Dance is one of the most diverse art forms. Most are familiar with the classical styles, like ballet, contemporary and jazz, but dance is far bigger and more diverse than these few styles. The American South is home to a plethora of styles, from social dances to regional to street; there is no shortage of movement. While most dance studios in the area focus more on the classical styles and developing competition-level dancers, Purpose Dance Studio, the newest addition to the studio scene, is taking a completely different approach. Focusing more on Hip Hop, Breaking, Popping, and Afro Fusion, the studio is a growing hub for street dancers and dancers of styles who have fewer spaces to learn, practice and perfect their art, including Christian Praise Dance.
Purpose Dance Studio is a vision realized for owner Nature Vyree Young. A Hilton Head, South Carolina native, US Army Veteran and most importantly a mom, Young has made her home here in Fayetteville. Her daughter has been in dance since she could walk, and last year, her longtime dance home merged with another studio, leaving Young with a decision. She had previously helped the dance studio behind the scenes and had grown a passion as big as her daughter's for dance. So she took one of the biggest leaps of faith and decided to take a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to open her own studio.
Why the name Purpose?
“When I came up with the name Purpose for the dance studio, I wanted my dance studio to be just that, something that was purposeful for the kids, the community, families as whole. I came up with an acronym, Passion. Unity. Resilience. Potential. Opportunity. Self Expression. Empowerment. I wanted to give dancers a safe haven. A place that they could come to and just get rid of today’s problems: school, home, work. Just a place that can release and be themselves, be free. And I felt like that’s what dance did for a lot of the students in the dance community that I saw and I wanted to provide a place like that for them as well,” Young explained.
Anyone familiar with the dance studios in the area knows that competition can be king. Classes are centered around the classical styles with genres like Hip Hop taking on more of an “elective” role in the dancer’s curriculum. Young is determined to change that.
“I think what sets Purpose apart from everybody else is that we aren’t built on performance. We aren’t built on having to be a competitive team. Do I want a competition team? Absolutely, but that’s not at the forefront of my mind,” she said. “Technical ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap… those classes are all great. I offer them all. I offer all technique classes, but my focus is hip hop, where it’s a little less structured.”
Young’s long term plan is to bring Hip Hop, Breaking and Popping competitions to the Fayetteville area, increasing its visibility and accessibility. Purpose Dance Studio also offers flag banner classes and crumping (a Los Angeles regional dance form born from the neighborhoods affected by gang violence in an effort to heal and provide safe spaces for teens).
For more information on monthly classes, drop-in classes and enrollment, visit, https://linktr.ee/purposedancestudionc?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=39529ed0-c04e-401f-b55a-e430d63bbb62.

(Photo courtesy of Purpose Dance Studio)