S2Ep29: Makayla von Badinski of Atelier88 Performing Arts

What drives a talented dancer to turn her lifelong passion into a community beacon? Meet Makayla von Badinski, the dedicated owner of Atelier 88 Performing Arts Studio in Milton, GA. Makayla shares her inspiring journey from the vibrant dance culture of Los Angeles to fulfilling her dream by opening a studio in a new city. With a focus on technique and community rather than competition, Atelier 88 welcomes dancers from toddlers to adults. Makayla's resolve to create a nurturing environment is fueled by overcoming personal adversities, which she candidly discusses. Learn how her family's move to Atlanta and her children's growing independence became pivotal in realizing her vision.

Step inside Atelier 88's new location at Birmingham Crossroads, and feel the buzz of anticipation for a range of exciting activities and events. Makayla opens up about her strategic efforts to build a talented team, leveraging industry connections and the power of social media. The studio's name itself holds a special significance, reflecting Makayla's artistic vision and personal journey. Discover her insights into the evolving world of dance education and the vibrant community she is cultivating. Don't miss this heartfelt conversation that celebrates resilience, the pursuit of dreams, and the love for dance that binds it all together.

Transcript

Atelier 88 Performing Arts Studio

Speaker 1 0:00

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Stacey Poehler.

Speaker 2 0:12

I'm excited to be chatting with Michaela Von Badinsky. She is the owner of a new performing arts studio called Atelier 88 Performing Arts. Welcome, michaela, hi, thank you. We're excited to chat and learn about your new venture. Why don't you start off by telling us about the studio?

Speaker 3 0:29

Yeah, this studio has been a long time coming. I'm originally from Los Angeles, California. Born and raised, grew up in a arts household. My father is in the motion picture industry and I started dancing at the age of three. By the time I was in high school, I was working professionally, did things like Nickelodeon, I danced on the Emmys for singing artists, various things. So I have always dreamt of owning my own studio. And so here we are.

Speaker 2 1:09

That's great. So you've obviously been dancing for a long time, but did you want to open up a studio?

Speaker 3 1:15

Why now? I always knew that I wanted to open my own place, but I married into the movie industry. My husband is in the industry as well, which is how we landed in Atlanta. He kept getting shows bringing him back here and we had to decide which side of the country to plant roots in. And since he was predominantly here, we decided to pick Atlanta. And with young kids and his job being so demanding, and with young kids and his job being so demanding, we just were waiting for the right time. And my kids are older now 8 and 12, so I guess not too old, but sufficient enough to handle me working, so it just seemed like the perfect time.

Speaker 2 1:58

Why don't you tell us the types of programming that you're going to have and what the vibe of the place is going to be?

Speaker 3 2:07

that you're going to have and what the vibe of the place is going to be. Yes, we will offer classes from as young as 18 months old all the way up to adult. I came from a home studio that was tailored to instilling a strong foundation technically for students in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, musical theater, acro all of the things that prepared us to work professionally. We did some competing, but not a whole lot, so the studio is very much going to model off of that a pre-professional type of environment, but also a very nurturing environment. So I'm looking forward to having all ages in there.

Speaker 2 2:56

Yeah that would be great. And the last thing about the business itself is what's the name? Where'd that come from? The business itself is what's the name?

Speaker 3 3:04

Where'd that come from? So, if you know me, I joke because I could never have named this studio Miss Michaela's Dance Studio. It's just not me. So, if you know me, I'm a little bit more introverted, and so I really wanted something that meant something to me, something to me. I did a lot of research and I came across Atelier, which is French for a small space created for artists, and it resonated with me, and 88 is actually my birth year. So I was like, okay, it can have a little bit of nod to me, but ultimately I just wanted something that was different. Really, yeah, I like it.

Speaker 2 3:48

What are some myths or misconceptions that might be out there about dancing today and the old dancing schools that we think about?

Speaker 3 3:58

Yeah, I think dance has actually come to a very interesting place. It's very commercialized now. Most studios you're going to come across spend a lot of time at these competitions and a lot of money is spent on that. I don't know that they get as much from these competitions. I think instilling strong training and that technical foundation and getting more out into the community doing shows and workshops serves any artist so much better than this commercialized world that it has become.

Speaker 1 4:45

Oh, I lost audio.

Speaker 2 4:52

I can't hear you. Sorry, I was on mute I was like is it me? So I was only muting because I was afraid the dog was going to bark again. Any hardships or challenges, things that you've overcome to bring you to this moment and make you ready to open the studio and bring it to our community.

Speaker 3 5:11

Yes, I would say something that might catch people off guard is I actually do have quite an interesting story. So something that motivated us to move to the Atlanta area is I was victim to a violent home invasion seven years ago in California. My husband was filming and was gone and I was home alone with my two kids. It was very traumatic, obviously, and after having been through that, I feel like life really shifts and your perspective on how you handle relationships with people and just everything. So I feel like maybe a few years ago I might not have been mentally prepared to take on such a large undertaking, but having healed from that and learned from that and really tried to focus on positive, I feel like I'm more than ready.

Speaker 2 6:12

That's definitely a difficult thing to go through. The fact that you come out on the other side and now trying to do something good and make a difference. That's really important and something to be proud of for sure it is. Thank you. Yeah, obviously you like to dance, and dancing is something that people do for fun, but what else do you like to do to relax?

Speaker 3 6:35

Well, I'm not great at relaxing. I feel like I'm always on the go, especially with the kids. My son is an athlete. He plays travel baseball and basketball, so I spend a lot of time at the fields and on the courts and I love it. I love it so much. Most of my time is really in the arts or at sports games.

Speaker 2 7:00

How have you gone about building a staff and finding some other folks that you can plug into Atelier and have help?

Speaker 3 7:07

I have been fortunate that being plugged in the dance world, even from the West Coast, has really benefited me. Social media is such a great resource. Now. A lot of my instructors I found on social media and they all are working professionals. We just recently had someone who was on the VMAs with Katy Perry, yeah, so I just really have benefited from being plugged in and social media.

Speaker 2 7:42

Obviously, a lot of kids have dreams of doing some of the things that you've done. What are some things that you've learned along the way that you think are important to help kids keep perspective and focus on the good and the things that are going to make them better and not just the end result of being TikTok famous or whatever it might be?

Speaker 3 8:05

I think it is huge to keep in perspective that you're not chasing fame and you're doing it because you love it. It is a tough industry to work professionally. You're going to hear more no's than yeses and so really preparing yourself to be mentally strong and give yourself grace when things aren't going your way. But I really do feel like if you keep powering through, you'll eventually reach your goals. But it takes time. It's not overnight success, especially in the dance world. To master your art it takes many years. In this day and age, everyone wants instant gratification and that's not the case in this industry. Knowing that it's going to take time.

Speaker 2 8:57

And I think you mentioned the different types of classes. You were going to have Anything special that you're excited about that might be a little bit different than what some other studios are doing.

Speaker 3 9:14

Yes, we have a few things up our sleeve the performing arts side and offering a junior production team, which includes getting kids behind the camera so they can learn how to film and edit, and something that they maybe not have access to. There's so many departments in the performing arts world and what makes a television show or movie? Having different workshops available to kids and adults mostly kids, because it's harder to find those types of classes now. Hollywood is here in Atlanta, so just really trying to bring what we know and have spent so many years crafting a little bit of that here in Milton Georgia.

Speaker 2 10:05

Either of your kids have the performing bug. Did they want to be in the industry?

Speaker 3 10:11

My daughter is eight years old, Her name is Boston and she loves all things performing arts. She loves to sing, dance and act. It was one of those things I never wanted to push on her, so I gradually let her make that decision and she did one production of Dear Edwina when she was six and then she was sold from then on. So we spend a lot of our time singing and dancing.

Speaker 2 10:42

Great, and I'm guessing she'll be in classes at your studio when you start.

Speaker 3 10:47

She is convinced she will be in every single class at the dance studio, regardless of age.

Speaker 2 10:55

That's good. Anything that you want our listeners to know that you haven't had a chance to share want our listeners to know that you haven't had a chance to share.

Speaker 3 11:09

I would love for your listeners to know that we are bringing something different, but really getting back to those classic foundations of dance, and I really think that we're going to be an attribute to this community.

Speaker 2 11:22

What's your favorite style of dance? Did you lean more towards the jazz, or did you like ballet and tap?

Speaker 3 11:30

I definitely did. Most of my professional work was in jazz and hip-hop. I say I was forced as a young child because in order to dance at our studio, we were required multiple ballet classes a week, which is usually not a favorite, but such a needed class. Jazz and hip hop are definitely my favorite, for sure.

Speaker 2 11:52

Awesome, and can you share with us when you're going to be opening and how can folks reach out and get in touch?

Speaker 3 11:58

Yes, we will be opening November 4th. We start classes that week. That's a Monday. We will be doing a sneak peek on November 2nd. We will be offering free classes from 10 am to 1 pm that day. They're 30-minute intervals, so whenever you're free you can hop into a class. We will also have swag and giveaways. If you'd like to follow along on our journey, we're big on Instagram at Atelier 88 Performing Arts, or you can look us up on the web at Atelier88dancecom.

Speaker 2 12:38

You guys are going to be over in the baby public shopping center on the second floor by the dojo right across from seven acre restaurant off of Birmingham Road next door to Milton Dojo on the second floor.

Speaker 3 12:54

Yep.

Speaker 2 12:55

Awesome. We're looking forward to having you guys here and can't wait to see all the good things happening at the studio.

Speaker 3 13:00

Thank, you, michaela, here, and can't wait to see all the good things happening at the studio.

Speaker 1 13:04

Thank you, michaela. Thank you so much for having me. Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast, milton. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpmiltoncom. That's gnpmiltoncom, or call 470-664-4930.