All I wanted for Christmas, was for my dreams to come true

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Jan. 6, 2014 - PRLog -- Walt Disney once stated that “all our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them”. In the past two years, the dream of one individual became to create a revolutionary dance studio that changes dance education, the local community, and the lives of many.

Born in Minnesota and raised around the world, Emily Ellis-Liang has worked hard to become a dancer and choreographer that does more than just entertain the public.  Due to the various life experiences Ellis-Liang has had, she has gained insight into the wise words of Maya Angelou "...you shouldn't go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back."  For Emily, the rePUBLIC of daNCe became that "something".

Ellis-Liang has been working to establish an educational nonprofit organization based on two revolutionary ideas: 1) to ensure that dancers are prepared for the real world and 2) to tie dance in with community service. Therefore,the rePUBLIC of daNCe was created to establish a new standard in dance education and training for students under the age of 18.  Not only will young dancers learn the tools of the trade to succeed as a dancer; but they will also have a chance to put their mark on the world and have experiences that enhance one's mind and dance ability.

The rePUBLIC of daNCe will be about a group of dancers helping out others in their community and in their world, making the Piedmont Triad community a healthier and livelier place to live. Even though the rePUBLIC of daNCe has a vision to provide an unparalleled dance curriculum to empower student to achieve their goals with collegiate institutions or professional companies, this organization will become so much more.

From collecting goods to donating time and money, the rePUBLIC of daNCe will be collaborating with six     different nonprofit organizations to improve the Piedmont Triad community. The faculty, staff and students will give back to the community with hopes of reaching outward and improving lives. Why is community service so important? It provides students of all ages with eye-opening experiences which illustrates what a great impact can be made on other lives through simple actions.  Additionally, giving back to the community provides students with a rewarding sense of personal and community pride by crafting a better future for individuals in need.

Beyond the service outreach aspect of the organization, the rePUBLIC of daNCe aims to improve the overall economy of the Piedmont community.  The Americans for the Arts conducted a study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry in Guilford County discovering that nonprofit arts organizations generate more than $118+ million annually, supports 4,269 full-time equivalent jobs and generates $71.7+ million in event-related spending by audiences. By bringing in another arts organization that holds six performances a year, more income will be placed back into the community, generating more revenue and helping bolster local business. Even though the organization may be small to begin with, it is a way to create more jobs at a time when more jobs are needed. Secretary Linda A. Carlisle of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources commented that, “this study shows that investment in the arts is an investment in a growth industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue, and is the cornerstone of cultural and heritage tourism.” Thus demonstrating how an investment in the arts is really an investment in the community.

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Ellis-Liang has the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world and lives of the next generation. However, to make this dream come true the organization is currently seeking donations to renovate an existing, empty space to call home. The organization is also looking for 4 candidates to join the Board of Directors. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Emily Ellis-Liang at 336-517-7456 or visit www.republicofdance.org