Recital: 'The Ultimate Dance Playlist'
by Ryan Garza | The Flint Journal
Sunday May 31, 2009, 12:33 AM
Ryan Garza | The Flint Journal
Dancers from L&L Dance Studio of Grand Blanc are silhouetted while waiting on the side stage as a dance group performs "You Raise Me Up" Saturday at The University Theatre of the University of Michigan-Flint. The recital titled "The Ultimate Dance Playlist" was put on by L&L Dance Studio
Dancing Revelation:
Local woman opens dance studio
By Kelly Skarritt
VIEW Staff Writer
BURTON ’Äî Soon after Grand Blanc resident Kara Hajek, 21, graduated from Central Michigan University, she realized finding a job in Michigan would be, as everyone had told her, incredibly difficult. Not wanting to leave the state ’Äî and hoping to work at something she loved ’Äî the broadcasting major turned to her love of dance and the sympathies of a local church pastor to help her start her own business.
Hajek, who graduated from Goodrich High School and interned at ABC-12, said she didn’Äôt know what she would do to make a living until she met with Bruce Billing, pastor at Phoenix United Methodist Church, to discuss arrangements for her upcoming wedding.
As Hajek spoke to Billing about herself and the things she enjoyed doing, her love for dance flowed out. It wasn’Äôt long until Billing realized there was something he could do to help.
’ÄúWe have a lot of space here and maybe we can work something out,’Äù he said. After discussions with the church leaders, it was decided that Phoenix would rent their fellowship hall to Hajek to hold dance classes ’Äî L&L Dance Studio became a reality.
As Hajek began planning, she soon realized it would take a lot of time, money and effort to get her business off the ground. Thankfully, she received a lot of help and some financial assistance from the church. The more Hajek worked at opening the studio, the more she realized this was meant to be. ’ÄúRight now, dance is my passion. I think that’Äôs where God’Äôs leading me.’Äù
Hajek has been dancing for most of her life and minored in dance at CMU, where she danced with the CMU Orchesis Dance Company. She has more than 11 years of dance experience in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern and hip-hop dancing, and recently taught a dance class at Hurley Health and Fitness Center.
She found her experience with Orchesis to be invaluable. ’ÄúThe students choreographed most of the dances and they were really different,’Äù said Hajek, adding she was not fond of modern dance until she took the time to learn it. ’ÄúIt’Äôs something I got a lot better at and I’Äôve learned to appreciate.’Äù
Beginning Sept. 10, Hajek will start teaching classes to a variety of ages: ballet, tap and jazz classes are Mon.-Thurs. for kids ages 6-7, 8-11 and 11-14; and a ’ÄúCreative Movement’Äù class, designed for kids ages 3-5, to introduce children to dance by giving them a lot of leeway. ’ÄúYou can’Äôt be too strict or they aren’Äôt going to like dance,’Äù Hajek said.
On Fridays, she plans to teach salsa and is open to teaching hip-hop and adult couples classes if there is enough interest. ’ÄúIf the need comes, maybe I can do a Saturday class,’Äù said Hajek, who also wants to eventually offer waltz and liturgical classes.
Hajek said she will take on new students until the end of September. L&L Dance Studio is at 4423 Genesee Rd. To schedule a class, call Hajek at 810-962-2433 or e-mail ballerinakara17@aol.com.
L & L Dance Studio earns regional awards
by Elizabeth Lowe | The Burton News
Friday April 03, 2009, 5:57 PM
Submitted photo | The Burton News(Back row, from left) Kara Meier, Heather Phan; (Second row, from left) Taylor McLaurin, Marisa Thakady, Taylor Wakerley, Jennilee Bologna; (Front row, from left) Alaina Groskreutz, Paige Hajek, Caitlin Nolff, Elizabeth Griwatsch, Ariel Marks. The students, from L & L Dance Studio of Burton, won two awards when they competed last month against dancers from Michigan, Ohio and New York at the Emotions Dance Productions regional competition in Clarkston.
CLARKSTON, Michigan ’Äî Two local troops danced their way to victory during a regional competition last month.
The dancers, of Burton's L & L Dance Studio at Phoenix United Methodist Church, competed against troops from Michigan, Ohio and New York during the Emotions Dance Productions competition.
The event was held March 21 at Clarkston Junior High School.
The "mini" troop of dance students ages 6-8 won second place in their age group.
And the junior troop of dancers, who range from 9-12 years old, earned the "Jazz Hott" award, "for performing one hot jazz number," said Kara Meier, the studio's founder and artistic director.
"It was their first competition," said Meier, proudly.
"They did great."
The Burton News extras
L & L Dance Studio:
’Ä¢ Opened in September 2007 by owner Kara Hajek, 22, who has taught dance since she was 15, the studio currently offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, modern, pointe, liturigical, salsa and swing. About 55 children and adults are enrolled in classes four days a week. More classes may be added next year, Hajek said.
’Ä¢ Hajek graduated from Central Michigan University in 2007 with a minor in dance and performed with the Orchesis Dance Company of Mt. Pleasant.
’Ä¢ L & L Dance Studio is located in Phoenix United Methodist Church, 4423 S. Genesee Road, Burton.
’Ä¢ Details: (810) 962-2433.
Opening the church doors to a business is a way of ministering to the community in a church that's seen a host of changes since originally opening more than a century ago.
"We prayed that God would help us utilize the facility here," said Billing.
Hajek, who had attended the church as a child, met Billing after graduating in 2007 from Central Michigan University with a minor in dance. While planning a wedding at the church, she shared her dream -- of opening a dance studio -- with the pastor.
"I said, 'What about the possibility of opening a studio here?" said Billing. "Her eyes just brightened up."
"It didn't even cross my mind," Hajek said. "This is absolutely perfect and we're able to help them out, too, by bringing people in."
Hajek has helped with the church's monthly children's event, coaching children in dance. Her students also can participate in liturgical dances during Sunday services, an expression of emotion that is shared with worshipers, Hajek said.
"It's not a big art form but it really is a neat thing to add to a Sunday service. The church enjoys it and the kids love it," said Hajek.
Combining the studio with the church isn't about money, said Billing, who said the church collects just enough rent to pay extra utility bills.
From the 1970s to about 2002, the dance studio was the site of a nonprofit day care. Moms now watch siblings play and help tie dance shoes in a carpeted area that formerly served as a day care laundry area.
Another building receives low rent from a resident with severe health issues, while a pavilion and playscape out back are open to community members for graduation parties.
Last summer, church members conducted an informal door-to-door survey, asking residents to share their needs and promising to pray for them.
They hope and pray their caring attitude is infectious.
"I think there's this spiritual desire within us to have a relationship with someone who is greater than ourselves, to have a relationship with Jesus Christ," said Billing. "I think younger people are yearning for this and beginning to come back and get their children involved."
L&L Dance wins $5,000 award
Studio to use prize money to set up scholarship fund
BY AMANDA BRANIECKI 810-452-2647 abraniecki@mihomepaper.com
GRAND BLANC ’Äî For the next five years, L&L Dance Studio in Grand Blanc will be helping financially strained families send their children to dance classes.
Recently L&L Dance owner Kara Meier said her studio entered into a ’ÄúHow would you spend $5,000 Contest and Promotion’Äù hosted by the dance Company, Capezio.
Although Meier could have entered the contest looking to improve the studio or pay for advertisements, she said L&L Dance wanted to come up with an idea that would better the community as a whole.
With the economy taking its toll on many, Meier said they formulated a concept where they would use the $5,000 to set up a scholarship fund to help families who are experiencing financial difficulties.
Meier said for the next five years, they will be picking two students from those that apply and awarding them each a $500 scholarship.
’ÄúWe could have used the money to do repairs to the studio or a number of other options,’Äù Meier said. ’ÄúOur building is just a building though, I’Äôd rather invest (the money) in children’Äôs dance.’Äù
Returning dance students and new students are welcome to apply for the chance to win the scholarship. Those wishing to apply are asked to send in a 300 word essay that includes why the individual is deserving of the scholarship and any financial hardships the individual is experiencing by Sept. 9. Essays may be sent via e-mail to Meier at lldancestudio@yahoo.com or mailed to 4423 S. Genesee Rd., Grand Blanc.
’ÄúIt is exciting to be able to offer these children and their families an opportunity like this,’Äù Meier said. ’ÄúWe were one of five studios given this award in the nation. The fact that we were chosen is just incredible.’Äù
The money awarded to L&L Dance by Capezio is followed by the news of two L&L Dance students receiving scholarships to further their dancing. Earlier this year, Katie Schramm was awarded a $500 scholarship from Harlequin Dance Floors and Makayla Brown was awarded a scholarship to attend Chicago National Association of Dance Masters for the summer intensive.
Meier also said there are other scholarship opportunities coming available for L&L Dance students.
For more information contact Meier at 810-962-2433. A list of classes offered is available at www.LLDanceStudio.com.
Photo provided Julia Greenlees, 9, is pictured at the front of the line. GRAND BLANC ’Äî Julia Greenlees, 9, from L & L Dance Studio has received a scholarship to study in Chicago this summer. She was accepted by Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and will study under Matt Farmer, Cheryl Faiser, Tracy Davenport and many more world-class instructors.
She was chosen among hundreds of applicants. ’Äî
Dance studio brings home honors
Members of the L&L Dance Studio team that competed at the Emotions Dance Competition recently. GRAND BLANC ’Äî L & L Dance Studio, 4423 Genesee Rd., Grand Blanc, attended the Emotions Dance Competition and received two Golds, one High Silver and a first place. Two groups competed ages 8-12 and 18 and up.
They competed against dancers from all over Michigan and Ohio. They did an amazing job, said a studio spokesperson, adding ’Äúthese experiences help to make them better performers and ready for our June 5-6 recital at the U of M-Flint Theatre.’Äù ’Äî G.G.
Dancing Miracles: Burton studio offers special class for special dancers
By The Flint Journal October 02, 2009, 10:00PM
BURTON, Michigan -- For dance instructor Kara Meier, it started with a ’ÄúGod wink.’Äù
For nine young people with special needs and disabilities, it started with toe touches, stretches and poses in ballet positions -- just the basics of a beginning dance class. Which is exactly the point, if you ask Jaime Baum of Mundy Township, who proudly watched daughter Maria, 5, move across the floor at Phoenix United Methodist Church. For a time, Baum had wondered if this ordinary rite of passage would remain out of Maria’Äôs reach.
’ÄúTo see your little girl finally get to take a dance class, it’Äôs a really special moment,’Äù Baum said.
Special for Maria, too, as she watched herself in the studio’Äôs full-length mirrors and called out, ’ÄúClap for me, guys!’Äù
This was Dancing Miracles, a new class that Meier, 23, dreamed up with co-instructor Heather Phan, 24, at L&L Dance Studio. Their goal? Give kids of all abilities the same chance to shine.
’ÄúJust because their body is holding them back, that doesn’Äôt mean they can’Äôt dance,’Äù Meier said. ’ÄúBeing able to move is so good for them, and for everyone.’Äù
In May, Meier and Phan, both of Grand Blanc Township, had let a 6-year-old student perform in her wheelchair after the girl broke her leg just a week before recital. They watched as the other dancers, improvising, circled around the girl.
They danced to ’ÄúI Believe’Äù and LeAnn Rimes singing, ’ÄúI believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows ...’Äù
’ÄúThe audience, they were in tears,’Äù Meier recalled.
And the seed was sown for Dancing Miracles.
But Meier said God first winked ’Äî giving her divine direction disguised as coincidence ’Äî much earlier, in 2007.
Fresh out of Central Michigan University with a degree in broadcasting and a minor in dance, Meier had stopped at church in dance clothes after teaching at a local studio. Her pastor asked if she’Äôd ever thought of opening her own studio: A rental space was available upstairs.
Now, after three seasons, Meier said L&L keeps growing, with 130 students from age 2 1/2 to around 40 ’Äî including those whose conditions include autism, Down syndrome and physical disabilities. All this is not just chance, she says.
’ÄúThis is what I’Äôm meant to do.’Äù
Dancing Miracles, which began Sept. 19, meets for a half-hour each Saturday, leading up to recital in June if all goes well. Meier has an eye out for funding that would defray the $30 a month charge per student.
’ÄúWe know the parents have enough costs as it is,’Äù she said.
Class starts with a touch of chaos as moms and students circle up on the floor with Meier and Phan.
Meier’Äôs done her homework. She knows teaching will be different: more concrete directions and less imagery, more ’Äútap your toe’Äù and less ’Äúwalk like a mouse.’Äù
But first, 3-year-old Addison Middleton of Grand Blanc, who has autism, cries in the arms of her mom, Angela.
Student Katie Namenye, 22, of Davison Township, so gleeful she can’Äôt sit, clamors for Meier’Äôs attention so she can show off her pink slippers. Looking on, her mother, Sharon, recounts that Katie ’Äújust screamed with excitement’Äù when told she’Äôd be going to dance class.
Order begins to set in after warmups. Ten minutes in, the students take turns gracefully crossing the floor, arms above their heads.
Among them is Icee Pierson, a tiny 7-year-old from Burton who has a prosthetic leg and a passion for ballet.
’ÄúI can twirl, but not without my walker,’Äù she had declared while waiting with her mom, Paula, for class to start.
But the walker, with its pink Disney Princesses basket, is left behind as Icee strides, bright eyes lifted, from one wall to the other and back.
Addison, too, crosses the room, held in her mother’Äôs arms and drawing applause when she reaches the far wall.
Not bad for the first day of class.
Middleton hopes the social interaction will be good for Addison, who’Äôs shown an interest in movement.
’ÄúShe likes to dance around kind of to her own beat,’Äù Middleton said.
Other parents express similar hopes.
’ÄúI think it’Äôs going to give her confidence and independence,’Äù said Baum, Maria’Äôs mom, envisioning the class as a place where Maria can feel ’Äúsafe to be herself.’Äù
For her part, Meier wants life-changing experiences for her new students, none of whom she knew before the first class.
’ÄúI don’Äôt know if the kids are more excited or the parents,’Äù Meier said.
With all of the smiles and picture-taking after class, it’Äôs hard to tell.
Regardless, everyone leaves with the same food for thought, hand-painted on the door leading outside:
’ÄúWhy walk through life when you can dance through it?’Äù
Special Request:
A dance studio caters to children with disabilities.
By Ebony Franklin
Flint Journal-Reporter
When Kara Meier, 23, of Goodrich opened Laughs and Love Dance Studio three years ago, she knew the possibilities were endless.
Still, she never dreamed of the inspiration she would receive from her students ’Äî including her newest venture to offer Dancing Miracles, a class for special needs children.
Her inspiration ’Äî a little girl who broke her leg a week before a dance recital this year.
’ÄúHer mom called and said she was so upset that she wouldn’Äôt be able to dance and asked if there was something I could do,’Äù Meier said.
Still wanting the little girl to participate, Meier arranged for her to be on stage in her wheelchair.
’ÄúIt was really touching because the other kids were very accepting,’Äù Meier said.
’ÄúAt one point they danced around her in a circle, and it was unrehearsed.’Äù
Beginning in September, those who wish to dance but need special assistance will be offered the opportunity.
Not only will they be given the opportunity to perform in a recital at the conclusion of the nine month class, they will also be given the opportunity to attend lock-ins, homecoming parades and Christmas performances with children who do not have special needs.
’ÄúWe’Äôre not trying to make money off of this,’Äù Meier said. ’ÄúJust make a difference.’Äù
Meier hopes the class will provide children with the opportunity to achieve things they never thought possible, build their confidence and give them a caring environment in which to socialize with other children.
’ÄúDance is my passion and I know there are kids out there with the same passion whose bodies are holding them back,’Äù Meier said.
The dance studio, connected to Phoenix United Methodist Church, is wheelchair accessible.
’ÄúWe develop great dancers but we do it with care and love,’Äù Meier said.
Students may register for Dancing Miracles by calling the studio at (810) 962-2433 or visiting the Web site at LLDanceStudio.com
The classes are coed and will be on Saturday afternoons. The cost is $30 per month.
Phoenix United Methodist Church, L & L Dance Studio form perfect union
by Elizabeth Lowe | The Burton News
Thursday May 15, 2008, 12:28 PM
Elizabeth Lowe | The Burton NewsKara Hajek (center) coaches tiny ballerinas during a beginner's dance class, assisted by Marissa Cramer, 12, right. Hajek opened L & L Dance Studio in Phoenix United Methodist Church last year.
BURTON, Michigan -- Little girls in pink tutus jump and pirouette across a worn wooden floor that once lined the old sanctuary of Phoenix United Methodist Church.
The room still houses Sunday School classes and coffee hour at the church but come Monday, the floor echoes with the sounds of music and tap shoes as L & L Dance Studio, opened last year by instructor Kara Hajek of Grand Blanc.
It's a peaceful coexistence, said the Rev. Bruce Billing, also known as the pastor of Atherton United Methodist Church.
Dance Scholarship
Katie Schramm, a sophomore at Grand Blanc High School, has been dancing since she was very young and started this past year with L & L Dance Studio, 4423 S. Genesee Rd., Grand Blanc. Katie received a full scholarship to study at the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters this summer. She will get to study with Master teachers such as Judy Rice, Jeremy Plummer and many more. Katie is pictured center with friends Kara Meier, left, and Heather Phan.
Ryan Garza | The Flint Journal
L&L Dance Studio dancers Jennilee Bolgna, left, 11, of Grand Blanc and Taylor McLaurin, 11, of Flint, get ready backstage before performing "Fly On The Wall" with their group Saturday at The University Theatre of the University of Michigan-Flint. The recital titled "The Ultimate Dance Playlist" was put on by L&L Dance Studio of Grand Blanc.