Emily Granholm grew up dancing ~ but it wasn’t always pretty. “My parents sent me to dance because I looked like I was having a seizure whenever music came on,” she said.

Three-year-old Granholm began with ballet and never stopped. A few years later, she took her tutus to the North Andover School of Dance, where she danced through high school before studying choreography at Dean College. In 2009, she founded Stylized Movement, Inc., a nonprofit organization with the mission to unite Central Massachusetts dancers, choreographers, musicians and other artists.

“I want to engage the community and give them an outlet and a stage (on which) to perform,” said Granholm, who is also the artistic director of Stylized Movement. “There aren’t a ton of semi-pro dance opportunities in Central Massachusetts. After high school, most people never dance again. There are so many talented people out there, but there’s nowhere for them to branch off to.”

Granholm was one of those talents who didn’t have an opportunity to use her choreography degree after college. “I am a Type 1 diabetic, so when I graduated, I needed a full-time job with benefits,” she said. “I couldn’t run off to New York City to dance and waitress to get by.”

Granholm took a job as a human resources manager at Revolabs in Sudbury six years ago but missed dancing. She started Stylized Movement to give herself a creative outlet for choreography and extended the opportunity to others like her. Now 29, she’s two-thirds of the way to earning an MBA in human resources and non-profit leadership and is more motivated than ever to share her love of the arts with the Worcester community.

“I love to dance, choreograph and inspire people,” said Granholm. “That’s why I created this company. I’m a normal girl, no different than anybody else. I want to feel like I am doing something for the community that’s beneficial. It feels good.”

Stylized Movement not only aims to engage local artists but encourages them to collaborate and join forces for a greater cause ~ giving back. Every year, the organization puts on an annual show and donates the proceeds to a local charity (this year, the beneficiary was the Leary Firefighters Foundation). Money from the group’s classes is also donated.

“When people take a class, I ask them to donate what they feel class would be worth ~ $10 or $20. It’s affordable and supports a great cause,” she said.

Dancers interested in joining Stylized Movement classes don’t need experience. “Everyone can dance,” Granholm said, adding that a few of her dancers started with a yoga base. “People have these preconceptions in their heads that they can’t; you just have to close your eyes and push those out.”

Creating a comfortable environment that is conducive to learning is one of Granholm’s top priorities. “People think they look stupid or think others are laughing at them, but they’re not. I don’t ever want anyone to feel like that.”

The organization is also for people who think they might be too experienced. “If you think you’re the best you can be, you are mistaken. There is always another level you can go. You need to keep learning,” she said. 

Stylized Movement has dancers of all types and styles ~ from breakdancers to bunheads ~ and is looking for more local participation. “We’re still in the growing phase, and there are so many different directions we can go in,” Granholm said. She hopes that one day the organization will encompass all aspects of the arts, with subcategories in dance, music and visual arts.

“There is such value in the arts, and it’s not highlighted enough,” she said. “They have inspired people for decades and influenced cultures over time.”

Including Granholm, who still might be sporting some awkward moves if it weren’t for dance. “The arts have inspired me; they have been everything to me for years,” she said, adding that she’s been running Stylized Movement on her own dime to help the cause. “There’s so much need.”

Stylized Movement will hold auditions for its new season this month. Check out stylizedmovement.org for more information. If you’re interested in taking a class, email Granholm at Emily@stylizedmovement.org. 

By Kimberly Dunbar | Photos by Mike Nyman Photography.