Teenager 'chases dream' and opens dance studio

Maria Radu, a 16-year-old girl, has taken a big step by opening her own dance school called AMR Street Dance. This school is special to her because it is a way for her to give back to the community that welcomed her when she moved from Romania to Plymouth a decade ago. Maria arrived in Devonport when she was just six years old, and she has been running her dance school for six months now while also managing her college studies. She has a strong desire to create a safe and welcoming space for young children, just like she experienced when she first came to England. Maria expressed her feelings by saying, 'I want little children, like I was, to express themselves and to have somewhere where they can feel safe. ' Her mentor, Toby Gorniak, has been a great support for her. He admires her dedication and passion for teaching dance at such a young age. He remarked, 'To be 16 and be teaching and sharing and doing that is a huge, huge thing, so I'm just really proud of her for chasing that dream. ' Reflecting on her childhood, Maria shared how important dance was to her. She said, 'I used to dance every day - it made me feel like I had somewhere to be. ' Dance provided her with a sense of belonging, especially during her early days in Plymouth when she felt like an outsider. The children in her primary school were very friendly and helped her feel accepted. Maria hopes that her dance school can offer the same sense of community to other children who may feel lonely or out of place. She believes that dance can help kids socialize and make friends. Currently, her dance school caters to children up to 15 years old, but she has plans to expand and offer classes for adults in the future. Maria is excited about the journey ahead and is committed to sharing her love of dance with others.