Andi Kehoe-Trendel of Revolution Dance Company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, believes there are many things that separate one dance studio from another and teaching style is one of them. Andi 
said, “Some studios are more accelerated, some take a fun slow paced approach, other studios are competition only, and some are performance only. This is one of the great things about dance. There is something out there for everyone.” Revolution Dance Company tries to offer an accelerated program and a more recreational program. They do have a competition company at their studio, but they focus on every dancer at our studio.
Andi’s method of motivating her students is a little different from most dance teachers. She feels that kids these days have so many activities and school is getting harder each year. Therefore, when they seem to lack motivation, Revolution Dance just slows it down and has fun. If their dancers have done really well in class or at competition, the studio will have a pizza party. If it is exam week or school is really loading the students down, the school will let them make up dances or just turn off the lights and stretch for an hour where they can relax not even have to THINK! Andi has even had dancers that were just tired and she has sent them home for the night to sleep. She really feels like she needs to get to know 
each one of her dancers to know what will help them. They have so much pressure on them at school, home, and other activities that when they come to Revolution Dance they need that release. Dance studios always end up being their second home, so it is important to know your dancers more like a family member rather than a client
Andi’s proudest moment coaching is when the dancers call her their second mom, when she sees them graduate, when they come to her for advice, or when they come and sit down with her to just hang out. Those are the moments she cherishes the most, not the competition awards! For her, it’s all about the small moments.
When it comes to the biggest mistakes she sees dancers make, Andi believes it is when they get caught up in beating so-and-so from that other studio. One day they will come to realize that they will dance with them later in life, or they will go to college together, work at a “normal” job together or even become neighbors. Andi always tells her dancers that five to ten years down the road they are not even going to remember what they won at each competition. They are going to remember the fun and the excitement they had on the stage.
As far as the “must have” dancewear items every dancer needs, she believes they would include black leotards, pink tights, boy shorts, leggings, crop tops and tanks. For “must have” non-dancewear items, she suggests hairspray, bobby pins, hair ties, hair nets, brush, band aids, athletic tape, water bottle and healthy snack. She believes that dancers need to always be prepared for anything!
This year Revolution Dance has two goals – have fun and improve technique! Laughter is the best medicine and every dancer should want to work on their technique. So, really, it is a win/win situation.
Andi loved where she used to teach and never wanted to leave, but her family made a choice to move out of that area. As a result, she decided it was the best time to open a studio. So, she started the Revolution Dance Center. It was a now or never moment.
If you have experience with The Revolution Dance Company or Andi Kehoe-Trendel please leave a comment below about your experience!
