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Meet Your Neighbor: Kaydee Francis
We all have traditions of the season, whether it’s making an annual trip to view holiday lights, sharing special foods with family and friends, or making sure others have the benefit of a memorable holiday. Kaydee Francis of 89052 believes that even the little things make a big impact. She engages in a year-long tradition of small gestures every day, like smiling and opening a door for others as well as using her given gift of dance to make a difference in the community.
Dance has been a passion for Kaydee since she was very young. Growing up in Utah, it was an everyday part of her family. She began teaching dance at her mother’s studio as a teenager and, after college and dabbling in a few industries, returned to her first love. Her career has included working for two national dance competition companies as a Show Director and Adjudicator. She’s traveled the country teaching master classes and setting choreography for competitions and television. She finally fulfilled her dream of owning her own dance studio when she met her business partner Jami Artiga. Together, they created The Dance Zone.
The local dance facility not only gives young people an opportunity to learn and express themselves through the art, but also to help others by using their craft. The Dance Zone and its students have been associated with several charitable organizations such as Dancer’s Responding to Aids, Golden Rainbow, Josh Steven’s Foundation, Three Square and Toys for Tots. They recently partnered with After School All-Stars, a group that provides after school programs to keep kids safe and help them to succeed in school. Kaydee has been busy holding dancewear costume drives for All-Star after school dance programs. She tells us more about The Dance Zone, getting crafty and her favorite tradition.
It must have been exciting to start your own dance studio. How did it come about?
“Jami and I decided to go to breakfast at Blueberry Hill…little did we know that this meal would change the course of our lives. It was this breakfast where we conceptualized The Dance Zone!”
Why do you think it’s important to give back—even in little ways?
“My take on it is simple; be considerate and set a shining example. It’s not always how much time or money you donate to a charity that will give back to your community, but the example you set. Small actions can help grow a sense of community.”
Your efforts through The Dance Zone aren’t always so simple.
“We assist in a variety of ways both big and little from dancing at fundraising events to holding a drive for dance costumes, but I am most proud of watching our dancers grow from young people into passionate, beautiful and caring adults.”
What inspires you?
“I believe that if you want something you’ve never had before, you must DO something you’ve never done before!”
What else are you passionate about?
Spending time with my husband, friends and family, traveling and I love animals. I am mom to a giant dog and two fluffy kitties. I’ve also been involved with the organization No More Homeless Pets.”
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at the studio?
“I really enjoy getting crafty. If it’s messy you can count me in! I like painting and usually I’m sewing and adding rhinestones to costumes but I also love reading. I have tons of books lined up on my Kindle.”
Tell us something you think others might not know about you.
“I’m a big Tomboy! Even though I love my make-up and rhinestones, I love to camp, hike and spend time outdoors with my husband and dog.”
Any holiday traditions you’d like to share?
“It has to be my mom’s homemade lasagna. It’s our family’s holiday tradition.”
