Although it’s a bit smaller than its old space, the Talent Factory’s new location at 384 N. Mount Zion Road, Lebanon, is ready for its performers.
Over the summer, Talent Factory owners Paula and Jim Kochert built out their space in a building that was once part of an outlet mall. Paula described their new location as a blank canvas. Now, she said, it’s filled to the brim with usable space.
Part of the renovation included installing state-of-the-art dance floors that provide a small amount of shock absorption for dancers to help prolong their careers and not put them at risk for joint damage.
“It’s the same kind of floors that the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City uses,” Paula said.
The new flooring is an investment in their students’ health, she added.
“We’ve danced our entire lives and some dance studios just don’t take that into consideration,” Paula said. “You can’t just put in any old dance floor for dancers, especially when we’ve got some of our kids training five days a week.”
Paula said she and her family are very excited for their dancers to see and utilize the new studio. Her family has been in Boone County dancing and directing shows for more than 20 years.
“Our girls came out of the womb dancing,” she joked. “We’re super excited about our new space.”
Another big change to their new location is safe, well-lit and ample parking. Their previous location, just off of the downtown square, had sparse parking and sat right along a busy intersection.
“One of the things our parents said when they heard we were moving and looking for a new location was to please get a parking lot,” Paula said.
The award-winning Talent Factory is hosting a grand re-opening from 2-5 p.m. Sept. 4. Attendees will be able to tour the new studio, register for classes, get fitted for dance shoes, buy apparel, meet the teachers and enjoy pizza from That Sports Bar and shaved ice from Kona Ice.
Dancers with the Talent Factory garnered multiple awards over summer at the Northern Finals, securing the group’s sixth national win.
For more information about the Talent Factory or to register for classes, visit the website at talentfactoryarts.com or email to [email protected].
