We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marissa Marinelli a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Marissa, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
I began dancing at 2-1/2 years old. I always had a passion for dance, and I knew that one day my goal was to own my own dance studio. I was the kid that came home from dance class to practice again because I always wanted to be the absolute best dancer I could be. I am very thankful for all the teachers and mentors I had along the way that helped to get me to where I am today. Unfortunately, when I was 16 (sophomore year of high school) everything changed. I needed reconstructive knee surgery to repair multiple ligaments in my left knee. There was a small 3% chance of recurrence after my surgery and that happened less than a year later. Due to this I was unable to pursue dance in college and this absolutely devastated me. I thought that everything I had been working for and dreamed of was ending. I decided to take my first risk that was the beginning of the choreographer and instructor I am today. I applied online for a dance convention called Activate Your Artistry. I saw them on social media and decided to apply. I had no intentions on being selected because I was 18 years old. I knew there would be a line of people looked at before me and I never thought someone would give me a chance, but Miss Donielle did. She saw my passion and heart. She never treated me like lesser than anyone else. If anything she has been one of the kindest and most supportive mentors for me in the dance community. I may be biased, but I truly believe she is running one of the BEST dance conventions around. She cares about the dancers and staff like no other and deserves endless love and success. Shortly after being selected as Faculty for my first dance convention I was approached by a family friend. They wanted to help me start my own dance studio straight out of high school. Everyone including myself thought they were crazy, but they saw something in me. Just as I started to think that things were really taking a positive turn for me the Covid-19 pandemic began. After being told by numerous people that I was too young and wouldn’t be able to do it, I took the risk. I opened Freedom Of Movement Dance Company in Naperville IL in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. I had my fair share of haters and doubters and still do, but I also had those 26 dancers Season 1 that took a chance on me. My team was small, but we were mighty. We overcame some of the hardest obstacles together. Season 2 of FOM we almost doubled in size. Since day one my goal has been to create an environment that my dancers can call their second home. At Freedom Of Movement Dance Company we train amazing dancers, but create even better people. FOM has just concluded our 3rd season and we are officially 4X National Champions. I am 21 years old now and would not have traded this crazy experience for the world. I am grateful for those who doubted me and blessed to have those who have been there since day 1. All of this has made me into the strong, positive, and passionate person I am today. None of this has been easy, but it sure has been worth it.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Freedom Of Movement Dance Company is located in Naperville IL. We have dancers ranging from ages 2-18 years old. At FOM our mission is to train amazing dancers while creating even better people. We provide a safe and nurturing environment filled with positivity. We understand the want and need for balance in a dancers life and support and encourage outside activities like high school dance team and cheer in addition to studio dance. We never want to make our dancer’s choose and miss out on opportunities. Our studio is known for being the FOM Fam. This is because we are far more than just a team we are a FAMILY. We support each other through thick and thin and cherish each moment we spend together. We are always pushing each other to be the best we can be and holding each other accountable along the way. Our studio strives to provide a balance of strict and fun. We don’t believe that dancers will be able to grow to their fullest potential if they are not enjoying themselves and those around them. Our dancers are not grouped solely by age. They are placed by ability and work ethic. This offers opportunities and prevents dancers from being held back by their age. FOM currently has 4 different divisions to best suit all skill levels. FOM offers ballet, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, technique, conditioning, flexibility, and tumbling/acrobatic classes. In addition to classes we have a competitive company. Our company competes in 4 regional competitions and 1 national competition. We also attend different dance conventions to expose our dancers to some of the best professional choreographers across the country. We pride ourselves on quick and clear communication, keeping our dance families informed and included. As always – one team, one dream and we want YOU under our wings!
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I absolutely love social media. Social media is the way of the world nowadays and such a fabulous platform to connect with others who have similar interests and passions. People call me the social media queen. I am often asked what company or person runs the social media for Freedom Of Movement Dance Company. I do it myself. I am always brain storming ideas to reach our target audience. Our social media is filled with children, parents, grandparents, friends, and other local studios in the dance community. With that being said we do not focus on just a specific age group. I began taking social media a lot more seriously during the Covid-19 pandemic. I started doing free online classes through Instagram Live, I knew that dance is an outlet for people to express themselves and also knew Covid was a very hard time for everyone. I wanted to provide training or even just pure entertainment for those who followed me. This ended up being fairly successful. Outside of my own social media classes I ended up teaching a free Hip Hop Zoom class for a dance studio in Canada and made connections with various dancers from different states and countries that I still support to this day. My advice to those trying to create a social media presence or following is to be consistent. You have to mix in pictures, videos, flyers, etc. to keep your audience intrigued. You also need to be very active in supporting and engaging with other social media accounts, don’t expect support if you don’t do your part. I am always updating our social media to show our followers what we are up to and update them on our progress and accomplishments. I do feel like social media is something that sets myself and Freedom Of Movement Dance Company a part from others. I am always doing my best to show the real and authentic parts of my life and my studio even when its not always sunshine and rainbows.
Any advice for managing a team?
My studios success and teams morale begins with me. I cannot expect positive attitudes and hard work if I am not leading by example. I do not expect my faculty or students to do anything I would not do myself. I value feedback and honesty each and every day. I do not pretend to be something I am not. My dancers are allowed to be themselves, express their emotions, and talk to me with any concerns or questions they may have. I have created an environment filled with love and trust. My advice to those trying to build a team of success and high morale is to be real, genuine, and your most authentic self every step of the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fomdancecompany.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fomdancecompany/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fomdancecompany/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaZS-we8l51gWIykPOIFwFw
- Tik Tok: @fomdancecompany
- FOM Instagram handle: @fomdancecompany
- Personal Instagram handle: @marissaa.m_
- FOM Facebook handle: @ Freedom Of Movement Dance Company
- Personal Facebook handle: Marissa Marinelli
Image Credits
Nicole Tokarski (the sunset headshot only)