Sierra Barajas knows how beneficial dance can be and opened 127 Dance Studio in Hemet with her husband Tyrone to help others learn. “Dance gives anyone the opportunity to release so much and give back,” she said. “Dance is such a powerful tool to tell a story and make a person feel good, bring people together and make change through different concepts.”
On Dec.16, the studio is presenting “Emmanuel: A Christmas Dance Story” at the Hemet High School Theater, 41701 Stetson Ave., for its annual dance concert. Guests are encouraged to “enjoy a modern-day dance production celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.” Based on the story of Jesus, the original show is choreographed by Tyrone and 127 Dance Studio staff/teachers. The script was written by Tyrone and co-directed by him and Sierra. “It’s an original take on the story of Jesus but through dance and it will evolve over time,” Sierra said. “We want to begin creating our original dance productions with powerful and positive lasting impacts for the community and world.” The 90-minute production will feature 35-40 dancers, ages 3-30.
Sierra, a busy young mother of three boys under the age of five was born and raised in San Diego before moving to Hemet in 2004, where she still lives with her husband of five years, Tyrone. “I graduated from Hemet High School in 2011 and received my bachelor’s degree in dance and choreography with magna cum laude honors from the University of California, Riverside in 2017.” She opened her first dance studio shortly after that when she was just 24 years old. “My main reason was to glorify God with my gift in teaching and dancing,” she said. “My first job was in a dance studio right after I graduated high school. That is where I discovered my love to choreograph dance pieces with powerful meaning that can change and impact others’ lives. Dance is a powerful tool that can reach many people in different ways.”
Dancing comes naturally to Sierra, who has always loved to dance but really began serious training in her high school and college years. She began teaching at age 17 so a lot of her training came through hands-on experience, but said she received more in-depth and professional training during her college years at Mt. San Jacinto Community College and UCR. She faithfully serves at Light of Hope Community Church alongside her husband, who is a youth minister there, but also serves through singing worship at the church and leading the praise dance ministry. Sierra loves serving the Lord and desires to share Jesus Christ through dance and the arts.
Tyrone has been inspired by music and theater to create his own work to glorify God. He is passionate about his role as a youth minister and aspires to focus on his degree in ministry. Tyrone takes great pleasure in being the manager/partner and competition and artistic director for 127 Dance Studio. He continues to look forward to impacting lives with the gospel of Jesus Christ through the art of dance, theater and ministry.
Tyrone’s training was accomplished hands-on in a dance studio and he learned all his teaching and choreographic techniques in a dance studio setting. He gained the artistic director role over many years, starting at age 21. He has a heart for youth, especially foster youth and also teaches at bible clubs at some Hemet Unified School District schools.
“The idea for 127 was born in a time of crisis,” Tyrone said. “Many people had no idea how COVID-19 was going to affect the world. However, in that time of crisis, my wife and I found a scripture, Genesis Chapter 1, Verse 27. We felt that God was speaking to us through the scripture very clearly. We needed to create a place where dancers can go to find their true identity. The scripture tells us that we were made in the image of God so we knew if we created an atmosphere where dancers can dance, for Jesus, they would have purpose, power and passion. After reading the scripture, my wife and I looked at each other and said, ‘This is it, 127 is it’ and we never looked back.”
Sierra said, “We always want everything to come from His word and leading up to this name we had been praying about a name that can touch others and relate to everyone. When our dancers look in the mirror they are constantly reminded that they are created in God’s image.”
Now both 30 years old, Sierra said she and Tyrone want to continue to inspire young people to go for their dreams and not let anyone stop them. The couple currently teaches students ages 3 and up with a focus on various styles of hip hop, modern contemporary, performance and video projects and competitions. Sierra said they are working on a newer focus for their studio that will be announced at the beginning of the year. Another change coming in 2024 will be the studio’s location. The couple is in the process of looking for another location to move into at year’s end. The studio has been able to provide sponsorships to some dancers, but the hope is to give even more to those who have a passion to pursue dance and have a career in this field.
The family-oriented studio welcomes all levels of dance experience. The upcoming Christmas program is one of about five public events the studio has hosted this year, with plans to increase that amount in 2024.
Presale dance concert tickets, available now, are $15 each and at-door tickets will be $20. Raffle tickets will also be on sale for $1-$5. Only cash, Zelle and Cash App will be accepted. Seating will be self-assigned at the time of ticket purchase. The 127 Dance Studio at 4000 E. Florida Ave. Suite 116 is open Monday 6:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesday 5-8:30 p.m. and Thursday 4:30-8:30 p.m.
For questions or more information, 951-390-3564, www.127dance.com or 127dancestudio@gmail.com.
