EMPOWER VALUES

At Empower Dance Studio, everything we do is guided by our core values. Our values keep us grounded in our mission to cultivate our students’ confidence and strengthen our community through professional, accessible dance education. Movement is a tool that connects us to ourselves, each other, and the world. Aligning our actions and energy with our core values empowers us to move through this world with purpose, joyfully. 

  • FAITH

    We believe in a power greater than ourselves. We have complete trust and confidence in ourselves and each other. We know that we are part of something bigger than we can imagine and that our actions matter.

  • SAFE SPACE

    We celebrate and respect dancers from all backgrounds. Classes are accessible and inclusive. Each decision is made with a commitment to celebrating each dancer’s natural beauty and cultivating self-confidence.

  • PERSONAL GROWTH

    We know that growth requires movement. Through movement, we develop our strengths and find our footing along our path. We believe that discovering and embracing our inner beauty and strength is necessary to nourish our continued growth.

  • SPIRIT

    We witness our passion and effort ignite joy. We dance, wave our jazz hands, and blow bubbles to feel the joy of moving and to create opportunities for others to share in that joy. In all we do, our goal is to create more positive energy and joy in the world.

  • COMMUNITY

    We move together to strengthen our community. We show up for ourselves and each other to share our experiences and learn together. We are responsible for creating the world of collaboration, representation, and creativity we believe is possible. 

THE EMPOWER STORY

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Empower Dance Studio is a safe and inclusive space focusing on cultivating student’s self-confidence and sense of community through movement and the art of dance. 

 

Empower was founded in 2015 by Nicole Oxendine, a lifelong dancer whose belief in the power of movement to transform lives led her to teach in Durham’s public schools. Observing the wealth of incredible talent among students who could not afford to delve deeper into their arts education, Oxendine recognized a clear need for affordable dance education beyond what the schools could provide. 

 

This, along with witnessing the erosion of her students’ self-confidence from their elementary years to their transition to high school fueled Oxendine’s desire to create a safe space for dancers to discover and celebrate their natural beauty, a space where seemingly small decisions about costuming and hairstyles took on new meaning. While Oxendine danced with these questions, her colleague and former student Jessica Burroughs was realizing that her heart was in the logistics of providing access to dance education. 

 

A chance conversation between the two set the stage for Oxendine and Burroughs to blend their complementary expertise and interests, collaborating to create the educational experience so needed in their community: an accessible, safe space for dancers of all abilities and backgrounds. With Oxendine pulling from her background in dance therapy to create the curriculum she so wished to see in the world and Burroughs drawing on her extensive administrative experience to lean into her dream of managing a dance studio, Empower Dance Studio was born. 

 

Now in its fifth year, Empower Dance Studio has become a cornerstone of Durham’s arts community and beyond. Empower classes blend professional technical dance instruction with a commitment to fostering the personal growth and confidence of each dancer, welcoming all to explore their potential. By creating a safe and inclusive space that appreciates all dancers as they are, Empower Dance Studio has created a thriving community of students and instructors passionate about the power of movement to connect with the self and navigate the world with a confident and joyful spirit.

ABOUT

Nicole Oxendine

As we witnessed an increased desire for dance in our community we decided to step out on faith and create a studio where FAITH EMPOWERS MOVEMENT.  We are excited to share our love and passion for dance with dancers of all backgrounds!

CEO, FOUNDER
Nicole Oxendine
noxendine@empowerdancestudio.com
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PHONE
(984) 377-2017
 
EMAIL
info@empowerdancestudio.com
 
ADDRESS
109 West Parrish St.
Durham, NC 27701
Location
Empower Dance Studio is located 109 West Parrish next to Loaf and across from Bull City Dental. You can enter through the side door in the Black Wall Street Plaza park area at the corner of Parrish & Magnum St.  Our office hours are 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Parking
OPTION 1: Street Parking is $1.50/hour • 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. •
Monday through Friday

Multi-Space Pay Stations accept the following tender: CASH | COINS | CREDIT CARD | PAY-BY-PHONE APP | PAY-BY-PLATE

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OPTION 2

The Chapel Hill Street Garage OR the 4 stories Corcoran Street parking deck. Just steps away, from the studio. Parking is $1.25/hour during business hours (Mon-Fri 7 am-7 pm), and free after-hours and on the weekends.  See map below. 

 

If you have any other parking questions please reference the City Parking Guide website

http://www.parkdurham.org/On-Street-Metered-Parking

Chapel Hill Parking Garage
Church Street Garage

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