Finding a strong passion at an early age is a great feeling. Krystle Dionne Simmons found her passion for dance in the early years of her childhood and has carried it with her to this day.
Born and raised in Gary, Simmons has had an appreciation for dance since she was 5 years old. She attended the Emerson School for Visual and Performing Arts before furthering her education at Ball State University in 2003. Following her graduation in 2007, she received her Master’s degree from Columbia College in arts, youth, and management.
While Simmons ended up studying public relations for most of her college career, her original plan was to be a dance major. Since her graduation, she’s recognized how dance has always been her calling card.
“I always tell people that I didn’t find dance, but dance found me,” Simmons said. “My mom would see me standing on my tippy toes dancing around the house before I had any formal training. When she put me in ballet, I just took to it like a duck to water. It was my voice. It was my expression. I’ve always been very passionate about dancing.”
Today, Simmons is the owner of her dance studio known as Krystle Dionne LLC. She’s had a lifelong goal to provide formal dance training within the Gary community.
“We’re going to have classes for both adults and children,” Simmons said. “There’s going to be ballet, modern jazz, hip hop, and praise dance classes.”
Providing the community with dance training is also a way that Simmons believes will add to the impressive art programs within the local communities.
“I want to be able to add to the fabric of the arts and culture within the city for the past several years,” Simmons said. “I believe the dance studio will be a good addition to the foundation that's already been laid here. There are so many young adults in the Gary community who are talented and just need the resources and the outlet to express themselves artistically.”
Starting up her dance studio has definitely been a process to make everything line up accordingly. This has always been a dream for Simmons to turn into a reality, and she advises others to stick with their passion and find support along the way.
“Research is always your friend,” Simmons said. “Even if your goals might not come into fruition within the time frame that you had hoped, I’ve learned the importance of seeking out mentors and people who may be in the industry where your passion lies.”
Aside from her involvement with dance, Simmons is very active in the church. She’s an avid reader and has a love for writing as well.
Her goal is that the dance studio will continue running smoothly for many years to come. Her biggest ambition is to help create an impact on the arts and culture for young people not only in Gary, but throughout Northwest Indiana.