Meet Ann Olsen-Bode

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Olsen-Bode.

Hi Ann, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Northern California. I started dancing at the age of five, and like many young dancers, I studied ballet, jazz, musical theater, and tap. I dedicated my afternoons to hours of training with serious intentions. I moved to Los Angeles upon graduation and won a scholarship to the esteemed Dupree Dance Academy. I studied with the best in the business and learned from the top dance influencers. I then went on to a successful professional dance career. I toured the world with a ten-person dance troupe called “the Dancin’ Machine”. We traveled around the world to places like the UK, Germany, Italy, France, South Africa and all over the United States. Later, the company landed shows in the casino market. I starred in numerous productions, including Cover Girls at Caesars Tahoe, the award-winning Splash at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, and I was the lead singer/dancer in Showstoppers at the Desert Inn. I retired from the stage to pursue my goal of choreography and direction.

I became part of the production team as the casting and dance director for Kutash Dancin Inc. I was in charge of hiring, training and managing hundreds of dancers and shows around the world. I was also involved in the costuming, choreography, and staging of these large-scale production shows throughout the 1980s and ’90s. I decided to leave the professional dance world in 1998. I got married, moved to Phoenix and begin teaching dance as my main focus. The skills I learned in the professional world served me well as I moved to the next phase of my career. After a few years of teaching at other facilities, Desert Star Dance was established in 2003. Aside from my amazing son, DSD is by far the proudest accomplishment of my life. Desert Star Dance has been in successful operation for 18 years. I am dedicated to sharing my knowledge and love for dance with my students no matter what their goals are. I love what I do. I was born to do this, and I’m so grateful I have found a way to continue to do it as a lifelong journey. As for my future, I hope to expand my influence by reigniting my career in production, as well as creating more opportunities and advice for young dancers through my future books, videos and speaking engagements.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely, however, I always find challenges to be learning experiences. Whenever there is a setback, I look for ways to find growth. Failures are just ways to re-define yourself and your goals. In the past five or six years, I’ve done a lot of study in personal development and have found that struggle brings strength and sometimes the times of adversity is when we find our true self!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Desert Star Dance, I wanted to be a little bit different in my approach to dance education. I believe that dance is for everyone and that all children (and adults), no matter what their ability and/or talent, can achieve whatever they want. I’ve seen many talented dancers not continue and others who struggle a bit but have a great desire to find incredible success. I believe in the power of desire and persistence. I am a firm believer in the impact that creative arts and dance have on a person in general. Personal development and self-confidence are one of the great byproducts of classes in the arts. I never have in mind that I’m trying to create professionals. I am teaching the total person things that easily transfer over to regular life. It’s up to the individual where they want to take it.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love Arizona. I have lived in several states and also spent time in other countries, but I adore living in the southwest. The diversity of the state, the close proximity to other cities that I love to visit, the myriad of things to do and enjoy are part of what I love. Driving around Arizona and Phoenix in particular, is one of my favorite things to do. There is so much to explore, the roads are amazing compared to other places, and the scenery is some of the best in the world! Before I lived here, I never knew the beauty of the desert. I am obsessed with it now! I’m not a huge fan of the 115° summers but I have learned to tolerate it as the winters are the best!! The Chandler-Gilbert area is an incredible place to raise a family and enjoy everything that the area has to offer. The infrastructure has finally caught up with the growth, and there are wonderful dining and outdoor experiences to enjoy. I do wish there was more arts in Phoenix. I feel like it’s missing a little bit of that. Hopefully, I can be one to help create a more exciting arts community.

Contact Info:

• Email: Desertstardance@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.desertstardance.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/desertstardance
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desertstardance/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/desertstardance

Image Credits
Ed Flores Robert Kelley Steverson Photography

 

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