Des Moines break dancing group opens new studio to allow people to express themselves
Des Moines Breakerz started with one man who had a dream to bring people together.
"I had some very low expectations. Like, I just wanted to dance," co-owner and head coach Anthony San said.
When San started break dancing in 2008, he never saw himself being a coach and co-owner with a permanent studio.
"We've been at parks, rec centers, student dance studios. And here with our own, we're looking to build on top of that," San said.
And the group is already hard at work, with much thanks to co-owner Tammra Swartwood.
"We've done 80/35 Music Festival. We did CelebrAsian. Pride Fest," Swartwood said.
Now, they're hoping to be in Paris in 2024.
"We have three teens on the board for the teen division for the Olympics," Swartwood said.
But it's not the fame or awards driving San and Swartwood to open their studio. It's the people.
"I still walk into this building thinking I'm going to wake up and it's all a dream. This was always the plan," said instructor Kellen Zanders.
San has always wanted to give kids a space to be themselves.
"The people who come here as well, it's like another family," dancer Skyler Fongdara said.
Now, the new studio is more than just a building.
"I can hang out. I can do homework, anything. It's just a safe environment," dancer Jaiden Martel said.
The Des Moines Breakerz Studio is located just off East Euclid Avenue on the backside of the Park Fair Mall.
The grand opening is Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m.