BURBANK, Calif. – In all dance classes, there are instructors and students.  Only right now, they can’t be in the same studio. Luckily dancers are known for being flexible and in this case, the staff at Garri Dance Studio had to pivot quickly.

Megan Baade is the owner of the dance school which has been around for 62 years. She bought the business 17 years ago, but her history with the studio goes back a lot further.

“I’ve been here since I was 2 years old," she said, "So this studio is going to continue on. No matter what life throws at us.”  

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Baade and her staff were making contingency plans even before Burbank schools announced they would close. A few days before the safer-at-home order was put in place, they met at the studio to record roughly 150 videos of digital classes to keep their students on their toes.

“I just think with so much uncertainty right now, it’s really important for us to give our kids a sense of normalcy," Baade said. "Keep them learning.  Keep them dancing, moving, getting those wiggles out and just having fun, and being light and bringing joy into their homes.”

Garri Dance already had a foot in the digital space. Teachers in their music program, like Ana Beatriz, would offer one-on-one video instruction for students who needed a make-up class.  All music classes are now shifting online as well, in many cases personalized and complete with some good advice.

 

 

 

“Do not forget to wash your hands at all times, okay,” Beatriz reminded a student named Lucy while recording her lesson.

“At least we can still keep them on their schedule," she explained after the session. "If they are practicing two, three times a week for half an hour, they can still have that.  Just looks a little different.”

This is unchartered terrain for the school but Baade is determined to make it work, to continue to offer instruction and prepare the students for the recital that is still being planned for June.  She hopes her families won’t bow out before then.

“This is our livelihood," she said. "These teacher have dedicated their lives to our students and their families and we’ve got to keep this going for our families and our staff. This is a very interesting time but I’m really confident we’re going to get through this all together.”

And get through it the only way they know how….one step at a time.