The Stanley Family
Hello Pas De Deux family and Happy New Year! It is truly an honor to be chosen for January’s family of the month. We are the Stanley family: Dustin (dad), Ashley (mom), and Sonya (6 years old).
Sonya began her dance journey at Pas De Deux when she enrolled in their Creative Movement class. She was 3 years old at the time and had never taken formal dance classes prior. Sonya has been musically inclined since she was a toddler as she would regularly memorize Disney movie songs and perform them in front of her family.
She performed in her first Pas De Deux recital in June 2023 and loved every minute of it. This experience further fueled her passion for dance when she joined Pas De Deux’s Petite Prep Jazz and Ballet competition groups the following dance season.
Last year, Sonya competed in 4 dance competitions (Starpower, Energy, Jump, and Spotlight). At the Jump dance convention, she had an opportunity to try other dance genres such as hip hop, ballroom, and tap. When asked what her favorite genre is, Sonya simply said “I love them all!” Currently, Sonya is in Pas De Deux’s Mini Prep Jazz and Ballet competition groups as well as their Petite Prep Hip-Hop competition group.
Dustin is a police officer of the Honolulu Police Department and currently assigned to the District 1 Misdemeanor Follow-Up Detail. Ashley is a board certified geriatric nurse practitioner with over 20 years of healthcare experience. She owns and operates her own medical housecalls practice where she sees homebound elderly patients as their primary care provider. Both Dustin and Ashley dedicate their lives to serving the community as they recognize the impact that communities such as Pas De Deux have in their child’s growth and well-being.
Aside from fostering children’s dance, vocal, and acting skills, Pas De Deux instills confidence and provides opportunities for socialization among their students. The studio also provides support for families trying to navigate the performance world. We see how dance parent acquaintances later become true “dance families” who can lean on each other throughout their various dance journeys.
Thank you Wendy, Jeremy, Noe, and all the teachers and staff at Pas De Deux for your relentless support and encouragement as Sonya continues a long and magical dance journey ahead!
