IRVINE, CALIFORNIA – Three time Emmy-Nominated Choreographer Monie Adamson has recently realized her goal to reach and maintain a strong balance between the “art” of dance and the “entertainment” of dance and fitness by reaching out to the Irvine community with the relocation of her FOCUS DANCE CENTER to the lovely Woodbridge Village Center in Irvine, California.
Along with approx. 30 highly credentialed and talented teaching faculty, and a professional Office Staff, Adamson is living her vision to bring quality dance training, performance, and fitness to the Irvine Community with a program of diversity in dance and fitness styles for all ages and levels.
Adamson is pround of the new 12,000 sq. foot state-of-the art performing arts studio, FOCUS DANCE CENTER, which opened on Juy 5th at the Woodbridge Village Center.
at FOCUS through the Art of Dance
“At FOCUS, students are being given the opportunity to unite in a healthy community, creating an environment supportive of values, recognition and positive reinforcement, reflective of the high standards of the Irvine community, ” said Owner/Director Adamson, whose credentials include 3 Emmy nominations, five American Choreography Award nominations, winner of an American Choreography award, and Choreography Media Honors Honoree for her work in the Television Industry.
“FOCUS is focused on the development of the full artistic potential of every student. It is important to reach out to students of all ages, from child to adult, and inspire them to reach their full potential” … thus the original subtitle for her studio is “setting our sights on the dancer within.”
Adamson is no stranger to giving back to the community. While a dance instructor and choreographer at Orange Coast College, she directed Danc’n Etc, a troupe that used dance, acting, and singing to help teens address the pressures of social issues such as drugs, gangs, self-esteem, and others.
This energetic, positive 45-minute program toured local high schools and colleges. She was also the artistic director for “Common Ground Dance Company” created to blend the diversity of street dance, jazz, gymnastics, ballet, modern dance and tap, and celebrate ethnic diversity.
Adamson believes that through a strong foundation of technical training originating from a solid Ballet program, as well as discipline and encouragement, FOCUS can guide and mold each student with a personal touch.
“With a concentration on promoting self-confidence, teamwork and a passion for the arts, the team at FOCUS will always strive for bringing out the greatest potential living within every student. FOCUS will also always strive to provide a positive atmosphere for students to join together and study the technical skills of dance and fitness – all the while creating treasured memories and life-long friends,” said Adamson.
To help those needed, FOCUS will provide scholarships to the students based on financial need and merit, as well as a soon to be introduced, Academic Dance Stars program, that will recognize the importance of academic commitment in developing the “whole” dancer.
By popular demand, from the Irvine Community, FOCUS is getting ready to offer a new Morning program created for the adult who would like to stay fit or get fit, and classes for the pre-school dancer, in our desire to accommodate the needs and desires of the Woodbridge Community.
Joining Adamson is a professional staff of apprx. 30 instructors bringing more than two centuries of collective dedication to dance. Classes for all levels and ages – Pre-school to Adults, as well as special programs and celebrity guest instructors are offered.
A new enhenced professional level Competitive Dance program was introduced this year, and Intro-level Club FOCUS competitive program are offered and available by audition for ages 4 to 18 years of age. Also FOCUS is home to Kaba Modern, Good Project, Kaba Legacy, Common Ground and Kaba Kids offering Hip-Hop Crew classes for ages 9 to adult.
Adamson holds a B.F.A. in Dance from the University of California, Irvine, a Life Time teaching credential for Orange County, was named Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year at Orange Coast College and received a Dance in Action Award for her work in the dance industry.
She has danced in Music Videos, at Disneyland, and was an eight-year member of the highly acclaimed dance company, Rhapsody in Taps, where she studied with tap masters, Gregory Hines, Arthur Duncan, Pat Rico, Sandman Simms, Eddie Brown, Linda Sohl-Ellis and many others.
She was also Resident Choreographer for Warner Bros. Television on such shows as “Family Matters”, “Step-by-Step” FOX’s MADTV. Most recently she performed as a dancer in the Oscar nominated movie “La la Land” and the television series “Crazy Ex-Girl Friend.”
Adamson, along with the FOCUS Faculty and staff, are excited to be a part of the Woodbridge Community in Irine and look forward to giving back to the community through the art of Dance and Fitness. For more information, go to focusdancecenter.com, on facebook at focusdancecenter, on instagram at focus_dance_center, or call 949-737-5151.