LEC's New Home - Help Us Transform Lives
Donation protected
This is the story of Melbourne's La Encantada Collective (LEC) run by the incomparable Elysia Baker & Carlos Veron.
LEC has had thousands of students through its doors and is a sacred place for many. A place to learn to dance, a place where friendships have formed... a home, a family.
La Encantada was established by Elysia in 2018, with the idea and name dreamt up in a hotel room in Mexico on her way back from World Championships in Miami, USA. Advertised as an all-women's training and performance team, those first classes and rehearsals were held in late January 2018 at Transit Dance Studios, Kensington. Elysia brought Carlos to Australia as a guest teacher in June 2018, and again in '19 & '20 when lucky for us, he was stuck here due to Covid. 2019 saw us sign a lease on a small space in Kensington, followed by the upstairs level in 2020 (not the best decision we could have made thanks Covid!) Little did Carlos & Elysia know back in 2018 how quickly LEC would grow to become the icon it is today in Australia's Latin Dance scene.
The original La Encantada promo
Carlos & Elysia SSMC 2018
Well, we have some exciting news... since 2022, behind the scenes, we have been trying to find a new larger space to call home for LEC, and now we can officially announce we have just signed a lease for our new studio home in North Melbourne! 370m2! (Our current spaces are about 85m2!)
Why this new space is going to be incredible for LEC:
- Much bigger studios for our students to continue their dance journey
- All studios have high ceilings
- Much better ventilation and airflow
- A dedicated reception & student area (no more waiting in the staircase!)
- A huge new home for Bailatino social nights
- A more central location located right near North Melbourne train station
- 5-minute walk to Errol Street, North Melbourne
- A supermarket for those dance snacks only 1 minute walk away
Our mission is to nurture connection, ignite energy, and liberate individuals through the transformative power of Latin dance and music.
Can you help us make this space into the dance studio of our dreams?
By getting involved you will be helping us to continue providing for the Melbourne dance community during this rather elaborate fit-out. Your contribution will go towards the following expenses:
- Dance Studio Flooring
- Mirrors (24 metres!)
- Drywalling to separate spaces (creating multiple studios)
- Paint and painting a lot of walls
- Light & Sound Equipment
- Studio furniture
- Branding & Signage interior and exterior
We are so grateful for anything you can assist with, be it a donation, attending our classses, sharing word on our school, google reviews or just helping out with some labour!
Thank you for your help and for being a part of the LEC community!
To many more years dancing with you.
Carlos & Elysia
LEC Directors
Organizer
Elysia Baker
Organizer
Parkville, VIC