Amy Simmons and Cati Arwood’s dream is becoming a reality, and residents of Carter County will soon be able to reap the benefits.
Dancer’s Dream Performing Arts Academy will start hosting dance classes at 503 1st Avenue in Hampton and is hosting an open house on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to celebrate the new endeavor.
Free to the public, the Academy will have performances throughout the day, along with photography sessions, refreshments, food, and the opportunity to sign up for future classes.
Simmons, the owner of Dancer’s Dreams, in no stranger to the performing arts.
For 37 years, Simmons has worked as an expressive dance instructor and group exercise instructor, providing hands-on experience in different styles, including clogging, praise & worship dance, children’s dance, tap, ballet, hip-hop, teen tap, creative movement and others.
Before her move to the region, Simmons owned a larger dance studio in Virginia and said the chance to open up an academy in the area was high on the list since the move.
“When I moved here, I saw there was a great need,” Simmons said. “It really is expensive. The goal has been to create programs that stay within parents’ budgets to give children in the community something to do. And the support since the move has been fantastic.
“We’ve gotten a great response so far,” Simmons added. “We recently participating in the Hampton homecoming parade. There have been so many calls since then.”
The journey to creating the new academy started when Simmons first met Arwood, a well-renown photographer in her own right with Blind Raven Photography.
Since their first meeting, Simmons has worked as a model for Arwood on different projects, coming away with various accolades due to the content. One of the unique but enjoyable experiences, Simmons said, was working with Arwood on “Breaking the Silence,” photography.
Arwood’s does her fair share of family and recreational photography but has hit regional success with her work with posed photography helping raise awareness for domestic violence and child abuse. Receiving rave reviews from a recent art gallery hosted by East Tennessee State University, Arwood’s work has since been used by different agencies across the state and she added she will be working with other organizations to help raise awareness for the issue.
Simmons and Arwood agreed that expression in the arts is important for the development of a community.
“With a dance academy and photography, we’re able to get out into the community and be involved with events,” Simmons said. “Whether it’s Breaking the Silence gallery or events downtown spotlighting businesses, we want to help draw attention to the community.
For more information about Dancer’s Dreams, contact Simmons at (540) 392-9138. Arwood, with Blind Raven Photography, can be reached at (423) 440-9565.