Q&A with DWI owner Gabby Brock one year in
Oh, what a year it has been! Since our very own Gabby Brock stepped into her new role at DanceWorks Indy one year ago, our studio has continued to be a dance hub for adults in Indianapolis. From client to now instructor and owner, we asked Gabby to reflect on her experience one year in, what this opportunity has meant for her, and her plans for the future of DanceWorks.
It has been one year since taking ownership of DWI. How are you feeling?
Amazing! I feel like I have definitely gotten into the groove of ownership and have learned all there is about running the studio, and now I am really taking strides to tackle new ideas for DWI!
What was your reaction when you were first presented with the opportunity to purchase the studio from founder Kerry Kapaku?
Shock. I really could have never predicted that Kerry would approach me with the offer, and it took a few days to really process what she put on the table. After the initial surprise set in, I was honored and extremely excited. It totally made sense that running DanceWorks was a perfect fit for me, and I was so humbled that Kerry would trust me with her baby!
You started here as a client. How has it been different going from student to now business owner and also instructor?
It honestly hasn’t felt too wildly different. DanceWorks has truly felt like a second home to me since I first started taking classes in 2019, so stepping into this role was sort of a natural progression. I just adore every person who comes through those doors, whether they be my classmates or clients! It is SO fun to teach adults. I taught children’s dance classes for years, and while they’re fun too, nothing quite beats adults who you can relate to, who understand their bodies, and most importantly, where every single person in the room is there because they WANT to be there.
You were also a founding member of DWI. How have you seen the studio evolve since your time here?
DanceWorks has come such a long way in the last nearly 6 years, but the initial charm of the studio has certainly remained. The welcoming environment that Kerry created is as strong as ever. But adding performance opportunities and different workshops, and the new instructors over time have kept the learning fun and engaging over the years. Some people might not remember or know, but DanceWorks started as a two-room studio back in 2019 while construction was being completed on room 3 behind the front desk. We also have several additional classes now that weren’t around back then. For example, we went from 0 pointe classes per week to 3, K-Pop was added to the schedule, and we have additional levels of PBT, heels, and tap that weren’t originally offered.
What was one goal for the studio that you accomplished this year?
100% it has to be the spring showcase outside the studio we had on May 4, 2025. That was a VERY early and obvious goal for me. Performance opportunities for non-professional adults are extremely limited, and while the in-studio showcases are great too, nothing beats the feeling of getting to perform in a real theater and bonding backstage that takes place amongst dancers. Our performance at the Phoenix Theater was our first of its kind since 2022, and my heart was so SO full after that dream became a reality so quickly.
What has been the most challenging part of becoming the owner of DWI?
Probably not being able to do EVERYTHING I want, as quickly as I want. I have thousands of ideas and am presented with wonderful ideas from clients and staff on the daily. I do work a full-time job in marketing, so sometimes I don’t have all the hours in a week needed to both simply maintain the weekly ongoings of the studio AND implement new ideas/initiatives, but I certainly do my best!
On the other side, what would you say has been the most rewarding part?
I have two highlights here, and they both have to do with the people. First, getting to lead a team of phenomenal instructors and front desk employees is greatly rewarding. We are so lucky to have so many talented individuals contributing their time and efforts to our studio, and getting to collaborate with them on workshop ideas, class schedule, showcase pieces, social media content, etc. is so so fun. Additionally, getting to know the clients more intimately and learning about their lives outside of the studio and the commonalities amongst those who are led to DanceWorks is so fun, too. There are some really cool people doing really cool things in our city, and I am so honored to get to be a small part of their lives.
Can you talk about some of your long-term goals for the studio?
Ooooh…should we peel back the curtain a little bit here? Like I mentioned earlier, I have plenty of goals, but I will narrow them down to some of the more exciting ones:
- I definitely want to do another theater showcase in 2026.
- Info is already out about the August Adult Weekend Ballet Intensive, but I also have ideas to do other versions of this for different styles of dance.
- I want to do more collaborations and pop-ups in the community with different organizations like Connection Club Indy and Beauty Boost Indy.
- And this is a big one…it would be a dream of mine to expand DanceWorks Indy and open a second location! Send all the good vibes you can muster!!
What is a piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to try DWI?
Grab a friend and just do it. It can be intimidating to try something new for the first time, but the best way to feel as comfortable as possible is to come with a friend. Either someone who has already taken classes and has likely invited you to join them a thousand times, or bring someone else who will be just as out of their comfort zone as you. I promise the first class is the hardest, but you will absolutely fall in love with our classes and will either find a new passion for dance that may have fallen away since your childhood dance classes, or find a new hobby if you’ve never taken a dance class in your life.
What is one thing you are looking forward to in your second year as owner?
I just hope to continue to refine the studio to be the best it can be for every client who walks through our doors. I know not everything works for every person, and you can’t always make everyone happy, but if I can keep implementing small improvements to enhance the overall client experience, that is what really matters in the end.
Want to dance with Gabby and the DanceWorks Indy family? Join us today by emailing info@danceworksindy.com or purchasing a 2-week class pack.