GOOD NEWS: I am opening a studio in my town.
I am tired of renting and getting pushed around everything someone forgot about scheduling me in (again!), or decided they want to add a class right at the time my class is at. And I always keep the exact same schedule so it’s not like I change things up all the time on them. I understand that it is better for the studio owner to teach classes than rent the space, but I have only been in this little town teaching for 7 months and have already moved 2 times! And prior to that, 5 times over 4 or so years.
So, I weighed my options, and decided I am opening a dance studio in my town. It will be primarily for belly dance of any shape form or fashion. I already teach 4 classes a week and don’t want to teach more, but since studio space is so hard to come by, I already have 3 other troupes/teachers committed to renting space from me, and I am trying to also find a yoga and/or Pilates teacher as I would like this to be a place that not only teaches dance but also incorporates other forms of movement that relate well to dance and overall health.
We should open September 1. I have done the research, am in the process of getting all my legal ducks in a row, and can’t wait to announce it to the community (outside of the other dance instructors). We have a hafla this coming weekend and I want to hand out flyers announcing our Open house Hafla on September 5, and the class schedules thus far.
BAD NEWS: I am at a loss for a name! We have had a couple of brainstorming sessions at my house with some of my students and my hubby to try to come up with a name. a Whiteboard and lots and lots of liquor was involved. Still, nothing that STRIKES me as the right name.
I rather like these:
1. Inner Joy Dance Center
2. Enjoy Movement Studio
3. TriDevi Dance Center (but a bit religious sounding and maybe too obscure for a small town)
4. Fireweed Dance Collective (also like how this rolls off the tongue, but sounds like a commune)
5. Devis and Divas Dance Center
Some guidelines:
I want a name that is not exclusive of any of the forms of dance (we have ATS/ITS, Tribal Fusion, Egyptian, American Cabaret, and Belly Dance for Fitness). I don’t want to be exclusive of Yoga or the Pilates class, but think that since DANCE is fundamental part of the offerings, it warrants a possible part of the name.
Fireweed is a flower found here, and Fireweed Dance collective runs off the tongue nicely, but it also sounds like a hippy commune to me. So, that is out too.
I live in Alaska, and lots of things are named for the Native culture or natural surroundings, but I don’t want any animal names (no “Dancing Moose Productions†please!) Also, no Aurora Borealis (it is overused by troupes and businesses alike), and most people, including me, can’t spell borealis anyway! “Northern Lights†is already used for a ballet school in town and I don’t want repetitive names.
I like the word “studioâ€. Or “dance centerâ€. Collective makes me think of the Borg, and while I love Trek, I don’t think I want to name my studio collective anything.
I have asked on facebook, and not got much help there.
So, anyone care to help?? ? I don’t publish most of the comments made on my blog since most are SPAM, but if I recognize your name, or your URL is not a spammer site, I’ll approve it, and then consider your suggestions for my studio!