Hidden Gems: Meet Mindy McGowan of Freedom Danceworks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mindy McGowan.

Hi Mindy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Chandler, Arizona back when it was mostly cotton fields and young families. We had quality public schools and an array of activities to pursue. I always had an interest in dance but was too shy to agree to lessons. At age 9, my mom secretly entered me in a raffle for a free month of dance at the studio on the corner, and I was the winner! As reluctant as I was to begin, it was clearly meant to be. I fell in love with jazz, then ballet, and eventually every style that was offered. As my love and talent grew, I joined the competition team at my studio and later my high school dance company.

In spite of health challenges through my teenage years, dance gave me the motivation to get out of bed when I was able to and the tenacity to never stop dreaming, even when certain dreams were crushed over the years due to chronic illness. My passion for dance led me to overcome so many obstacles, and I knew I wanted to be a part of other young dancers’ journeys, I had no desire to pursue a professional career as a dancer. I wanted to teach and raise up others, and I was first hired as a dance instructor at age 16.

In all of my dreaming, I never imagined that one day I would own a dance studio. In fact, anytime a well-meaning friend or colleague suggested I open my own studio, I balked at the idea because I just wanted to teach, not run a business. So it’s funny in hindsight to see me now, heading into year 4 at my studio, Freedom Danceworks. I know it is exactly where I’m supposed to be in life for this very season.

My hope is that every student who walks through our doors, whether age 3 or 18, feels at least momentarily “free” to be themselves in a safe space, to dance unashamedly, and to develop close friendships with their peers. Even though I ended up going to college and getting my degree in Youth Ministry, not dance, this place allows me to use all of my gifts in a single career. Raising up this next generation, whether they go on to be lifelong dancers or not, is an honor and adds such joy and purpose to my life.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It was at age 12 that I developed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I spent many days and months in bed, not always able to go to dance class, never feeling strong enough, and not being able to grow to my potential as a dancer. Life is hard enough as a teenager. Throw in illness, and life often felt overwhelming and unbearable. In many ways, I believe dance saved my life though. There is something about movement/exercise combined with artistry/creativity that is incredibly healing for the body and the soul. The passion I had for dancing and the work ethic that was instilled in me kept me going through every struggle I faced.

That tenacity has carried me far into adulthood. As a business owner, I have had so many obstacles during these past few years of building a dream from the ground up. But my faith in God and His direction and provision in my life has proven true over and over again.

There will always be struggles in life, and perhaps even more so when you choose a path that goes against the tide (entrepreneurship vs. employment). But if you stay true to yourself, you will see mountains move right before your eyes. It has been that way for me, and I look to the future with great anticipation for what is to come!

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Many residents. Few options. That’s how Freedom Danceworks was birthed. When my husband, 4 year old daughter, and I moved to San Tan Valley, the options for quality dance studios were few and far between. Having been a dance instructor in the East Valley for 20 years, I decided it was time to open my own studio and provide a safe place for dancers of all ages to grow, be challenged, excel, and have fun while doing it.

Opened in 2019, Freedom Danceworks has brought in some of the best instructors in Arizona. Just because San Tan Valley is on the outskirts of the Valley doesn’t mean our students should have less quality programs available to them. In fact, most of our instructors hold their B.A. in Dance Education, which is something you don’t see at most dance studios. We offer recreational classes, performing teams, and competitive companies with a strong emphasis on technique. However, even with our company students, we encourage them to have a good family/school/dance balance in their lives. All of our teen company dancers are also involved in their school dance/pom teams. We don’t expect our students to give up other aspects of their lives to be at the studio training seven days a week. The mental health of our dancers is more important to us than winning trophies.

In addition to the dance styles of ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, musical theater, lyrical, and contemporary, we are thrilled to have just announced or newest program: All-Star Cheer. We are expanding our facilities over the next few weeks and hiring coaches to launch in May! With the new facility, we will be adding more tumbling classes to our schedule, which has also been a hugely successful program for us, with 50% of our current students enrolled in a tumbling class. Our classes start at age 3 and go up to age 19.

For new students, we offer a 7-day Free Trial Pass to come try any and all classes they are interested in before enrolling. Another way to join us is for our Dance and Cheer Summer Camps, which are always popular. Families can sign up for free trial classes or summer camp directly on our website: www.freedomdanceaz.com

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I already shared that I was a very quiet, shy kid. That definitely changed over the years. I really started finding my confidence and my own way through my teen and young adult years. I have definitely been one to go against the grain and do my own thing, happily leading anyone who wanted to follow, or forging ahead by myself. This is probably also why entrepreneurship has been so appealing to me. I am a visionary, and it isn’t always easy for me to work under somebody else’s vision if I’m not excited about it. The ability to build something from the ground up, something that didn’t exist before, is so rewarding.

And even though I was very intelligent, academics were never my thing. Straight A’s came pretty easily, but I would have much rather have been in P.E. class or doing something artistic and hands on. One thing I’m thankful for in my elementary education, however, was the emphasis on geography and other cultures. This instilled a love for people and a love for travel at a young age, and as an adult this love developed into missionary work. I have been to 15 countries and counting. Even though this current season of life has me focusing on growing my business, I know my time overseas is not over. Maybe some day I will bring a team of dancers with me!

Pricing:

• Classes begin at $48/Month

Contact Info:

• Email: info@freedomdanceaz.com
• Website: http://www.freedomdanceaz.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/freedomdanceworks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedomdanceaz

Image Credits
Anna Elaine Photography, Embree Photography, In the Light Photography