More than moves: how dance builds confidence

For the past 15 seasons, Kelowna Dance & Fitness (KDF) has helped shape countless students—not just in dance technique, but in confidence, self-discovery, and personal growth. The transformation that begins on the studio floor often extends far beyond it

Owner and director Melodie Sharma has been at the helm of dance studios for the past 26 years, and she’s seen firsthand how powerful this art form can be.

“You can have your alter ego on stage,” she said. “They can go and dance and perform, and that's one of the social graces that dance teaches—confidence.”

She credits the studio’s long-standing success to her passionate, tight-knit team.

“The staff are talented and dedicated, and it's a real family environment,” Sharma said. “We try to make it fun, but there’s work to be done as well. The end-of-year showcases and competitions give them a chance to really shine—and we do that well.”

Among the many students that reap the benefits of giving dance a try, was Madeleine Boback, who started dancing when she was six years old. Now an experienced performer across lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, and jazz, she said being part of the studio has helped shape who she is today.

“I gained so much confidence because of the teachers here. They constantly encourage me to keep going,” she explained. “There are few moments where I didn't feel confident in myself, and they truly helped me become more positive about how I dance and gave me so much confidence to keep going.”

The dancers at Kelowna Dance & Fitness are in the final stretch of preparation for their upcoming Star Talent competition, happening April 11–13 at Creekside Theatre. It’s one of four local competitions they’ll be participating in this season, all leading up to their year-end recital at the Kelowna Community Theatre on May 31.

Recently, Ara from 103.1 Beach Radio dropped by the studio to catch a sneak peek of the action. He got an exclusive look at the Illuminate Hip Hop Group as they performed one of their high-energy routines.

Take a look for yourself.