Meet Susan Armijo: Dance Studio Owner & Artistic Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan Armijo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susan, how does your business help the community or world?
Right now, more than ever, our customers and our community need us. They need our positivity and we all need the release from the stress and worries that COVID-19 has brought upon us. The pandemic has affected everyone, and by keeping Centre operating and dance alive, I feel in some small way, we are able to bring joy and some normalcy back into a world full of uncertainty and chaos. For at least one hour our dancers can escape and come into a space full of love, joy, happiness and friends.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I began dancing at 18 months old and I’ve never stopped! My mom was a polio survivor and had me try many activities and sports growing up. She wanted me to have as many experiences possible, because she was unable to experience some things as a child due to her physical limitations. In my last few years of high school my mother was battling cancer. It was difficult to watch my mom suffer and help take care of her, while maintaining my grades and activities. I had to help out at home, learn how to plan ahead, budget my time, make sure my homework was done, and how to cope with the negative and live in the moment of the positive. Unfortunately, my mother lost her battle with cancer when I was a freshman in college. Her dream was that I would go to college no matter what happened to her. I wanted to make sure that I never took a day for granted and I made school my priority, but I continued to dance and began teaching as well. After spending many years in marketing and advertising, I decided to leave the corporate world and move into the dance industry full-time. Ten years ago, I decided to become the owner of Centre for Dance. The road has not been easy, but it has been fulfilling. I’ve been able to take all my experiences in business such as managing, marketing, customer service, accounting, and combine with my experiences in dancing and teaching. Every day is a new day, and some days are exciting and some are not. But it’s important to take the good with the bad and learn from those experiences. It was because of my parents and experience that I learned the value of hard work and sacrifice and it shaped me into the professional I am today. Although both my parents have now passed, I think of them daily and the lessons I’ve learned from them along the way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Dallas and I have lived here my entire life! My favorite spots are Blue Mesa for brunch, and restaurants in Shops of Legacy or Legacy West for dinner. Dave & Busters and Studio Movie Grill are our family favorites for family outings. But for date night or a night out with friends, Nobu and Moxie’s Grill & Bar in The Crescent are great. For shopping, Nordstrom Rack is my current favorite. Dallas has some of the best professional sports around, so you can’t go wrong going to a game at the AAC or AT&T Stadium.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that I have to thank for helping make Centre for Dance successful, and allowing us to serve the Dallas community for over 10 years! First, I must thank my husband, family and friends for their support, patience and love. They believed in me and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. Thank you to all of the instructors that have taught at CFD. Your passion for dance, your positivity, expertise, and loyalty is what makes CFD feel like an extension of my family and makes our clients feel like family. And thank you to all the families, dancers, and community that have welcomed Centre with open arms. It is your support and dedication that makes our studio so special.

Website: www.centrefordance.com
Instagram: @centrefordance
Twitter: @centrefordance
Facebook: @centrefordancedallas
Youtube: centrefordance
Other: TikTok @centrefordance

Image Credits
Texas Tradition Photography Luis Martinez