|
Kimberly Delli Santi
BallroomKidz www.ballroomkidz.com
Ballroom Dancing is in the forefront of today's popular culture, as a result, kids and adults alike have fallen in love with the excitement of dancing! Kimberly Delli Santi is bringing that passion to children in the Bay Area, and it is changing lives.
With a Master's Degree in Education, Kimberly has created and co-launched BallroomKidz.com, a comprehensive educational, fitness, etiquette, and dance program. Kids not only learn dance steps and technique, they learn about the culture, origins, and geography of each dance style. In addition, they learn critical social skills and proper etiquette, resulting in heightened self-esteem, confidence, and respect for themselves and one another. Working with ages 6-12, and then 13-17, Kimberly has found that dance changes lives. Pre-teens and elementary children are communicating, losing weight, and are participating in a healthy activity they will carry through for the rest of their lives.
5. What is your top tip for balancing it all?
As in dance, balance is key for proper execution! As a mother to an active 3 year old, and soon to be a wife, launching a business while growing my family is very important to me. I make sure that I maximize my work time while my son is in school, and then focus on being a mother by 3pm! If I have a special event or dance class later, I bring him with me, and he is learning to dance and be part of my professional world. How lucky am I?!
6. How has being a mother impacted your success?
Motherhood slowed me down professionally for the first year as I was a single mom and focused mainly on my son. With that said, during that time I learned valuable lessons in complete love, patience, sacrifice, and that family comes first. Because motherhood changed everything about me, I have taken the extra care needed to make my dance program one that I would want my own children to be part of. Being a mother to Gabriel has both humbled me as well as given me a higher standard to work towards. I take my work with children very seriously, but even more so after becoming a mother.
7. What is your best mommy moment?
My best mommy moment was when I was so overtired, frazzled, frustrated, and emotionally drained with my son that I was numb. Gabriel must have been about 2 years old, and it had been a terrible day for both of us. I remember putting him to bed, grateful that I could finally get some sleep and a much needed break! As I walked out the door, Gabriel said for the first time ever, 'Mommy, I love you.' My heart just melted. In my moment of despair, those words gave me strength and reminded me of the rewards of being a mother, and why I work so hard to provide for him. |
