Small Business Shout Out: Michigan Dance Project

The following answers were provided by Kathy King, Founder/Director of Michigan Dance Project. If you have a business and want to participate in Patch's Small Business Shout Out you can fill out the form here.

When was the business founded?: 2006

How did your business come to be?: I began the Michigan Dance Project while still attending Wayne State University for my undergrad. As a young professional dancer in Michigan, it seemed the only option for a career was to go out of state to either Los Angeles, New York City, or Chicago. I wanted to change that! So I held auditions to form MDP in the summer of 2006 and we have been growing ever since!

Why did you choose to locate to Brighton?: I have been teaching dance in Brighton at Michelle's Academy of Dance & Performing Arts Center (MADPAC) since it opened in 2004, and I am a Brighton High School graduate, so clearly I spend a lot of my time here and have fallen in love with Brighton. Not only has MADPAC donated rehearsal and performance space to Michigan Dance Project since day one, but I felt it was important to bring more art and art education to the Brighton community.

What kind of services do you offer?: We offer weekly Open Company Classes every Sunday 1:00-2:30 for adult and advanced dancers ages 15 and older. The class is taught by company director Kathy King and explores contemporary jazz technique. We also present numerous performances throughout Southeast Michigan, including many shows here in Brighton, both at the Brighton Center for the Performing Arts and in the MADPAC Studio Theatre. We are always adding events to our calendar, which can be found at www.michigandanceproject.com

What's a fact about your business that most customers probably don't know?: Michigan Dance Project has been a fantastic starting point for many local dancers' careers. We have alums dancing and teaching all over the world! Currently, we have alums in the shows "Sleep No More" in NYC, "Jubilee" in Las Vegas, dancing aboard Holland America Cruise Lines, being featured in music videos, commercials and stage shows with today's hottest pop artists in Hollywood, plus working with professional dance companies nationwide.

What do you want your business to be best known for?: Keeping the local dance and arts community thriving by offering young professionally driven dancers the opportunity to continue their training and perform locally.

What's your most popular product or service?: Our shows have received fantastic reviews from the community as being great entertainment for dancers and non-dancers alike. If you have never seen a contemporary or modern dance performance before, MDP is a great place to start!