The Pemberton Dance Studio is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Anna Kroupina founded the studio because she wanted to make a space for kids to express their creative side and receive good dance education in a town that—for all its focus on sport—nurtures artists, too.
Kroupina has been dancing in some way, shape or form since the young age of three, training extensively in the ballet, contemporary, jazz, lyrical and acro genres. Her performing credits encompass Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, and Giselle. The Russian expat's lifelong pursuit has taken her to numerous countries while instilling discipline, creativity, resilience and the joy of expression within her.
"Now into my 40s, [dance] is still something that drives and inspires me every day," Kroupina says. "Teaching allows me to pass that on, helping dancers uncover their potential, build confidence, and connect with the art form in their own way. My vision was about creating a place where dancers of all ages could feel supported, challenged and inspired. I wanted the studio to feel like a second home, where dancers could explore creativity, grow in confidence, and feel proud of what they accomplish."
Several good teachers have helped to make this goal a reality: like Angela Waldie, Danielle Poupart, Holly Parker and Trish Belham.
The Studio opened its doors a decade ago with just a few classes, but now can offer a varied schedule of programs geared towards different styles and age groups. Competitive teams push students who wish to level up their ability, while local shows bring Pembertonians together. Kroupina's pupils have taken on notable productions like Alice in Wonderland, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and even The Nutcracker.
"Productions like the Story of the Nutcracker are so much more than just learning choreography, although it is a fascinating four-month crash course in intensive ballet training," explains Kroupina. "They teach teamwork, responsibility, time management, patience and what it means to commit to a bigger project in a short span of time. The dancers learn to support each other, navigate challenges, problem-solve and shine on stage—and the pride they feel afterward carries over into other areas of their lives. These shows also create such magical memories that stay with them forever."
'Empowering each dancer'
Above all, the studio is known for fostering a supportive and tight-knit community. Families are encouraging, involved with their kids' growth and caring towards one another. Kroupina and her faculty strive to maintain a culture welcoming to all: where hard work is celebrated, kindness matters, and every dancer feels valued.
"Running the studio has taught me so much—not just about dance or business, but about leadership, patience, and trusting the process. I’ve grown more resilient and adaptable, and learned that success isn’t always about perfection; it’s about personal happiness in doing what I do," says Kroupina.
She adds: "My teaching philosophy is centred on empowering each dancer, helping them find joy in movement, and creating a space where they feel safe to challenge themselves, make mistakes, and grow. When I see this, it fills up my bucket. I think one of the biggest highlights is seeing dancers who started with us as tiny tots grow into amazing, mature artists and people, who help co-create and share the vision. Another proud moment was how we pulled together as a community to keep dance alive through the challenges of the pandemic, it was very hard."
Kroupina expressed gratitude for local businesses who make the studio's productions possible via fundraising and sponsorship, as well as volunteers who give their time to fill various roles. She hopes to one day acquire a permanent studio space with which to facilitate new programs and inspire dancers to "see how they can make the world a better place."
The Pemberton Dance Studio's year-end recital, The Whimsical World of Seuss, ran on June 7 in the Maury Young Arts Centre as an original production featuring 60 students.
