We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bri Ahlers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bri below.
Hi Bri, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
There is no one defining moment that brought me to where I am today. I started dancing when I was 3 years old, I started to seriously study dance at 12. I loved who I was when I was dancing and I loved how I made people feel when I danced. I danced all over Tucson. I danced at many studios, the University, and danced with a professional company for a brief time. I met some amazing dancers and learned some incredible skills, but I also saw many things that should not have been happening. I saw dancers struggling with eating disorders and body-image. I saw dancers in tears because they were told they were “too tall” or “too big” to be dancers. I once had a client tell me she was turned away from a studio because her mother didn’t speak english. All in the name of the “tradition” of dance. I was an elementary school teacher for many years while dancing with different companies and I learned that I could put my classroom teaching skills to use and while teaching dance. I was a personal trainer and group fitness instructor and realized that I could put my trainer skills to use with dance. I looked back at all the studios and dance experiences I have had and realized that I could use all my skills to change the world of dance- to break those old school “norms” of dance. I opened up BA Studios to create a space that tailors its dance teaching to its students. I can teach traditional and more modern science-based fitness dance. I can create a space that creates well-rounded and healthy dancers. My purpose is to make the world of dance a healthier and more inviting place.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
BA Studios, my dance & fitness boutique, opened in January of 2023. Over our first semester we’ve enrolled just under 30 dancers and 20 fitness clients. We’ve performed at two community service performances, Vail Pride Day with the Vail School District and Hacienda at the River Independent and Assisted Living. We hosted a tea party fundraiser event that over 60 people attended and donated to our studio, put on two SOLD-OUT productions of our Spring Dance Recital, Neverland. All while teaching our normal dance and fitness classes. It was an incredibly successful first semester to say the least.
Upcoming we have Summer Dance Camp Intensive classes, new events like “intro to ballroom dancing”, and the start of our fall/winter semester where we will be preparing for our next production, The Nutcracker Returns. I am most excited about our December recital. Just about every studio in town performs the classic “Nutcracker” ballet. We are all about breaking the norms and embracing the modern times so we’ll be creating our own version. The first Act of our production will take place at a modern day Christmas party, while the second Act will be kept more traditional.
We accomplished a lot these first few months and we are so excited to grow and embrace this next semester.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
My knowledge and degree in teaching and my dance experience were obviously helpful in my journey. But my supportive family and friends were the number one thing to impact all my experience, skills, and knowledge. My parents, siblings, my husband, my best friend, my dance and fitness clients…they were most impactful on me. Whether it was buying me business books to read, sending me podcasts to listen to, taking me for coffee to write out my business plans or ideas, or just letting me cry to them when grumpy old men told me I was “a young, naive business woman and would never be successful.” I put literal, blood, sweat, and tears into my studio to get to where I am today…but I got through those tough days because of my family and friends more so than my skills and knowledge in business and dance.
My advice to folks early in their journey…you are the only one in your way, so get out of your way. Everyone has an opinion, but you know what you need to do. In the beginning, it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to get started. My only regret is that I regret not going after my dream sooner, and letting my fear of failure make me hesitate.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes! We are growing which means I need help with teaching at the studio! As much I wish I was incredible at all styles of dance and fitness…I’m not perfect. I thrive when it comes to ballet, pointe, kids hip hop, yoga, and barre….but I want my studio to offer even more! I am looking for instructors and future team members that fill my gaps maybe new styles of dance and fitness that we don’t currently offer. I’m looking for artist who aren’t afraid to think outside the box and try something new in the studio.
I’m also looking forward to hosting other dance groups or fitness instructors. We had the amazing TC Chicago come in and teach a sound bath event and my clients still talk about it months later! I’d love to open my studio space to the community and let others come in and share their art or an event.
Please reach out via email [email protected] if you are ready to collaborate and help our community find the most BA version of themselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ba-studios.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bastudiosaz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bastudiosaz
- Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briahlers
Image Credits
Sherri Graves Photography
