Q&A with Kim Rowley

Residence: Kathleen

Occupation: Owner-director, Academy of Dance

Q: How long have you taught children to dance?

A: Thirty-five years. Since the third grade, when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I always said a dance teacher. My background is childhood developmental psychology, and I got a double major in dance and psychology.

Q: Do you use psychology to teach?

A: In the sense everything we do at the Academy of Dance is geared toward being age-appropriate and matching developmental skills, yes.

Q: How long have you been at the academy?

A: I’ve owned the studio for 11 years and I worked for the previous owner, Judy McCune, for two years prior to that. Ms. Judy still helps us.

Q: The academy is Warner Robins’ original dance school, right?

A: Yes. It was started by Bonnie Little Roberson in her basement around 1970. From there she moved to a storefront in Miller Hills Shopping Center then built our building at 438 South Pleasant Hill Road around 1983. Ms. Judy bought it a year later.

Q: How did you become associated with the academy?

A: My husband was stationed here with Army J-STARS. I began teaching with Ms. Judy and started the 3-5 year old creative movement program. I pretty much started the first pre-school program in Warner Robins as far as dance is concerned. I’ve taught around the world and I’m glad I ended up here.

Q: What’s the value of dance for children?

A: So, so much. Not just the dance steps. They learn things like time management, teamwork, how to rely each other and be dependable. They learn to be there for one another as dancers and in friendships formed as they work toward personal and common goals. We’re a family and encourage each other. There are so many important life skills — I could keep thinking of things all day. There’s the sense of accomplishment for a job well done and confidence that, “I can do this. I can get up in front of people.” It helps in school, too. Studies show that.

Q: And dance steps to boot?

A: It really builds well-rounded people. Character. Etiquette. We stress “please and thank you.” Teachers and students hear that a lot because everyone puts their all into it.

Q: Do many students become professional dancers?

A: Ninety percent have no aspirations to be a professional dancer, but there are some. Some go on to be professional dancers, and a good many have become dance teachers and directors of dance companies. But they’ve all learned the work it takes to succeed in any endeavor and how to accomplish something. And they learn to say bravo and mean it. They become the sort of people that can make a change in the world.

Q: Does the academy have a particular teaching approach?

A: We offer so many different styles of dance there’s no single method. We do stress being developmentally appropriate and family-friendly in our dance, dress code and performances.

Q: Any idea how many you’ve taught or how many have come through the academy?

A: Oh wow, no. A lot. A whole lot. There are a lot of families that have had three generations come through. It’s so great to see grandkids of former students here. We always work to make every child feel welcome and accepted — and encouraged. You never know a child’s story and we want to be a big encouragement for every youngster.

Q: Sometimes the picture of a dance teacher is the stern, strict authoritarian. You’re not sounding like that.

A: I think the biggest question we get is, “Are you like THAT dance teacher on the reality show on TV?” The answer is a big no! She’s a pox on my profession. It makes me so happy when our students pipe up and say, “Absolutely not!” That show has really scared people off.

Q: What size staff do you have?

A: Thirteen on the payroll, then we have alumni come back to support recital. They know we need all hands on deck. We have parents helping a lot, too. We have a nonprofit that helps with some of the extra things we do.

Q: Like?

A: Like the Christmas parade, dance company trips — like one coming up to dance in New York, our community shows, Veterans Day presentations, going to nursing homes, dancing in support of local charities. We do a lot of things and try to help when people come ask us to dance.

Q: What range of dance do you teach? And do you teach adults?

A: Everything from creative movement, to parent-tot classes, to pre-ballet and ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tap and we teach yoga, too. And yes, we teach adults, too. That would include our popular Monday Night Ballroom program. We have classes and students from age three to 64. I love it when adults come and say learning dance is on their bucket list and they’re ready to start. It’s always a great time to start no matter the age. It’s never too late.

Q: Contact info?

A: Get online or call me. We’re at 478-922-6220 and at www.academyofdancewr.com.

This story was originally published July 10, 2016 at 4:04 PM with the headline "Q&A with Kim Rowley."