Turn up the heat dance foundation thrives

Turn Up the Heat Dancers

An Indian proverb says, “To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak”.

That’s the perfect description of the founders, teachers, students and supporters of Turn Up the Heat Professional Dance Company, which was formed in 2021 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the Turn Up the Heat Dance School.

Its mission is to cultivate a diverse community of students, educators, artists and audiences by promoting dance in schools, expanding community awareness, and increasing professional development and performance arts.

Since 2020, Turn Up the Heat Dance School has instructed Treasure Coast children in multiple styles of dance and has a competition dance team that has won awards across the State of Florida.

Shayna Lanzetta and Maria Lanzetta are founders and directors of the Dance School and King Feliciano is a master personal trainer who ensures that dancers are performing in a physically safe and secure environment.

Although the school was flourishing, the trio decided they wanted to do more. As Maria shared, “as both a dance professional and parent I know the financial realities of a quality dance education can be daunting. We decided to form Turn Up the Heat Professional Company to enable even more children to share in the love of dance, raising funds to ease the financial burden for families that need assistance.”

Richard Ross, a highly-respected local philanthropist provided a generous initial donation, which allowed the Dance Company to launch for the 2021-22 dance year.

At the year-end recital, Turn Up the Heat recognized Mr. Ross for his generosity, having the youngest scholarship recipient sharing the impact the dance scholarship had in her life.

Turn Up the Heat Professional Company has already been able to award over $10,000 in dance scholarships to students who have demonstrated financial need to pursue their love and passion for dance. Fees for instruction and competition participation, if applicable, are covered.

In addition to offering even more of these scholarships in 2022-23, the school is also working towards offering a series of classes for special-needs children and adults.

A great community partner, students from Turn Up the Heat performed at such non-profit events as Catch the Wave of Hope annual gala, United Way of Martin County 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony and for Stand Up for Independence at no charge.

Alicia Chapman, Kelly Laurine, Maria Lanzetta, Mia Manso-Vargas, Fida Georges; (front row) Nali Bennett, Maria Lanzetta, Richard Ross, Josephine Lanzetta and Anna Lanzetta

Turn Up the Heat Professional Company also became a member of the Community Foundation of Martin/St. Lucie.

To learn more and how you can help or donate, visit www.turnuptheheatdance.com.