The History of ODC: A Contemporary Dance Studio
- Odyssey Dance Co.
- Dec 27, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 27
ODYSSEY: noun
'a long and eventful or adventurous journey or experience.'
Welcome to Odyssey Dance Company (ODC), a contemporary dance studio in Maitland, FL, where we focus on each dancer's personal growth to give them exactly what they need to 'Discover the Artist Within.'
At Odyssey Dance Co., our dancers go beyond technique to gain life skills, lifelong friendships, and a strong sense of belonging. We believe that dance is not only a beautiful art form but also a powerful tool for personal growth and development. It becomes a tool for personal growth, emotional expression, and transformation. It’s our mission to ‘Inspire the Artist Within,’ whether you're taking your first acro dance or preparing for your dance solo.
A Note from Nicole, Founder of ODC
Hello!
My name is Nicole Warren, I am the owner and Artistic Director of ODC. I identify first as an artist, then a dance teacher, mentor, choreographer, philanthropist, entrepreneur, etc. (I have a lot of titles... don't we all? I think that's part of the 'dance is life' impact: while dancing, we learn to do a lot at once). I have been dancing since the age of 5... A lot of people ask me how I became a dance entrepreneur by profession. The short answer: when I was 3 years old, I ran into a pole and lost all the nerve endings in my front teeth and had yellow corn for teeth... So, my self-esteem was in the gutter (for a 3-year-old). Thus, my parents put me in dance for the #1 reason: to BUILD CONFIDENCE. And... It worked!
Fast forward, I have turned my entire life and career into advocating for the positive holistic effects dance has on the whole human and the developmental benefits dance supports. Oh, another thing about me: I am the founder and executive director of Florida's first sensory-friendly dance studio and inclusive & accommodating dance organization, Chance 2 Dance, Inc. (C2D). C2D provides children, youth, and adults with varying special needs and disabilities with inclusive and accommodating dance classes. Chance 2 Dance and Odyssey Dance Co. are both 'my companies,' so I consider them 'Sister Dance Companies.' They support each other in many ways- I'll share more on that later. The most important thing to know is that ODC dance classes are held at the Chance 2 Dance Studio in Maitland, FL. ODC dancers will have crossover time at the studio, where your child will meet and engage with children- adults of varying needs, learning levels, and abilities. It's truly one of the most special things. <3 I could go on and on... I'll gush later.
The Journey So Far
In September 2018, Odyssey Dance Company opened its doors in Casselberry, FL, with a small but passionate group of dancers who wanted to 'do more' with their dance skills, creativity, knowledge, and experiences. They were looking for a new dance place to call home. The parents knew I had just built out the C2D studio. So, ODC was realized, and we began offering recreational dance classes to ages 2-18. We also had a competitive team, Odyssey Opals, for those who wanted to do more with their dance experience.
Now... Here's where everything is about to get good: ODC grew to 60 dancers in our first season! I was beyond thrilled (I didn't even have the funds to pay for marketing) and so proud that my childhood dreams were coming to fruition... Or so I thought. Well, they were; everything was so fun and yet challenging, with the opening of a dance studio for a nonprofit organization and opening a new dance company for typical children. We were growing, not just the company but my dancers, too! The start of season 2 had a promising trajectory. We were 'all in' dancing 'full out' mode with the spring competition season ahead of us and the planned recital choreography and music set. Costumes were being picked out, and the new year was upon us. Then...COVID.
COVID-19 obviously halted the world; we don't need to go into that. As you can guess, my companies had to stop temporarily. Tuition dropped, and people were in different places, fearing for their lives and well-being in other ways—all the things. But ultimately, life stopped, and ODC and I didn't know what was next.
We worked hard to keep dance alive, and we did! Season 3 rolled out with a very small group of competition-focused dancers only. At that time, in the Fall of 2020, I modified our business model to cater to serious dancers. We offered inclusive packaged training rates with a new programming model compiled of technique classes, choreography, company rehearsals, private lessons, special events/ experiences, etc.
Seasons 3 and 4 post-COVID were a blessed struggle. Is that even a thing? A blessed struggle? Anyway, my point is that life was still difficult for everyone and everything. We did again 'all the things' post-COVID everyone else did to stay alive and hopefully thrive. We could not host a traditional recital, so we got creative!
ODC hosted a video production performance viewing. We had spent Season 3 as a company, traveling across Central Florida to film on-site at cool, special, unique landscapes around our hometown and make dance videos. Ya'll, I learned how to fly a drone for this time in our company's history! A drone! We did specialty, themed photoshoots, teachers traveled to all the dancers for a dance mash-up parade, we had an outside stage performance (dads brought an RV and grilled at it), and we slowly started getting back into theaters and competing.
Season 4 and, most recently, Season 5, we started seeing the traditional dance world come back to life. Classes, choreography, rehearsals, & competitions were back in full swing again. Our company dancers, being a 'committed, serious dancer,' focused company, were growing insanely fast! These kids came in barely able to do a single pirouette or balance on one leg. In less than 3 seasons, they were doing multiple amazing turn combinations, leaps, and extensions, and their flexibility and strength were proving our programming was doing exactly as we intended: building quality, well-rounded dancers at an expedited rate.
Where We Are Now
While our dancers were growing insanely fast, our company was not. It's 'normal' to have a recreational program to grow dancers within a studio who then later if they want to do more with their dance classes, can join a more commitment-based competition team/company. We didn't have that. I had an inclusive, special needs organization I was also focused on and a competitive team... It seemed like enough. But, with the awareness that life post-COVID was officially 'back to normal,' I decided in the spring of 2023, it was time ODC opened classes back up to the community to share dance for all interests and experience levels.
So here we are, ODC Season 6! Dance class registration is open and live. We are so excited to have toddler dancers again to put on their tutus and twirl around. We are thrilled to offer combo and select style classes like ballet, technique, hip hop, and more for the new dancer or a beginner; even intermediate-advanced dancers will find our classes to be a quality experience.
Join Odyssey Dance Company
We invite you to join Odyssey Dance Company near Orlando, FL, which values growth, connection, and the power of movement. Find yourself immersed in a dance family committed to growing with the dancer. Let’s make this season unforgettable.