New Dance Studio Embraces All Abilities, Opens In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Embracing her passion for dance, Bedminster local Kendra Smith is opening her first dance studio in Basking Ridge.

Embrace Dance Studio will host a grand opening on Sept. 7 at 665 Martinsville Road (Second Floor) in the Riverwalk Village in Basking Ridge.

Smith began dancing around 2 years old and continued to pursue her love when she went to college for dance.

She has a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Dance Studio Operations, as well as a Business minor. She also served as the Program Director and oversaw the dance program for many years at the Somerset Hills YMCA.

"I've got almost, probably, gosh, two decades or more of dance [experience], and then probably almost a decade of teaching and coaching experience as well," said Smith to Patch.

Embrace Dance Company will be Smith's first studio. She says it is "exciting" and "nerve-wracking" simultaneously.

Just like Smith's favorite top two dance styles — lyrical and ballet, and hip hop — her studio also offers classes for a range of dance styles.

"I like to be very high on giving a chance for everybody. Everybody's going to like something different. Everybody's going to have a different learning style. So we really want to just create somewhere that people can come and feel comfortable," said Smith. "Our big tagline is that we want to create a space, obviously, for all dancers, but our main tagline is where we can create community, character, and confidence."

That's why Smith felt it was incredible important to offer special needs classes.

"I want somewhere for everybody to go, where they feel like they can learn and grow at their own pace. And, you know, just have almost a second home inside of the dance studio," said Smith.

Embrace Dance Company has a dance team that consists of a few different levels and can teach classes for kids from age five up to 18.

Classes include dance with me classes (which are similar to a mommy and me style), ballet, tumble, ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, acro, musical theater, and a special needs rhythm and motion class.

There are also two adult classes offered.

"We have just a regular adult dance class, which is kind of a little bit of everything, and then we have an adult tap class," said Smith.

For more information on the Embrace Dance Studio or to sign up for classes visit embracedanceco.com or email info@embracedanceco.com. You can also follow the studio at instagram.com/embracedanceco or facebook.com.

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