Emily Bennett opened the Adonai Arts Center in September 2009 in a space above the Bay View Brew Haus. Recently, however, she moved to a new location, 2400 S. Logan Ave.
"The studio's mission is to offer a place that is accessible to all for the arts and to create a community of artists both children and adults encompassing all of the performing and visual arts," says Bennett, who also teaches at the Brookfield Ballet Center.
On Saturday, June 12, Adonai presents its spring showcase, featuring an original contemporary ballet entitled "Colorless." Plus, local photographers and artists -- including Rick Garza, Kelly Jo Petersen, Jay Kutka, Lisa Desmond and Rozy -- will show black-and-white artwork.
The event will be held at the Bay View Brew Haus, 2535 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., and starts at 7 p.m.
"‘Colorless' presents color as a metaphor and takes you on a journey where there are no longer colorful emotions, colors of nature, or colorful communication," says Bennett.
Adonai offers adult classes in tap, hip-hop, zumba, modern and ballet, as well as kids' classes in modern and ballet. A creative movement class is open to 3-to-5-year-olds as well, along with "baby rhythms" classes for mothers and their babies.
"Babies are worn in slings and dancing is a mix of ballet, modern and African," says Bennett.
Affordability is one of Bennett's missions for her classes, and many of her summer classes are discounted by 50 percent.
"We would like classes to be accessible for everyone in every situation, we encourage anyone who feels they cannot afford dance classes to ask about our low-income options," says Bennett.
For example, the studio offers Zumba fitness classes for $5 per class. "We have a lot of mothers with teenage daughters who enjoy doing Zumba together," says Bennett.
Bennett is the mother of a 5-year-old son who is one of her inspirations for opening the studio. She says there is a decrease of boys in the dance world -- even fewer than there have been in the past -- and that consequently, there's lots of opportunities for young males in the dance world.
Bennett says dance classes give boys confidence, strength and agility. She claims dance classes also help young boys develop positive social skills, particularly in dealing with the opposite sex.
"Those with the dedication to the training will have many career opportunities including opportunities in colleges and dance companies. I would encourage any parents of boys interested in dance to get them into classes," says Bennett.
Bennett has lots of ideas for the future, but for now, she's focusing on welcoming students and creating a comfortable, inspiring environment.
"Adonai offers a non-competitive, nurturing environment and access to multiple art forms. We hope to eventually host workshops for many different types of art," she says.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
