Check Out Julie Grabowski ’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Grabowski

Hi Julie , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Since I was a little girl it was always a dream to have my own dance studio. I started lessons when I was 2 and there has been always something magical about this art form for me. It truly has shaped me into the person I am today. I trained in all genres but it was ballet that inspired me to open up my studio almost 29 years. I studied dance and education in college at Cleveland State and the former Cleveland Ballet. But once graduating college I had the opportunity to teach school or dance and tried both for a bit but it was really the teaching dance that satisfied my soul. It was so fulfilling when students would be so eager to learn. I even started a few local dance teams at an elementary school, and a middle school This gave them an opportunity to perform around the community and their peers. I spent about 6 years teaching at a local studio as well and that gave me the foundation and experience to jump on an opportunity that came about for me to open my own dance studio. So in 1996 I opened Elite Dance Academy in Brunswick. It was not as easy as a process as I thought. I built the programs from the ground up. We moved into a building that we transformed from racquetball rooms to dance rooms and created curriculums. laid floors down, took down walls to create the most unique space around. I promised my goal would be to always focus on “Quality over Quantity”. I loved the idea of having students who started with you at a young age and were with you until they graduated. But I also wanted a family and friendly atmosphere and a place where they could build relationships and learn more than dance. Teaching the dancers technique was a priority but so was having them learn about responsibility and work ethic. It’s no secret that Elite’s dancers spend a lot of time with each other with the hours they train so it has always been important to me to instill respect while at the studio and hopefully it will carry over to their every day life. Elite has evolved over the years to now what is more of a training complex for all ages. I am also a certified yoga instructor and love adding this to our programs for all ages and levels. Anyone is welcome to pop into a class. It has been so much fun to have family and friends join me in class. We also offer barre classes and hope to add our Adult Alumni classes very soon. It has been so special to have our former dancers sign their daughters up to dance. What a moment that was when our first alumni walked through the doors where she trained and now is offering that same experience to their daughter. The Princess Studio which has been an iconic place where we have held hundreds of speciality camps will forever hold a place in my heart. This is where so many little girls can feel like they are a real princess. The castle is where most of our older ballerinas all started. As I said before I always wanted a family atmosphere and my other pride and joy are my 4 children. I have been so fortunate to not only have them dance at the studio but they currently are all very involved in the studio. You will find us all teaching weekly and they are a big reason why the studio is evolving. Alexandra, Erica, and Brianna are all choreographers and directing the companies and dance teams. We also have an assembled staff all specializing in their area of expertise. While it is a family business and often asked what is the secret to the success and longevity of the studio I just say “Family”. That is the secret ingredient that sets us apart. There is nothing like sharing the same passion with your family. I am even luckier because I have a supportive husband and a super understanding son who may not be a dancer but he was the reason we started Boys Hip Hop with his friends years ago. So I guess you could say we are a “Legacy in Motion” like our 25th recital was titled. We love Elite and if you came into the building you would feel the passion and love we have in everything we do. You will end up staying and dancing with us all night long if you visit. I promise you.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any business there are always bumps. For me it was balancing the role of Mom, teacher, wife, and business owner. All while trying to keep the studio going. One of my biggest struggles but also joys was trying to separate being a Mom and a dance teacher to your own children. Being fair and always trying to make the best decisions. But still giving them opportunities to learn from so many amazing professionals in this dance industry. The days are always long and what many don’t think about is the grind behind the scenes the actually teaching is the fun and easy part. A studio owners job is not done when you leave your classes at night it is actually only the beginning.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
While at college I earned the Student Excellence Award as well as the Superior Teaching Award. It was then I realized that my future would involve teaching but I was not sure if it would be school or dance. I feel my background as a dancer, Mom and teacher sets me apart from others. I work with children daily so I feel that is my biggest strength. But to be honest I feel what sets me apart is my work ethic I thrive on working hard for as long as my body will allow me to.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I think what would surprise people is that I love to journal. At the end of a long night or more recently I try to take time in the early morning after yoga to write down things. Some day who knows it might end being a book on a shelf somewhere.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elitedanceofbrunswick.com
• Instagram: @theelitedanceacademy
• Facebook: @elitedanceacademy