Business Matters: Crystal’s Intrepid Dance Company
It is a whole new world at Intrepid Dance Company in Crystal. That includes Aladdin’s “A Whole New World” heard in the background. Here, young dancers learn to hop, dance and have fun. It’s a world Melissa McCabe has enjoyed since she was 4 years old, first inspired by watching ballerinas on public television.
“I would try to do what they were doing as a little girl,” said McCabe. “And my parents just enrolled in class and I haven’t stopped dancing since.”
Now as owner of her own studio, she gets to share her passion with students. And at her crystal studio, there’s a lot to learn.
“There’s ballet, classical ballet, point and hip hop, jazz, contemporary, lyrical,” rattled off McCabe. “There’s always salsa, people do those types of things. Modern. It’s just expanding so much in the different styles.”
And, sometimes, there’s a lot to overcome. That’s a message McCabe shares with her 13-year-old daughter.
“Even when she’s like ‘I can’t do this. I want to quit.’ And you’re like ‘no, you can do this. I had those moments too. Everybody does.’ It’s how you overcome it. How do you push forward.”
Family Follows Daughter’s Inspiration
Receptionist Pat McGee picked up on Melissa’s inspiration.
“I loved dance, but I never thought I could do it, said McGee.
That’s where it helps to have a dancing daughter.
“But actually she was the one who started the whole family out,” McGee said.
Soon mom followed daughter. Dad followed too. The couple danced together for 17 years, until McGee’s knees would no longer cooperate.
“She made her dad and I proud. She was able to do what she wanted, she was a beautiful dancer. Awesome choreographer. And she still makes us proud today,” said McGee.
Dance a Great Stress Relief
Today, that joy is seen in all of McCabe’s students, like eighth-grader Ethan Elam.
“I would say it’s a really fun thing to do in your free time,” said Elam. “You can even pick it up as a sport or a hobby. I would really recommend trying out different dance styles.”
Ethan fell in love with hip hop. Dance happens to be his refuge.
“It really does help relieve stress for me. And it’s a really good way to connect with music,” said Elam.
It’s McCabe’s outlet as well. Running the dance studio is not her full-time job. She’s an IT technical recruiter by day. Between the two places, she puts in about 70 to 80 hours a week. However, she says running her dance business doesn’t seem like work.
“I get to share my love and my passion of dance with the community, with other dancers that enjoy it too, just like me. So it’s been great.”
