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After more than three decades working in the industry, Alamance County dance teacher Kim Black was named a 2020 Dance Teacher Award winner by Dance Teacher Magazine.
Kim Black has been teaching dance in Alamance County for 34 years. She opened her own studio in 2020. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]
Times-News
Kim Black, Times-News
Black has been teaching in Alamance County for 34 years, since she was in high school.
“I’ve always taught dance. I’ve had many other careers, but I’ve always taught dance just because that’s something I absolutely love,” she said. “When you feel like you’re doing something and you’re making a difference … its very fulfilling.”
Black taught at the Centre of Performing Arts for 25 years before moving to Burlington Dance Center in 2011, where she was able to build a preschool program from the ground up. About 10 years ago, Black said, she made the move toward teaching more often. Three months ago she opened her own studio, launching the next phase of her dance career.
Kim Black teaches Ava Barfield. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]
Times-News
Meredith Fuqua, Times-News
“I just knew that it was my time,” Black said.
With most of her children grown and out of the house and her 50th birthday approaching, Black opened Miss Kim's Children's Dance and Arts on June 1. In her eyes, preparing to open during the COVID-19 crisis was a gift.
“When COVID hit, it gave me the gift of time and I just went full in,” Black said.
She used the time to get her acrobatic arts acro dance certification, finalize her LLC business structure, insurance and music-licensing paperwork, hire a construction company to complete her four rooms and have window decals installed, Black told Dance Teacher Magazine.
The studio opened two months earlier than Black had originally planned for because of that extra free time. For more information, visit https://www.misskimdance.com/.
Black teaches young dancers ages 2 to 9. Her classes include ballet and tap, but she has experiences teaching all genres.
“I’m good at engaging them and keeping their attention,” Black said of why she loves working with younger students. “All children learn differently so I enjoy figuring out how a child learns and it’s just something that’s in me. I’m able to connect with them and engage with them on a totally different level than working with older students.”
“The little ones are definitely something I feel like I’m good at,” she added.
Kim Black poses with dancer Emma Yarboro [SUBMITTED PHOTO]
Times-News
Kim Black, Times-News
Black also runs a program called A Time to Shine, which teaches dance to special needs students ages 3 through 12. The program was started in 2019 with just one student, but has grown to 16 since.
After opening at the start of June, Black’s studio ran summer camps that filled quickly and gathered a waiting list.
“I have a wonderful community following, so once I opened, they came. I’m very fortunate for that,” Black said.
Black said she was nominated for the Dance Teacher Award by her parents, colleagues and dance community, but was shocked when she won. Six teachers in total were awarded this year.
“I still can’t believe it,” Black said. “It’s a huge honor.”
Kim Black's 2020 Dance Teacher Award [SUBMITTED PHOTO]
Times-News
Kim Black, Times-News
Because of the COVID-19 crisis, the award ceremony was held virtually, but Black said this allowed her to share a special moment with her family, her dancers and her colleagues who otherwise would not have been able to attend the ceremony in New York City.
“We joined the Zoom meetings, my dancers dressed up in their dresses for that class and they got to partake in me getting that award, which was kind of cool,” Black said.
A week after the award ceremony and Black is still in shock and grateful for the win.
“Thank you to my community for supporting Miss Kim’s and my Time to Shine program,” Black said. “Thank you to my dancers and parents for nominating me and just making me feel like I’m doing a good thing.”
Black said she also owes a special thanks to her “right-hand woman”, Quentin Grgory, a high school student who teaches at her studio and helps her keep things running.
