Our founders
Where It All Began
A vision born from instinct, creativity, and an unshakable belief in possibility.
The Beginning
On Emily's birthday in April of 2008, a seemingly ordinary phone call set everything in motion. Cassie had applied to work as a makeup artist for a magazine photo shoot — and to her surprise, she landed the job. She asked Emily to come along as her assistant. Without hesitation, Emily said yes.
While Cassie worked with the models, Emily filled the room with confidence, making pretend calls to pretend clients on her Blackberry. Their natural chemistry did not go unnoticed. Later, while shopping at a Steve Madden store in Rittenhouse Square, a salesperson casually asked what they did. Without missing a beat, they replied: "We own a dance and entertainment company." Three years later, that spontaneous answer became reality.
Cassie and Emily officially opened the doors to CaRu Entertainment — a vision born from instinct, creativity, and an unshakable belief in possibility.
"We own a dance and entertainment company."
Chapter Two
The Pact
Cassie and Emily first met during their rookie year on the Philadelphia Wings Angels Dance Team. Within weeks, over a casual lunch, they made a pact: one day, they would open a business together. Cassie shared her dream of opening a dance studio in New Jersey, and Emily responded simply, "I'm in." Words that would ultimately seal their fate.
Professional Experience
Co-hosted Comcast OnDemand's Girls Night Out series and launched the Philadelphia Fight Vixens Dance Team — the second-ever professional dance team in the U.S. for the American National Rugby League.
Creative Pursuit
From flying to Phoenix to audition for So You Think You Can Dance to spending weekends in Los Angeles meeting with professional choreographers, they chased growth wherever it led.
Finding a Home
CaRu began as a NYC-based dance troupe, then expanded into workshops across the tri-state area. In May 2011, Cassie called Emily and said, "Let's do this." Emily's answer was simple: "I'm in."
August 2011
Just days after Cassie wrapped summer camps in Avalon, NJ, and Emily completed her second master's degree, they unlocked the doors to the CaRu Entertainment Dance Complex for the first time. By September, they welcomed their first students.
That spontaneous answer in a Philadelphia shoe store became a reality — and that reality became CaRu Entertainment.