Kym Degenhart

Can you provide us with an overview of your business and what your goals were starting out as studio director of Bom Funk Dance studio?

Our dedicated faculty nurtures a supportive and community-focused culture, continuously developing dancers, staff, and programs. Bom Funk provides performance, competitive, examination and recreational streams, with our Performance Squads representing at local dance competitions and events. Bom Funk has a number of specialty programs including our Street 2 Stage® program to support male dancers; DanceStep Student teacher education program; our 5,6,7,8 Dance® In-School Dance program; our female empowerment program for teenage girls, ‘Positively Imperfect’; and our Dance Kingdom® Early Childhood Education program.

Additionally, Kix Arts® Productions, comprising of High Kix® Cabaret and Tap Kix® offer pro/am entertainment and paid work opportunities for local dancers. We offer Nationally Accredited Certificate courses (RTO 40397) and are registered providers for NSW government vouchers such Active Kids, Creative Kids, PrezentBox, and the Fitmindz 4 Kids program. In 2022, we expanded to our new headquarters in High St, Queanbeyan, which features dedicated studios for acrobatics, cheer, and a large aerial rig. We are also proud to house our own professional theatre, The Highlight Theatrette.

My goal as Director of Bom Funk is to provide a positive, safe dance space for dancers to learn, grow, perform, create and discover all types of dance and movement, feeling empowered and confident in everything they do. Dance has transformed my life, offering incredible experiences and connections.
I aim to inspire and support others in pursuing their dreams, whether in dance or any chosen path. Dance teaches skills far beyond the steps and can be incorporated into all facets of life. Cooperation, resilience, problem-solving, leadership and team building skills, creative thinking, time management, discipline, commitment, flexibility, respect and physical fitness are highly sought-after in any workplace. My hope is for each student to find joy and success through what we teach and share at Bom Funk.

Can you tell us more about your new Highlight theatrette and what your goals and plans are for this exciting new space?

Having our own performance space was a long-cherished dream of mine. When we moved to our new premises in Queanbeyan, I envisioned converting one of the larger areas into a small, flexible theatre. We were facing difficulties finding suitable and affordable venues for our cabaret shows and I wanted to create a solution to this problem while still using the space for classes.

It took over a year of considerable effort to make it happen, but now we have a fully operational theatre with a capacity of approximately 175 people in stadium-style seating or 120 people with cabaret-style seating and banquet tables. We can also clear the front for a dance floor setup. Our theatre boasts professional sound and lighting equipment, black drapes, wings, and a raised stage.

Can you tell us more about your exciting new acrobatics and aerials studio and what your cheerleading program has to offer for young aspiring athletes?

At our Queanbeyan studio, we’ve transformed one of the studios into a well-equipped acro and cheer studio. It features large flexi mats covering the entire floor, along with various acrobatic training apparatus, crash mats, and an air track. The studio boasts an exceptionally high roof, perfect for stunting and tricks. Another studio is fitted with a top-notch aerial rig holding 5 aerial points at a height of 6m, suitable for silks or lyra training. This rig adheres to Australian standards, approved by an engineer and undergoes annual checks. In Jerrabomberra, we have 9 more approved rigging points for lyra and aerial hammock training. Our aerial classes are kept very small so that everyone gets to spend ample class time on an apparatus. Our acrobatics, cheer and aerial classes are currently our most popular classes at Bom Funk. This success is attributed to our highly qualified and passionate faculty. Their dedication enables every student, regardless of their level, to experience growth and progress.

Can you tell us more about the adult dance classes that you offer and why you believe it is important to continue your passion for dance well into adulthood?

Many studios fail to offer classes for students after year 12, which I find puzzling. Just because you’ve finished school doesn’t mean you should stop dancing. Whether you pursue other professions or not, dance is an excellent outlet for creativity and fitness.

At Bom Funk, we deeply understand this, which is why we provide a range of adult class styles and levels. Our offerings include adult-only beginner/intermediate ballet, cabaret, tap, aerial, and hip-hop classes. We also offer Open Advanced level classes in contemporary, cheer, acro, jazz, and more. Most of our adult students join for fitness and fun, recognising the importance of engaging in something that keeps their body and mind active each week.

What inspired the creation and establishment of the High Kix Cabaret troupe as a component of Bom Funk Dance studio?

High Kix Cabaret was originally created so that I could share my professional cabaret and showgirl experience with dancers and provide them with performance opportunities in a style that is empowering yet challenging to learn. Over time, it has evolved into something much bigger, providing local dancers with paid professional opportunities and showcasing their talent at events.

Since its establishment, Highlight Theatrette has successfully hosted several shows and events, including the Dance Kingdom Fairytale Ball, Soloist Showcase, and Midyear Mini Shows. Additionally, we’ve rented it out to a Burlesque company, a Band, and multiple photographers this year. Having our own space brings numerous benefits. Smaller events can be easily organised without worrying about high overhead costs, and our shows with smaller casts such as our Musical Theatre Triple Threat program can perform musicals without financial strain. Moreover, our performers can rehearse on the stage itself, allowing dress and tech rehearsals to be incorporated into class time during the term. The convenience extends to costume storage upstairs, making it easy to prepare for rehearsals. In the future, I plan to continue using our theatre for our events and also promote it more widely as an option for artists and event organisers seeking a suitable theatre space to rent.

What advice would you give a young dancer or future entrepreneur on turning your passion into a thriving business?

My advice is don’t give up on your passion – it takes time, hard work and perseverance. Stay true to yourself and set personal goals. Seek regular feedback and always be eager to learn, upskill and complete relevant qualifications. Respect your teachers and mentors and look to them for guidance. Also, shameless plug, consider reading my #1 Amazon Bestselling book, “Frou Frou to Fruition,” which offers valuable tips for aspiring dancers and entrepreneurs on turning your passion into a thriving business.

What’s next for Kix Arts Productions and are there any upcoming gigs and public performances that we can look forward to?

Kix Arts Productions are excited to present their annual Cabaret Soiree on 28 October in the Highlight Theatrette. Tickets for this show will go on sale soon. The first act this year will feature elegant French-inspired routines, followed by an edgy act 2 with a big city rock feel. We’re also looking forward to returning to perform at NightFest on the 30th September and at the Queanbeyan Christmas Street Party on the 16th December. We’re also excited to put together a Festive Christmas Edition Fairytale Ball for our younger audience members and bring some stunning princesses along with Santa to the stage in an interactive dance show on the 3rd of December.

Where do you see your business growing in the future and do you have any exciting new projects underway for the studio?

My main focus for the business currently is consolidating systems and processes across our two main locations. Exciting projects are always on the horizon, like taking our competitive Cheer Team, ‘Quean Bs’ to their first official Cheer competition in Sydney next month. Additionally, as mentioned, we’re developing a new Christmas Edition of our Fairytale Ball for December and are continuously collaborating with local artists and creating content for community events.

Can you give us an overview of what it was like to dance for the Moulin Rouge in Paris and what advice you would extend to aspiring showgirls who are looking to follow a similar path?

It’s hard to put into words the experience of dancing at the Moulin Rouge. I don’t think I ever realised when I was over there just how much it would shape the rest of my life and my dance career. It’s a show of incredible opulence, but it wasn’t easy; we performed 2 shows a night, 6 days a week, enduring numerous challenges like climbing 638 backstage stairs and wearing heavy costumes.

I was grateful to be a swing so that I got to dance in a different spot each night. I think I would have gotten really bored doing the same choreography over and over otherwise. Probably the best part about dancing at the Moulin Rouge for me was just being able to experience living in Paris and travelling through Europe on days off and holidays. It really was life changing. My advice for aspiring showgirls is to keep up your ballet technique and remember that confidence is key because first impressions count.

What do you believe are the most important aspects of being a great showgirl and all-round performer?

Being a great showgirl and all-round performer requires a combination of talent, skill, and dedication. It’s important to have a strong sense of stage presence as well as maintaining physical fitness and health.

Good performers are able to work well in teams, display confidence, versatility and resilience so that they can cope with the challenging demands of performance. Above all, you should maintain professionalism; being punctual, reliable, and respectful to your colleagues and the production team is essential.

Being a great showgirl and all-round performer requires continuous growth and improvement. Embrace the challenges, stay passionate about your art, and enjoy the thrill of bringing joy and entertainment to others.