Corinna
“I began dancing with Amy Blake at the age of nine when she instilled in me the passion for dance. I would always eagerly await my ballet class with her each week, so much so that I begged my parents to allow me to take more and more classes. Before long, I was enrolled in jazz, tap, and hip-hop, too. I went on to join her pre-professional company as well, and pretty soon I was at the studio every night of the week. I just couldn’t get enough. Seeing her passion for teaching inspired me to begin assisting her with the younger classes, as well as teaching my own group once I was old enough. I wanted to spread the joy of dance as she did. I even was able to accompany her on several trips as Amy taught across the nation.
With her training and guidance, I was accepted into one of the top colleges for dance, Southern Methodist University. As a freshman, my dance professors remarked that I had received outstanding training back home, and had the attitude and positivity necessary for a successful career, all of which Amy had taught me. In my time at SMU, I have had the fortune of nurturing the passion that Amy planted in me, and will be moving to New York City in the fall to begin my dance career. Although the journey will be a challenging one, I am confident that the education I received from Amy will help me succeed.
Dancing with Amy has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. She is an inspiration not only as a dancer and teacher but also as a mother and woman. I believe that I am the person and dancer I am today in large part because of her. I have had numerous teachers over the years, and I can speak with confidence that Amy is an exceptional teacher, one of the best. I cherish the relationship that I have with her, and I know that we will remain close as time passes. I sincerely hope that one day I can impact a student’s life in the way she has mine.”
Leigh
“I began taking dance classes from Ms. Amy at the age of 4 when she first opened Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance. I had so much fun learning ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop and lyrical at her studio.”
In 8th grade, I joined the ABAD Company and performed with them throughout high school. The dance studio became my second home where I would take classes, teach classes, and rehearse with the company.
Ms. Amy was always a role model for me. She taught me a lot about dance but also about leadership, teaching, and service. I was able to grow through the opportunities she gave me to teach, organize dance camp and perform at nursing homes and rehab centers in The Nutcracker.
Ms. Amy encouraged me to study dance at a higher level through summer intensives at Texas Christian University and Ballet Austin. After high school, I was accepted into the dance department at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA and spent a year studying dance and psychology there. Currently, I am a member of the Honors College at the University of Houston, studying psychology and dance. I plan to attend graduate school for dance therapy and currently am working as an intern observing a dance therapist at a Houston hospital.
Through Ms. Amy’s guidance, I am privileged to be on the staff of Dance Olympus and International Dance Challenge, where I get to travel all over the country. I am very excited to work with Ms. Amy at ABAD teaching dance camps this summer and classes in the fall. I know we’ll have lots of fun!”
Morgan
"Amy Blake has been a positive influence on my life ever since I began taking dance at Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance at the age of 4. I started out with ballet and tap,
but with the encouragement of Mrs. Amy I branched out to take Pointe, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. Thanks to her nurturing attitude and dedication I have a love and appreciation for every style of dance. I credit Mrs. Amy with transforming me from a little girl into a well-rounded dancer.
Besides teaching me technique classes at the studio, Mrs. Amy encouraged me to further my training by attending dance intensives such as the Joffrey Workshop Texas and the Joffrey Jazz and Contemporary Intensive in New York City. As a member of the company at the studio, I was also privileged enough to take two trips to New York with Mrs. Amy and the other company girls. Mrs. Amy explained to us the workings of life in the city, took us to Broadway shows, and went with us to take classes at STEPS and Broadway Dance Center.
Another great opportunity that Mrs. Amy has given to me is the chance to travel with her as an assistant while she instructs with the Dance Olympus tour. I have traveled to cities such as San Diego, Kansas City, New York, and Omaha. This is an enriching experience for me as I am able to see how dance differs across the country.
Ms. Amy is a leader not only in my dance life but also at school. I completed the Independent Study Mentorship class this year at school with her. She was my mentor and we completed a project about the process and requirements of entering a college dance program. This project was special to me because I was able to apply it to my own life this year as a senior. Thanks to Ms. Amy’s guidance and advice, I am proud to say that I will be attending Marymount Manhattan College in the fall to pursue a major in dance and a minor in physical therapy.
Mrs. Amy has served as my role model throughout life and I could not be on the path I am on in dance and life without her guidance and support.”