Cutting Edge Dance Center is a force to be reckoned with in our competitive dance scene. After interviewing these two, I now see why. The studio has set an expectation and their dancers and staff, rise to it and exceed it. The love for dance that co-owner Patrice Barakat and instructor Mark Meismer have for dance is immense and it trickles down to their students. You can see it in their social media posts and most importantly, their dancing. Read on to see what inspires these two, how they work together and some of their favorite moments!
DanceTchrProbs: Go ahead and introduce yourself and give us a brief history of your dance experience and studio history.
Patrice Barakat: Hi, I’m Patrice Barakat. I co-own Cutting Edge Dance Center in CA with my sister, Suzanne. This is our 6th year in Business. I grew up training with the industries top teachers & choreographers in the competition world. For the past 18 years, I have had the privilege to travel nationwide as guest choreographer for numerous studios/events.
Mark Meismer: Hi 🙂 my name is Mark Meismer I have been in the entertainment industry working as a professional dancer and choreographer for the past 18 years. I have had a blessed career in TV, film and concert dance. I currently teach on the dance convention NUVO and choreograph and work for Cutting Edge Dance center.
DTP: How did you two meet? What is your relationship in regards to the studio?
MM: When we were little. We used to compete against each other…
PB: We went to the Orange County High School of the Arts together and were kind of always the “go to” dance duo.
MM: After HS we went on our individual career paths, but when Patrice opened Cutting Edge, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. Each year, I get more and more involved and I would definitely say we are creative partners.
PB: Yes, we make a lot of the decisions together.
DTP: I know you two are close. How do you maintain a strong work and personal relationship?
MM: We don’t really know. We genuinely laugh a large majority of the time we are together.
PB: We have such a history and so much respect for one another that our trust level is immeasurable.
MM: We always get the job done, we know what the other is going to say before we even say it.
PB: So, somehow, that works for us. Our friendship and working relationship is one in the same.
DTP: Patrice, as an owner, what have you found to be the most effective way to stay in communication with your staff? And with your dancers and families?
PB: Definitely email and social media.
DTP: Now to learn more about the studio. What sets Cutting Edge Dance Center apart from the rest?
PB: I don’t know that it’s apart from the rest, so to speak, but the quality I am definitely most proud of is our bond. The love. The laughter.The hard work. But we laugh our way through the most intense of rehearsals, and the kids are sweating and “dying” but living and laughing as one cohesive unit. Our motto is, “We BELIEVE in One Love” and we really stand by that. In-house competitiveness is NOT tolerated and it’s really made such a difference. It’s a beautiful, supportive energy and I’m so proud of it. We also stress the importance of versatility to our dancers. They train in all styles and it’s just so fun to watch them be stunning in a lyrical, then ghetto in hip hop and then not taking themselves too seriously, they go out and kill a cheesy musical theatre. It’s so much more fun that way.
MM: I was going to say the same thing. You have to find the right fit for you, but our motto really works for us and the kids truly dance for the person next to them. We strive to continue to push the kids to grow and grow and grow. Each year they HAVE to be better. It’s amazing to be a part of.
DTP: I think that is a beautiful thing. When you set a standard, people rise to it or don’t. Mark, you hit the nail on the head with having to find the right fit. How many hours do your competitive dancers spend in class a week, on average? How many of those are ballet?
PB: We have dancers that drive from as far as Redlands, Redondo Beach, Wrightwood and Newport – all an hour one way in different directions. So we try to accommodate the schedule to get as much in as possible. They’re required two, hour and a half ballet classes per week, many take 3. And they are required to take a technique class in every style that they compete in, with additional optional classes such as progressions, stretch/conditioning etc.
DTP: That is a great schedule. Ballet is where it’s all coming from, so I applaud your dancers tenacity with taking as much as they can. What have been some defining moments for you as teachers and as a studio owner?
MM: A defining moment for me was Star Showcase at KAR Nationals in Las Vegas 2012. We won Intermediate Grand Champions with “Gentle Savior” and Elite with “Fix You.” I honestly didn’t think we’d win both. The kids truly were dancing for their lives and for every ingredient to come together TWICE, it was magical and a moment we’ll never forget.
PB: A moment I will always remember is, in our 3rd year of existence, we qualified with two dances for the FDC’s World’s Championship. Our Hip Hop, “Who We Are,” choreographed by Marissa Osato, placed 4th, and Mark’s senior small group “Heaven,” placed 2nd. But the best part was the buzz there. Dancers from all over the country in the holding area stopped what they were doing and applauded our dancers as they walked off stage. Our dancers were dumbfounded by the support and that in itself felt like we won. It’s not always the trophy that matters. It’s the experience. The way it feels in your soul. The memories the dancers create together – it’s priceless.
DTP: Do you have a preference of competition or convention? Pros and cons of either or both?
MM: Being that I teach on NUVO, I understand the importance of conventions. It’s about pushing yourself outside your comfort zone and seeing/experiencing other dancers to grow from. Convention is such a great venue to be inspired by. I feel like dancers work harder at convention than their own studios. I like to do competition and convention, they’re both important. Convention is about the education and classes while competition is an amazing performance opportunity and to see beautiful pieces from surrounding studios as well.
PB: We have studio staff on two major conventions. As mentioned, Mark is on NUVO and Marissa Osato, our contemporary and hip hop teacher, is on West Coast Dance Explosion. So we definitely stress the importance of attending to our dancers. There is so much knowledge to be gained and we love the kids to be exposed to so much incredible talent in the world. We love competitions as well. We do six regionals per season. We value the benefit of being on stage numerous times with the same pieces. We stress that if there is growth, they’ve done what we’ve asked of them.
DTP: All very valid points. When choreographing, what inspires you? Do you guys work together often?
MM: First and foremost for me is music.
PB: I agree, 100%.
MM: Every year, we do more and more together. We work quickly and finish each other’s movements, like we finish each other’s sentences.
PB: We choreograph about 10 pieces at Cutting Edge together, aside from our individual pieces. We are taking our “act” on the road this year. Mark and I will be choreographing the University of Tennessee’s Jazz Nationals Dance together. We’re SO pumped.
DTP: A real life Roxie and Velma! Minus the crime ha! Any favorite dances or moments as a team in the studio?
MM: “Heaven” for me. It was a piece I created for my dad, as he passed away from cancer days before I choreographed it. It was something I will always treasure and hold dear to my heart. “Fix You” as well. That was for my mom, battling cancer at the time, and she beat it. Those were powerful for me, but I truly love so many.
PB: “Thataway” was a Musical Theatre piece I created in 2009 – our first competitive year. It won our very first National Grand Championship that year. A huge accomplishment for year one. I just loved how the kids dove in to the characters. This year, I’d have to say, “Rhapsody”… Mark and I created it together and it’s just a fun mix of jazz/lyrical/silliness and I love it so much. One of my favorites I’ve ever created is also a Trio called Name of Love. It was one of those where everything just came together and clicked and the 3 girls’ passion, friendship and bond made them take my work to another level. That was a year people knew their names. I wish I could list 33 dances! I love so many!
DTP: What is your favorite part about being a teacher?
PB: The relationships. Watching the growth, week after week, year after year. Being so many of the dancers “rock,” I just love it. I feel so lucky to have been a teacher for so long. This is my 21st year. What?
MM: Making an impact on a child’s life is such an important job and to be able to make a difference in so many kids lives is so rewarding. Most of these kids won’t go on to be professional dancers, but we’re teaching life lessons. I love being a part of shaping and molding the next generation.
DTP: Most definitely. So man life lessons to be learned through dance education. What is your favorite style to choreograph and why?
MM: Lyrical. It’s just so amazing to express the lyrics through your body of movement. It’s the most emotional style and I love bringing that out in dancers.
PB: Musical theatre and lyrical. I love musical theatre cause it’s just so fun to portray different characters. A lot of people do jazz to musical theatre music and that’s not who I am at all. I love authentic, straight off the Broadway stage movement. [And] Lyrical because it’s just so beautiful. The feelings and emotions you can express through your body is everything.
DTP: What have been some of your favorite gigs?
PB: For the last 8 years I’ve been the jazz choreographer for the University of Tennessee, including 3 National Championships. The journey with that school is amazing.
MM: Being the assistant choreographer to Mia Michaels on the Celine Dion show “A New Day” in Las Vegas was definitely one of my favorites.
DTP: How do you stay current and educated as a teacher?
MM: Teaching with the amazing NUVO faculty and seeing amazing dancers across the country each weekend def inspires me.
PB: I travel across the country as a head judge for Kids Artistic Revue and seeing what people are doing and taking our dancers to conventions along with the desire to always bring new life to our dances keeps me inspired.
DTP: If you could work with anyone, dead of alive, who would it be?
PB: Marilyn Monroe. There is an energy she possessed that is so vibrant and inviting. I think it would have been amazing to create on her.
MM: I’ve been so blessed to work with so many amazing and wonderful people as a dancer and choreographer, I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head!
DTP: If you could leave every student who took your class with one piece of advice, what would you leave them with?
PB: I would leave them with the importance of believing in themselves. Our world is tough and we have to be on our own side. I’ve looked at dancers that fall out of something so many times and said, “You weren’t believing in it. Do it again and believe…because you can.” And almost every time, without exaggeration, it’s significantly better. So as Tinkerbell as it sounds, I truly feel like if I died today, I will have made a difference, because of the huge amount of dancers who have thanked me for teaching them the power of believing.
MM: My advice would be always leave with your heart and dance from a real and honest place. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You give and put in a 100%, and you get 100% out of class. If you put in 5%, you get 5%. Dance like it’s the last time you will ever dance again. We don’t know what tomorrow holds so be present and live in the moment. Cherish each moment you get to dance and walk out of the door proud of yourself for the work you put in. Being a dancer is an incredible gift!
DTP: Thank you again to the both of you for your love and passion that you share and spread through our community! I applaud you and look up to you both!
Be sure to follow Mark on his Twitter and Instagram and Patrice on her Twitter and Instagram! Also, check out the Cutting Edge Dance Center website for more information on the studio And Mark’s website for more information on him!
DanceTchrProbs 