Youth for the Future: Addison Lee
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – A 19-year-old has started a dance business built on kindness.
Addison Lee recently opened up KOVA Elite Dance Studio. KOVA stands for Kindness, Opportunity, Voice, and Ambition. It's a competition dance team and also has technique classes for girls, a pre-competition program, and an adult cardio class.
"I've always loved competitive dance, and I started teaching when I was a sophomore in high school, so like 15, 16, and I knew then that it was something I always wanted to do. So I didn't want to waste any time. I just wanted to kind of get started and create something that was my own," Lee said.
"We have our core values, which is kindness, opportunity, voice, and ambition, and those are four things I think are really important, especially for growing young minds and kind of shaping the kind of community that we want to build. So that's what we base our time on at the studio, and what I try to teach all my girls."
15-year-old Sabrina Luman has danced for 11 years, many of those with Lee for several years. Now she is Lee's student.
"She's really nice, and she's always just giving everyone opportunities, and always just spreading kindness. Like with everything that she does. She's never unkind or anything to anyone," Luman said.
Parent Chelsea Porter has an eight-year-old daughter, Paisley Porter, who is dancing under Lee.
"Addie was the one that talked her into trying out her competition team, and she just has a way of truly making these little girls believe in themselves, which is really special," Porter said.
Porter said it has been great to see her daughter "find her light" again in dancing, as it was starting to fade before joining.
"The way she's lit up again this year has been really special. And we're only three or four weeks in, but it's been amazing. Yeah, she has a way of like she's so positive," she said. "She truly makes sure that every girl gets a spotlight or a special part, which is really, really big for an eight-year-old.
Porter is proud to see Lee pursue her dream even earlier than expected.
"We've always been close with Addie. We used to tell her, when you graduate from college and you open your studio, we'll be waiting at the doors. So of course, when she texted us from college and said, 'Hey, I'm coming home to open a studio,' we were like, 'All right, we're there.' So it's really inspiring to see such a driven 19-year-old. We knew this would be amazing, but she has so far exceeded our expectations. It's been a really amazing start," Porter said.
"She's so nice, and if you get hurt, she always helps you. And she's the best coach, and it's so fun to have her as a coach," Paisley added.
Kimberly Ringie has two kids who are dancers at KOVA, and she also takes the adult class with Lee. She said Lee had taught her daughter three years ago, and she is proud of Lee pursuing her dream at such a young age.
"Sitting in the studio, it's so nice to hear Addie always give positive reinforcement and encouragement to the girls, even when they're having off days. She's great with all age groups. She is one of the most trustworthy, loyal and responsible people I know," Ringie said.
Lee said she wants to create a space where her students are heard and are proud.
"It's been really funny, actually. A lot of the girls now, they'll be like the younger ones, they're like, 'we don't want to go,' or 'we want to come tomorrow,' and that's such a great feeling," Lee said. "I mean, it's horrible to see them leave crying, but it's awesome to know that I've created a space that they feel so happy and comfortable in that they just want to spend all of their time here."
Lee says she is also happy to bring another place the Berkshires can enjoy
"I think the Berkshires is such a great place for art. We have so many great places around here, like Barrington Stage and Jacob's Pillow," she said. "I think it's awesome that we just keep growing that and keep showing that to the young community, because there's so much they can do here."
She said others who may have the urge to open their own business should take the plunge and surround themselves with a supportive group.
"It's definitely really scary, and there's going to be a lot of people who are questioning or doubting you. And if it's something you really want, you just have to go for it. There's never going to be a right time, no matter when you start your business. There are going to be challenges you face and difficulties. You're never going to feel like, 'Oh, okay, this is the time.' You really just have to go for it, and as long as you believe in yourself and you surround yourself with people who also support you, you'll do great. I think you really just have to go for it," Lee said.
Youth for the Future is a 12-month series that honors young individuals who are making an impact on their community. This year's sponsor is Patriot Car Wash. Nominate a youth here.
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