Studio 37
Growing up, Ariel watched as her siblings showed their creativity through dance and wanted to start a love of her own. At the age of three, Bettis began her dream of dancing and persistently pursued. After graduating from Grambling State University, where she traveled around the world to perfect her craft, Bettis fell deeply in love with dance.
While traveling, she felt many of the dancers she encountered were talented, but she knew people who lived in her hometown who were just as good. Her travels sparked the idea of a studio to perfect her craft, Studio 37. A dance studio offering many different classes for the talent that the city of Mobile has.
“I wanted to bring something to Mobile because Mobile needs it and I need Mobile. We need each other.”
After watching Wendy Williams one night, Bettis heard Williams say no one knows a ballerina. She wants to prove Williams wrong. “I want to see more black ballerinas,” says Bettis. She is grateful for black ballerinas such as, Misty Copeland, who has stepped up to show there are too some successful black ballerinas.
Bettis sees the future of Studio 37 producing some of these amazing black ballerinas. With such intense technique, ballet teaches you a great foundation to every style of dance. “It makes you feel beautiful, it teaches you to be to graceful, and to be a lady,” stated Bettis.
Walking in their first parade this past Mardi Gras season, she is ready to get her studio’s name out in the Mobile area. Bettis feels the move to Mobile was definitely the right choice.
By 2020, she sees Studio 37 being able to take students from Mobile to places all around the world to learn from many other notable choreographers. She gives her thanks to her parents for helping her pursue this dream. Also, she is grateful for all the opportunities she had growing up. Through her art and love for dance, Bettis wants Studio 37 to be able to give flourishing opportunities to young dancers across the Mobile area.
by Kandace Cox
