BASKING RIDGE, NJ – Kendra Smith of Bedminster is pursuing her passion for dance and opening her first dance studio in Basking Ridge.

Embrace Dance Studio will host a grand opening celebration on September 7th at 665 Martinsville Road (second floor) in Riverwalk Village in Basking Ridge.

Smith began dancing at around age two and continued pursuing her love when she attended dance college.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in dance studio operations and a minor in business administration. She also served as program director and oversaw the dance program at the Somerset Hills YMCA for many years.

“I have probably, my goodness, two decades or more of dance experience and then probably close to a decade of teaching and coaching experience as well,” Smith told Patch.

Embrace Dance Company will be Smith’s first studio, which she says is “exciting” and “nerve-wracking” at the same time.

Just like Smith’s two favorite dance styles—lyrical, ballet and hip-hop—her studio also offers classes in a variety of other dance styles.

“I’m big on giving everyone a chance. Everyone’s going to like something different. Everyone’s going to have a different learning style. So we really want to create a place where people can come and feel comfortable,” Smith said. “Our big slogan is that we want to create a space for all dancers, of course, but our main slogan is that we can create community, character and confidence.”

For this reason, it was incredibly important to Smith to offer courses for people with special needs.

“I want a place for everyone where they feel like they can learn and grow at their own pace. And to almost have the dance studio as a second home,” said Smith.

The Embrace Dance Company has a dance team with representatives of various levels and offers lessons for children aged five to 18.

Classes include “Dance with Me” classes (similar to the “mommy and me” style), ballet, somersaults, tap, jazz, hip hop, acrobatics, musical theater, and a rhythm and movement class for people with special needs.

Two courses for adults are also offered.

“We have a regular adult dance class, which is a little bit of everything, and then we have an adult tap dance class,” Smith said.