Our studio closed... what's next?

For the last 4 months I have been out of work. The studio stopped operating on March 16 and then went out of business on June 4. The restaurant where I work stopped operating during the same week. It seems that none of the dance teachers qualified for unemployment from the dance studio, all along it has remained unclear. Everyone had a difficult time filing as an independent contactor. Avant Garde isn't the only studio that had to shutter due to staggering COVID losses, we've been reading that many studios are closing permanently due to unforgiving landlords and property managers. Now everyone is wondering who might be interested in taking the studio over. The floor, mirrors and fixtures are still in place. As the world slowly reopens, perhaps someone will negotiate a deal for the space and reopen. Local dancers are all talking about who might be next to shutter, and who stands a chance of reopening. It's been difficult to make any career decsions, not knowing what the options will  be.

Looking for a new studio

There was a lot of sad news this week. The studio closed with no advance notice and it's left the students and staff in search of a new home. It's sad, the COVID crisis has hit the industry hard.

Avant Garde Ballroom Closes

The song has ended but the melody lingers on. Another studio closes, but this one feels like the death of a friend. A good job, no scandals, good bosses, fair pay, better than pay was the freedom to travel, do what we please and create... they gave us trust. The studio lead the way in this region on breaking color barriers, female owner, female office manager. Pinky, Nick, and Slava were good to work for. Affordable classes for underprivileged youth. A workplace with diversity and acceptance. Was too good to last, like many good things in the dance business..... now gone .... to the land where the good songs go.