THE STUDIO Dance and Wellness was recognized for their entrepreneurship and risk-taking in their two years of operating within Revelstoke at the 2023 Revelstoke Business Excellence Awards. They received the rising star business of the year award, a category specifically for businesses less than three years old which have shown levels of excellence and growth within their field and the Revelstoke community.
Kenley Knock, owner and creative director told Revelstoke Mountaineer THE STUDIO was born out of love for providing a space where movement was safe and the belief Revelstoke would see the need for such a space.
“The whole business from the start was the biggest leap of faith we’ve ever embarked on,” she said. “We really wanted this for our community and for the kids in the community.”
Knock and Jacqui Gardiner, co-owner and creative director, had connections with dancers in town before opening THE STUDIO, teaching various styles of dance for several years. Knock points to that as one of the many factors leading to THE STUDIO’s growing success.
“It was really special because we actually already had relationships with all of the kids,” Knock explained. “When we opened our doors, there was nothing but a positive response from the whole community.”
Since then, THE STUDIO has provided over 800 students with a space for dance, yoga, musical theatre, pilates and other forms of movement. Classes range from beginner, where all ages and dance abilities are welcome to try Ballet, Hip Hop and Acro to technique-focused classes where seasoned dancers can expand on foundational skills for all forms of dance. Whether students are looking for a weekly physical activity or a competitive dance coaching space, THE STUDIO staff and teachers work to provide anything their students need.
“We seek out professionals in the fields of psychology or physiotherapy,” Gardiner told Revelstoke Mountaineer. “Anything involving what would be beneficial to a dancer, and we offer it to (students) for free.”
THE STUDIO is able to provide their students with those opportunities through various streams of fundraising throughout the year. It’s a way they continue to incorporate the core goal of wellness into their practice.
Both Knock and Gardiner told Revelstoke Mountaineer they’re open for the core Revelstoke community as well as those who might only be here for a brief time.
“We’re really trying to open up our doors to every person, every age of the community and we just wanted to create a safe space for people to come and feel good,” Knock said.
While THE STUDIO is beloved by their youth students, the teachers have been working to create classes and space for adults wanting to explore different movements in a safe environment.
“A lot of the adult community in Revelstoke are really happy to have this place, where they can come free of judgment and be able to express themselves and feel supported by their teachers and by their peers in the class,” Knock said.
THE STUDIO might be the shared dream of Gardiner and Knock, but both emphasize that the award is for the entire community at THE STUDIO.
“We wouldn’t be where we are without all of the people, the youngest kids that are here and the oldest adults,” Knock said. “This is their award too, this couldn’t have happened without them.”
What did you think of this story?
Your feedback after we publish a story helps ensure we're always improving our reporting to better serve you
