Today we’d like to introduce you to Patty Ogden.
Hi Patty, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a young girl from a broken home, dance was everything to me! I started dancing when I was nine at a local dance studio in my hometown. My parents didn’t talk to me about my future; we didn’t visit colleges, so I didn’t go to college after graduating H. S. I moved to TX and got married. But somehow, I found my way back to dancing after having my first child. I began taking classes at a local community college and performed with them. I was then offered a teaching job. That lead to me opening my first dance studio that I had for nine years. It wasn’t until I was 35 (with three children) that I decided to go back to school for my dance degree. I had moved back to PA with my children after going through a divorce and auditioned at Point Park University. I completed my BA in dance in three years. I had some credits that transferred; I also took classes every summer to finish early. I then moved to NC to start over with my girls in 2000. I loved teaching but did not think I wanted to own a business again. But before I knew it I was renting space from another studio, teaching my own students as well as starting a program in the public schools for the YMCA. That’s when I knew it was my destiny to open my own school, one that would have the vision and culture I wish I could have experienced while growing up. That’s when I began looking for a space to develop Destiny Dance Institute. We are going into our 16th year now after surviving the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most businesses, we’ve had our ups and downs. In the beginning, the struggle was paying the bills and upkeep of the facility. I struggled with needing to work on the business more because I was also working in the business a lot as a teacher/Director. Balancing a family life was also difficult while running the business. But nothing was as difficult as what we had to do to stay in business from March 2020 – June 2021! I could write a book on that!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
DDI is a non-competition institute focused on education and performance in Classical Ballet, Jazz/Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Tap, Musical Theater, Acrobatic Arts and Pre-school dance. Instructors are dedicated to fostering a love and appreciation for the art and discipline of dance.
Our philosophy is that quality dance education begins with a strong foundation in proper technique. We offer professional instruction at all levels. Emphasizing proper technique creatively in the early years of dance training improves learning skills and develops discipline and self-confidence. DDI provides its students with the necessary training needed whether they have professional aspirations or simply desire personal development. Former students of DDI have gone on to dance professionally and some are in school to be doctors and biologists! Destiny Dance has an Intensive Training program for students who want a more in depth training experience that models a professional company.
Performing also plays a developmental role in dance education. Destiny Dance Institute provides the student’s opportunities to showcase their achievements through multiple performances a year. DDI is also home to the Wake Forest Youth Ballet. WFYB is our non-profit ballet company that serves as performance platform for the ballet dancers in the Intensive Training Program.
What are your plans for the future?
The dancers are excited to be able to bring their performances back into the theaters this year, beginning with our Nutcracker performed by the Wake Forest Youth Ballet dancers!
We will be starting a day program for preschoolers in September 2021 called the “I Can Club.” This will be a 2 hour fine arts and academic program for 3-5 years old
Contact Info:
- Email: pattyddi@gmail.com
- Website: destinydanceinstitute.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DestinyDanceInstitute
Image Credits
Amber Purnell
