Meet Ashley Kohl, the Owner and Creative Director of Ohana School of Performing Arts and the Founder/President of the non-profit organization One Ohana, Inc. Dance has been a central part of her life, inspired by her mother, a ballerina who founded Technique Studio of Dance in 1997. Despite her initial dream of being a performer and a career in TV as a host and producer, a moving experience covering a dance class for all abilities compelled Ashley to create opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to engage in dance. Facing personal challenges and a career transition, she took a bold step to start her own dance studio. She rebranded her mother’s studio into what is now known as Ohana.
Ohana School of Performing Arts, established nine years ago, offers a wide range of dance classes in styles such as ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, musical theater, acrobat, and pointe. The studio also hosts birthday parties, workshops, camps, and events designed to bring people together. Located at 41-43 Sheridan Street in Chicopee, MA, Ohana serves the surrounding communities, including Springfield, West Springfield, Westfield, Holyoke, Ludlow, South Hadley, Granby, and Belchertown, with a mission to spread peace and positivity through dance and the performing arts.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you? Pursue your Passion. Kirk Nugent, a motivational speaker who I had the privilege to hear, delivered a slam poetry reading at a local event that profoundly impacted me. His powerful message, “Don’t you dare die with your greatness within you,” continues to inspire me to pursue my passion and live my purpose.
What motivates you? I’m driven by the joy of making people happy. The smiles on dancers’ faces around the studio, the parents who tell me “my child absolutely loves to dance; coming to class brings them so much joy,” the parents who tell me that Ohana is their “happy place” or their “home away from home”…and the excitement radiating from my all abilities class every other Wednesday as they dance across the floor—these moments fuel my passion. Being able to contribute to the happiness of others is what truly motivates me.
If your business had a theme song, what would it be? The perfect theme song for Ohana would be “Better When I’m Dancin” by Meghan Trainor. This energetic and uplifting song couldn’t be more perfect! It captures the essence of joy, unity, and celebration that defines Ohana. Whenever you hear this song, you’ll feel the irresistible urge to dance, smile, and cherish those special moments with your loved ones.
What’s one tool, app, or strategy that’s been a game-changer for your business? Community over competition! It’s so important to support other businesses in our industry. To collaborate and connect. Speak kindly about others. We truly rise by lifting each other. There’s immense beauty and fulfillment in supporting others!
How does your business give back or get involved locally? Giving back to the community and to others is what the mission of Ohana is built on. Ohana puts on a Holiday Wishes performance every December that raises money for Make A Wish MA & RI and One Ohana, Inc., as well as another beneficiary that changes each year. Our goal is to raise $10,000 each year. Our Performance Teams perform at community events and raise money to help support non-profits; such as Afri(k)que’s International Women’s Day Event, Brittney’s Believers “Bands for Brittney”, Thunderbirds Pink in the Rink night to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness, etc. We support The Kind Squad by donating toys, collect food for the Western Mass Food Bank and sponsor several community events throughout the season. We also donate $500 to a different local non-profit organization at the end of each season.
What motto/quote do you always try to live by? I have 1 motto and 1 quote that I live by. The motto is: “Peace, love & good vibes always.” To me, this means being authentic, being kind and loving towards everyone, showing support to others and bringing good energy everywhere I go.
The quote is: ““We are visitors on this planet. We are here for one hundred years at the very most. During that period we must try to do something good, something useful, with our lives. if you contribute to other people’s happiness, you will find the true meaning of life.” ― Dalai Lama XIV
If you could offer one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be? You are ENOUGH. You are unique and different and beautiful just the way you are. Stop trying to be like everyone else. Be YOU.
Tell us about your family! I love my family! Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. Meet my wonderful family: My daughter Summer (12) loves playing soccer, dancing, assisting, and has a strong-willed, loyal, and passionate spirit with a beautiful soul. My son Brody (11) is a lacrosse, golf, and football enthusiast. He is fun-loving, sensitive, caring, and always thoughtful. My fiancé, Wade Bassett, is not just my best friend but my love. He is the most honest, selfless, genuine, generous, and incredible human. I am so lucky to be surrounded by such magic.
What’s your all-time favorite song or band? I LOVE Andy Grammer. His music has such meaningful lyrics. They resonate so deeply with me. He sings so happily about the deep stuff. Like, how you can’t take it with you, so spend more time with people and less money on things. How pain is a good thing because it makes you stronger. That love is the new money. “You’re tellin’ me that we’ve agreed to tie self-worth to what we’re paid? What a grave mistake we’ve made.” Amen. Let’s all measure our lives in love <3
Learn more about One Ohana Inc. here
Learn more about Ohana School of Performing Arts here
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