Santa Barbara Dance Arts Purchases 14K

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The owner and artistic director of Carpinteria’s 14K Jules Dance Academy is passing the torch, after 14 years, to Santa Barbara Dance Arts directors Steven Lovelace and Alana Tillim.

14K boasts more than 175 students in jazz, ballet, tap, and lyrical dance, and tumbling, but Rubio-Shamblin decided to sell it to Lovelace and Tillim when she was offered full-time teaching gig at Carpinteria High School. Under a new name—Dance Arts Carpinteria—all three artistic directors hope to expand the studio’s repertoire, and offer financial aid to aspiring dancers from both Santa Barbara and Carpinteria.

An integral part of Carpinteria’s arts scene for nearly two decades, Rubio-Shambling will continue to teach dance at the studio despite the change in ownership, in addition to coaching cheer at Carpinteria High and teaching at the Boys and Girls Club. Lovelace and Tillim are local celebrities in their own right, teaching a combined total of more than two dozen classes per week while running the 500-student strong Santa Barbara Dance Arts—a center for dance, music, fine art, and retail. The changes that the two seek to make to Rubio-Shamblin’s establishment are all positive, Tillim said: bonus performances, an expanded class schedule, and additional opportunities for financial assistance from the Arts Mentorship Program (AMP). They also want to make some improvements in communication and a few other policies.

“We see this as not so much a change of ownership, but more of a collaboration of three major forces,” Tillim said. “This will finally get Carp and Santa Barbara to come together.” The three artistic directors have crossed paths over the years on youth projects and community performances, but the studio merger certainly marks their biggest endeavor to date.

Lovelace and Tillim intend to keep the academy’s locally minded essence in place. “Julie has really created something with so much heart,” said Tillim.

An Open House for Carpinteria Dance Arts will be held on Sunday, August 8, from 4pm-7pm. Classes for Dance Arts Carpinteria begin August 30, and for Santa Barbara Dance Arts, September 20. For more information visit sbdancearts.com or call (805) 566-1032

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