countdown has begun... With less than one month away, the reality of CDMA’s move has started to set in. The phrase, “So much to do, so little time” has somehow become Kathy and my motto... along with our incredible office staff.  Fortunately we are blessed to have so many wonderful volunteers just itching to help us as the big day quickly approaches. Again, this could not be done if it were not for this greatly appreciated help.

Last Tuesday while at CDMA’s current location, I could not help but stop to reflect for a moment. The building had been the most crowded I had ever seen it. There were families and children, teens and adults, literally squished into every nook and cranny of the building - sitting, standing, maneuvering around each other... was I in the middle of some kind of mosh pit?  While walking the crowded hallways (or trying to) I took a deep breath and thanked my lucky stars that Kathy and I had anticipated and started planning for this expansion several months ago. What if we hadn’t taken the leap, head first, into our decision to move to a larger location? Where would we have put every body? How would CDMA have continued to provide the best performing arts program on the Central Coast without any space?  We wouldn’t have been able to do it. This is when I remembered a few simple words of advice that I am so glad Kathy and I took to heart... “Risk more, reflect more, live on after.”  These words continue to ring in my mind.

While CDMA’s current location is starting to resemble that of a well attended rock concert, CDMA’s new Huston location is taking shape... HELLO DRYWALL!!!  With the drywall up and ready and with painting next on the agenda, the spaces at CDMA’s new home are starting to come to life!  What was once just a picture in our heads is now an unreal state-of-the-art facility.  It is beyond exciting to actually visualize our CDMA family walking the hallways and spaces of the new building (without running into each other, imagine that! :) 

Kathy and I are thrilled to present CDMA’s new home on Huston St. to our current students on April 9th when we open up for classes (just after our week long spring break). The GRAND OPENING celebration has also been announced . . . Sunday, May 6th from 1pm to 4pm.  Here CDMA will host fun activities for the kids, dance performances, class demonstrations, raffles, the band “Birdie” will be performing and Coast 101.3 will be having a radio broadcast. Special discounts will apply to students who register for summer camps at the Grand Opening! (more details will be announced soon). This event will be fun for the entire family... so spread the word!!! (Come on, I know you know what Facebook is!) What a monumental event for art education right here in our own community! Art education has slowly been pushed to the sidelines or has disappeared completely from many schools around the Country. We at CDMA are here to embrace the role art education plays in facilitating positive developmental outcomes of children... We are here to stand up for our youth, our future... We are here to display the joy, love, appreciation, respect, discipline, camaraderie, and just plain art that can make all the difference in the lives of all people.  We at CDMA are here.  

CDMA’s GRAND OPENING on Huston St. Announced!

05.06.12

1pm - 4pm

(save the date)