Founded by DustBunny, the VR Dance Academy opened its virtual doors on January 1, 2022, amidst the global pandemic, offering a creative sanctuary as physical dance studios shut down worldwide. For DustBunny, the academy fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a dance studio dedicated to artistic expression.

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Dusty's dance journey began at age eleven with Belly Dancing, a passion she honed for over two decades. Since 2010, she has taught and performed dance in local studios, sharing her love for dance with the community.

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In December 2018, Dusty ventured into VRChat with full-body VR technology, launching weekly Belly Dance classes and engaging her community through live streams on Twitch and YouTube. With a background in Smooth and Latin ballroom dancing, she previously worked at a local studio before transitioning to full-time teaching in VR.

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In addition to Belly Dancing and Ballroom, Dusty has experience in a variety of dance styles including Hawaiian Hula, Bollywood, Freestyle, Hip Hop, Flow Arts, Flamenco and more. She stays active with Pilates, Gym Fitness, and has practiced Yoga and Meditation since 2010, all of which she integrates into VRDA wellbeing classes.

 

The VR Dance Academy has participated in major VRChat community events such as PJKT Community, The Virtual Reality Show, VKet, VRCon, Sly Fest and more. As one of the pioneering dance businesses in VRChat, VRDA is recognized for its innovative approach to virtual dance education. VRDA's Raindance Immersive Show "Shadow Canyon: A Puppeteer's Tale" was honored with a nomination for Best Immersive Dance Experience at Raindance Immersive 2024 and received the Spirit of Raindance Award. The academy has also been featured by VRChat and HTC Vive.

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Currently, DustBunny works with students to innovate ballroom dancing and dance performances in VR, pushing the boundaries of VR. She has expanded her team with passionate instructors and introduced a variety of new classes, enriching the VR Dance Academy's offerings and inspiring people worldwide. In addition to dance classes, the academy now offers yoga, fitness, film, theater, and art classes.

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Through the VR Dance Academy, Dusty fosters a welcoming community where individuals of all backgrounds and skill levels can explore, learn, and grow together, bridging the gap between physical and virtual spaces with creativity and passion.