The Pretenders – improving Santa Monica through dance

The Pretenders isn't your average dance studio. While other studios simply practice for hours on end, the Pretenders is unique in that it does that in hopes to improve the Santa Monica community.

The Pretenders is a non-competitive studio with students ranging from toddlers to adults. Its programs focus on teaching and building upon the foundational technique of each style of dance. The studio is a second home to 15 Samo students who all share a passion for dance. As well as being a prominent dance center in Santa Monica, the Pretenders also dedicates its proceed to the community.With its motto — "Dance for a Difference" — the studio focuses on charity work. Dancers and instructors alike work to help nonprofit organizations in the area by having donation-funded dance showcases. The studio raises money for Meals on Wheels, local animal shelters and raises money for Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD)."There are some people in our community that don't have what we have, whether that be toiletries, food, leisure items or on the other side of the spectrum, someone to talk to or spend time with," company member Claire Rawson-Dannenbaum ('16) said. "It is important for us to help the members of our community receive what they need, even if there is no material benefit for us."The studio's most recent project was their Day of Giving on Dec. 23, 2013. Students made 30 felt blankets and raised money for a local animal shelter. On that same day, company dancers took Meals on Wheels routes and collectively raised $4,000 for the organization.The studio has many talented teachers, such as actress Amy Gumenick and her sister Lisa Gumenick."[Amy Gumenick and Lisa Gumenick] help the dance company brainstorm projects and help us execute them all the way through. They motivate me every day. They are such a huge part of the positive surroundings that make me push myself harder," dancer Grace Slanksy ('16) said.Besides Meals on Wheels West, the Pretenders helps many local nonprofits, such as Spark of Love Toy Drive, Red Cross of Santa Monica, West LA Food Bank, Pablove Foundation and Dancescape LA."There is no better feeling than being able to give when we are so fortunate to have the things we do," Bailey Cass ('16) said. "Doing community service as a company makes it an even more rewarding experience — being able to share our love for what we do and for our team leaves us with feelings of joy, pride and gratitude."