Business & Tech
Westfield Business Gives Locals New Ways To 'Move' Without Leaving Town
Anyone ages three and up can take part.
WESTFIELD, NJ — A new dance studio is celebrating its first few weeks of being open along Central Avenue in Westfield.
AbunDance is a ballet-based education facility open to anyone ages three and up. The new location is owned by the same group that runs the Rahway Dance Theatre Co. and offers ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, and various other types of classes.
Armanii Shults, owner and Artistic Director at both locations, is embracing her new Westfield "family" of students and wants the community to know that the laid-back and encouraging atmosphere is not just for aesthetics.
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"We teach dancers to believe in themselves," Shults said, "and use dance as a tool to help them become even more awesome human beings who are proud of their identity, their impact, and the value they bring to the world."
While AbunDance says "every class tells a story," there are those that are geared more to surprise new beginnings. Along with scheduled sessions, the group also hosts "pop-up" classes that allow traditional dancers to branch out and learn something new or just have a fun night out.
Find out what's happening in Westfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On Tuesday night, AbunDance is holding a pop-up line dancing class that begins at 7:30 p.m.
The themes of welcoming others and non-judgement are as prevalent today in Shults' goals as they were when she founded Rahway Dance Theatre in 1996. The group was initially created as a school for students of diverse backgrounds to grow their dance careers beyond just recreational classes
"I've been elected to be a teacher, a director, a coach, an auntie, a counselor, a motivational support, all of the things, and I am happy to be all of that," Shults said of the continued support she has received from Union County families over the years.
AbunDance is located at 137 Central Ave. with classes and hours that vary.
Contact the studio at 732-388-4242 for more information.
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