If you know Poppi, you know that he brings out the best in others. He reminds us all about what it means to be a member of the DU Family, exemplifying our studio’s core values. Passion, Acceptance, Nurture, Development, and Achievement are the values we hold onto with pride as we create our programs and opportunities for young dancers. 

One of the ways we live out our studio mission is by giving back to our community. There are so many opportunities to get involved with community service in Augusta, and we can’t wait to share how DU gives back each year! 

3 Ways that DU Gives Back:

1. Have a Heart Food Drive

Each February, our studio celebrates Valentine’s Day by extending our hearts to those in need. We collect food and personal care items that are distributed to the Augusta Food Bank. Year after year, we see how much of a contribution we are able to make when our studio families all come together to give. This year, we were overjoyed by yet another successful Food Drive!

2. Valentine’s Day Cards for Health Facilities 

To make the season of love even sweeter, we also encourage our dancers to create Valentine’s Cards patients at local Healthcare facilities. This year, we had enough cards to give to not one, but two facilities. We love making others feel a little extra love on Valentine’s Day! 

3. Live Performances in our Community

During the holiday season, our DUPC dancers perform at the annual Augusta Tree Lighting. It’s one of our favorite events of the year as we share our passion for dance with the community. We treasure the smiles, laughter, and joy we get from the audience and it reminds us of how dance brings people together. 

Our studio vision is about more than just great dancing. It’s about nurturing young spirits, accepting others, fostering passion, and so much more! Giving back to our community is one of the ways that we teach our students the value of community. 

Community service in Augusta is so valuable for young minds. Our dancers are shaped by the goals we set for them and the opportunities we give them. We love showing them that #DanceUCares! 

We love our Augusta community and we love giving back! Thank you to all our families who participated in our charity events this February!

The post DU Gives Back! appeared first on Dance Unlimited, LLC.

In January, we hosted our 2nd annual NHSDA Induction Ceremony, where we congratulated three graduating seniors with membership to our Dance Unlimited Chapter! Their outstanding leadership, community service, academic achievement, and excellence in dance over the years have made us proud to call them our students. Enjoy some photos from the ceremony on our Facebook page. 

Join us in learning more about our 3 newest NHSDA Inductees and congratulating them on their incredible achievements! 

Madeline Clay

High School: Gardiner Area High School
Achievements and Awards: NHS, Honors Student
Sports: Track
Years as a DU Dancer: 5

What do you love about DU? Dance U has become a second home for me. It is somewhere safe for all dancers to come and be themselves while doing something they love. The staff have made sure that every dancer that comes through the doors is happy and healthy. I came to a recital before I moved to Maine and I knew from watching the dances that DU was where I wanted to be.

What advice do you have for younger dancers? Cherish your time at DU!

What is your favorite dance memory? Attending NUVO in Boston! 

Kiara Henry

High School: Cony High School
Achievements and Awards: High Honors Student, MVP for Volleyball and Soccer
Sports/Clubs: Soccer, Volleyball, Lacrosse, Basketball, Spanish Club
Years as a DU Dancer: 15

What do you love about DU? They’ve taught me so much about dance and much more.  There’s nothing I love more about DU than the family you grow to be a part of. Best friends and bonds between people that last a lifetime. Everyone is just amazing, I couldn’t ask for a better dance family. 

What advice do you have for younger dancers? Always dance your hearts out and never wish to skip ahead to next year. This year really taught me that everything could be taken away from us so quickly, you never know when your last performance could be. Time goes by way too fast.

What are your favorite dance memories? Meeting some of my best friends, the beach trip we took last summer, the Boston trip to NUVO, and #DUME. 

Madeline Levesque

High School: Cony High School
Achievements and Awards: NHS, Soccer Captain, Teammate of the Year (Soccer), KVAC All Academic Award
Sports: Soccer, Tennis, Chizzle Wizzle
Years as a DU Dancer: 11 Years

What do you love about DU? Dance Unlimited has been my safe space since I started. It has provided me with opportunities and bonds I wouldn’t have found anywhere else. The instructors are happy to see you succeed and help you every step of the way. DU has taught me much more than just dance. I have learned how to be a good role model, serve my community, uplift others and to never give up.

What advice do you have for younger dancers? Confidence is half the battle in becoming a good dancer. The key is to let go and focus on how you feel while dancing and not how you look. Technique comes with practice but passion comes with confidence.

What are your favorite dance memories? Dance Camp, Team Trip to Disney, and Attending NUVO in Boston

We are sending a HUGE round of applause to our 3 newest members of NHSDA (Dance Unlimited Chapter)! It has been such a pleasure to watch you grow up at DU and we can’t wait to see what the future holds. These young women exemplify the values of NHSDA and of Dance Unlimited. They are amazing role models for our students.

Congratulations on your many amazing accomplishments. Bravo Dancers! We are SO proud!

All DU high school dancers ages are encouraged to apply for membership to NHSDA. Keep your eyes peeled for more information this spring!

The post Congratulations to our New NHSDA Inductees! appeared first on Dance Unlimited, LLC.