WE HAVE CLOSED THE BUSINESS.

IMPORTANT: Public Announcement

This summer marks Revolutionary Dance & Movement Company’s 5th year in business, my 33rd year of teaching dance, and my 19th year as a business owner in Silverton. RDMC was my “second run” as a business owner. These years have blessed me with teaching thousands of people and generations of families, many of whom have become close friends and like family. Receiving Silverton’s Chamber of Commerce’s Distinguished Services award in 2014 was a highlight, as well as so many of my students going on to careers in the arts, or even just overcoming huge personal obstacles, thanks to the arts.

Running a business is not for the faint of heart, but these last five years (since Covid) have been the most challenging. The only thing consistent was inconsistency; I could repeat successful methods and achieve the opposite result for unknown reasons. I know as a business owner, I am not alone in experiencing that, and I know of 6 other dance studios within a 15 mile radius that have closed recently. It’s been an enrollment rollercoaster, and the economic decline since January has only worsened matters, making it increasingly difficult to sustain. Our community’s families are struggling as the cost of living skyrockets and incomes fail to increase. Dance is a privilege and luxury that many can no longer afford. I have tried to create a summer schedule to entice enrollment without successful enrollment.

It breaks my heart to announce that RDMC as a studio will PERMANENTLY CLOSE at the end of this term. Our last day will be June 12th as we conclude our term of classes.

We may continue to function as a community theatre and produce the Community Nutcracker and other productions, but I haven’t made that decision yet. If you have an opinion on the matter, please share it with me. For now, we will be dormant, self-reflect, heal, and wait and see.

The "Emily's" would like to continue their adult classes on their own. I will act as liaison and communicate with you once they have a plan in place, and then pass the baton to them.

I want to acknowledge and thank our amazing instructors, Emily Hanson, Emily York, and Karis Coleman, who ARE the HEART of RDMC. These talented and strong women championed and embodied our mission and have been my better halves for years. I couldn’t have done what I do without them. They have not just been my team, but very dear lifelong friends.

It has truly been a pleasure and an honor to teach my students and to host an accepting space for so many to dance. I feel immense guilt and heartache as we close, knowing that several of these kids will also have broken hearts. When I tell them I love them, I mean it; it’s not lip service. I hope they know I always will.

After my signature, I have included a list of studio recommendations for those who wish to continue their dance training.

Thank you all for your support over the years. I am and will always be grateful.

With love, respect, and gratitude,

Marta Hazekamp

Studio Endorsements:

American Academy of Ballet https://americanballetacademy.net/

Premier Academy of Performing Arts https://www.papadancers.com/

Willamette Ballet Academy (503) 982-5053 (no website)

June Taylor's School of Dance https://junetaylorschoolofdance.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20476866921&gbraid=0AAAAAqIU4zQN8zOLMUBcLGY0ejnZcIExF&gclid=Cj4KCQjwuvrBBhDcARItAKRrkjdtdnXItakfQv3kKxCF8x7j3wY0J4gm0H4Ios7cpMqPzpz1fgYck4mgGgLDgxAC8P8HAQ

Want to learn more about us?

Click on this link About RDMC to watch this beautiful video made by a former student (and now professional filmmaker) Gavin Knox of Ely8 Media Productions.

Testimonials from our dancers & dance families!

[Brier, Ballet Level 1] "You are a wonderful teacher. Brier has been telling me that she wants to be a ballet teacher when she grows up. I know you hear it all the time, but you are important to myself and my family. You have tons of students and you still manage to make each one fee important, individually, and I can't thank you enough for that." Rebecca Fox

[Emmeline, Ballet Level 3] "We Love RDMC and can't recommend it enough! Our daughter has been taking ballet classes with Marta for several years and has also taken acro-dance, hip hop, and participated in fun summer camps. There is a very positive, encouraging, and welcoming atmosphere. All of the instructors have been excellent. The class sizs are small and the dancers receive first-rate individual techinique instruction. It's been lovely to watch our daughter's skills progress as she's developed a love of dance." Jamie Sanchagrin

[Paige, Ballet Level 4] "My child has blossomed during her time at RDMC. Covid caused some social anxiety and lowered confidence but slowly and surely she gained back confidence, enjoyed her class, and made friends with her classmates. She has a sense of belonging there and knows she fits right in. Going from a child who had to be convinced to go to any activity and dreaded going to school each day to a child who performed on stage at her first recital calmly and confidently has been life-changing for her as well as myself. She now participates in other activities and sports on her own and has gained so much emotional and social confidence. I highly recommend RDMC and Marta Hazekamp. Marta loves, teaches, encourages, challenges, and nurtures her students. My child has grown as an individual as well as a dancer and I couldn't be more grateful for her experience here." Madalynne Webb

[Karis Coleman, Advanced Ballet] "Marta has been training me since I was 3 years old! She is like my second mom. She not only provides (in my opinion) the best instruction, but she really loves you and shows it in every way. Marta is a mentor and I always know I can go to her for anything or any reason. She has also prepared me well for dance auditions and trained me as a teacher, which I know is a value I will carry with me for life." Karis Coleman

[Dancer, actress, Lyra, Contortionist] "I trained with Marta since I was a high school student, and I can confidently say that Marta is one of the most dedicated and compassionate movement instructors I've trained with. Whether she's teaching you the nitty gritty choreography, the technique, or how to embody a character, she has such a knack for conveying complex concepts in accessible ways. Her commitment to making sure everyone can access dance and have fun with it is so invaluable! Marta is such a delight, and I credit so much of my growth and success in performing arts to her tutelage. Dancing with her again as an adult is one of the highlights of my week." Amber Barnard

[Adult dancer and former drama student] "It's an awesome experience with talented instructors. No judgment, only positive guidance (you know how some ballet studios can be so stuffy about certain things). Always encouragement and positivity to be the best dancer you can. You feel like family when you're there. Can't recommend RDMC enough!!" Theresa Bizon, Community Nutcracker

[Tap & Belly Dancing] "The teachers at Rev DMC are very professional and at the same time compassionate and welcoming. I highly recommend their classes to anyone looking for dance and movement for themselves or their children." Cindy Zapata

[Yoga Guru] "RDMC is such a welcoming place! Marta is an excellent and compassionate, experienced teacher. They have both kids classes and classes for adults, like belly dancing, yoga, tap and more! ALL are welcome here and I love that!" Suzanne Zupancic

Google Sites

Report abuse