Brown Ballerina Ambassador Jaivyn Beauford Discusses The Importance of Having a Dance Mentor
Returning back to school (whether virtually or not), means stepping into a new level of professional and career development. This time of year is especially exciting for high school juniors and seniors as they prepare for their transition to college. Dancers, like all other students, require support and resources catered to their unique needs in order to optimize their chances of success as they tackle their dreams.
To kick off this month’s Brown Ballerina Ambassador features, meet Jaivyn Beauford, a 16-year-old ballerina who lives in Atlanta, GA. In her interview below, Jai shares her experience finding and embracing a mentor and how they have helped her develop as a dancer and prepare for college.
Photo: Jaivyn Beauford; shot by Shoccara Marcus
Jai’s been dancing since the age of 3 when she started lessons at Norma’s Academy of Dance, where she still trains today. Jai is a part of the school’s Young Arts Academy (YAA), which is a program for dancers who show a deeper level of commitment to their dance training. Students must audition to join the YAA, and as a YAA student, Jai trains for 10-14 hours per week learning various genres of dance including ballet, pointe, tap, modern, contemporary, lyrical, and jazz.
Jai’s College Prep Status
As a rising Junior, my mom reminds me that I currently have a part-time job: preparing and planning for my college experience. I am currently scheduling visits to my "top choice" colleges and universities that I am interested in to help determine and finalize my “top ten” schools. In addition to this, I have dedicated my Sunday afternoons to researching and reviewing scholarship opportunities.
I am interested in studying healthcare science and kinesiology while aspiring to become a doctor of physical therapy. As a dancer, I am very familiar with the importance of your body and the physical health that it requires. My goal is to minor in dance to best position myself as a strong contender for a dance company while I continue my studies to become a physical therapist.
Jai’s Mentor
Erin Rawlings is a choreographer, artist, dance instructor, influencer, coach, and most of all - my magnificent mentor. I say magnificent because Erin is one of the most impressive and influential people that I know. As a student at the University of the Arts studying Dance, Erin is not only conquering her goals, she is paving the way forward by proving it can be done. Over the past year, I watched her train, teach, coach, and continue taking her classes during a very challenging time due to the impact of the pandemic on the arts. Although it was challenging for her, she was persistent about perfecting her craft and staying focused on her goals.
Photo: Erin Rawlings (left) and Jaivyn Beauford; shot by Shoccara Marcus
Erin has been dancing since she was about 2 1/2 years old at Norma's Academy of Dance. She attended Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan where she was able to attain the highest honor as a student by excelling in the arts and her academics. I am honored to have her as a mentor as she consistently leads with her actions by making the best decisions that set her up for success.
The Impact of a Mentor
I actually attended the same elementary school as Erin, where she served as President of the Student Council. I can remember realizing that not only did she attend my elementary school, she attended my dance studio as well. It was right before my summer intensive at the Ailey School when I learned during a workshop the importance of having a mentor. It was then that I began to watch Erin even more closely as a student watches their teacher.
When Erin went away to boarding high school for the arts, I would pick her brain about dance, decisions, and learning about all of her achievements that she accomplished in high school. My family traveled to Interlochen, Michigan from Atlanta to attend Erin's graduation and it was there where I observed her hard work pay off.
My mentor and I have a very honest and trusting relationship. I feel as though I can inquire about anything and Erin will provide feedback, and then challenge me to think and share how I would handle the situation. As my instructor, she also provides corrections that help me challenge myself and grow as a dancer.
Mentorship and College Prep
Erin has significantly helped me prepare for college. She has shared multiple best practices around choosing the best schools to attend based on my interests and area of study. She has also challenged me to determine my primary genre of dance. Along with this, Erin exposed me to Dancewave Through College & Beyond, a nationwide event that serves hundreds of high school students by exposing them to the opportunity to connect with renowned faculty from colleges across the country in the dance industry. This experience allowed me to explore college dance opportunities that would help me navigate efficiently during the college admissions process.
Why All Dancers Should Have a Mentor
Having a mentor as a dancer is very important. I've learned that dance mentors play an integral role in your life as a dancer. This is because they can relate to your experiences and can provide insights into being an artist. As a Brown dancer, there are so many challenges that you face. From finding the right shoes to compliment your dancing to purchasing dancewear that represents you to build your confidence, it is important to have someone you trust and can talk to that understands the many challenges you face.
Dancers become the best when they apply corrections and grow in dance. A mentor is an experienced, trusted adviser who can easily provide feedback and coaching, and this can help the mentee be prepared for what they may experience in dance. As I grow, I can honestly say that I've learned a great deal from my mentor in and outside of the studio. All dancers need a safe place where they can ask for advice and know that the feedback is from someone who understands the world of dance.
Factors to Consider While Seeking Mentorship
When considering a mentor, it is important to be intentional. I believe you should set goals for yourself and choose someone who shares common interests. If you are interested in sports, seek out successful athletes or coaches who enjoy the sport. If you are a dancer, look for other dancers who enjoy the arts and are successful. It is important to have someone who is relatable, honest, and willing to share their experiences with you. To me, mentorship is about growing and learning from others who challenge you as you strive to conquer your goals and become your best. As Bob Proctor stated, “A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you.”
Other Tips for Dancers
If I were asked about "taking yourself to the next level" in dance and achieving your goals, this is what I would share… Being a part of a technique-based studio has changed my life! I have been able to learn at Norma’s Academy of Dance what some dancers learn later in their careers. I am exposed to professional dance instruction, studio etiquette, how to audition, artistry, responsibility, life lessons, best practices, and a host of other fundamentals to help me be my best!
I recommend that you stick with and stay at a studio where you are challenged and are able to see yourself grow year after year with new challenges that allow you to stretch yourself. Learning the key fundamentals of dance along with training before attending college can help you pay for college to continue your learning. Lastly, stay focused on the goal, not everyone else.
“I am in competition with no one. I run my own race. I have no desire to play the game of being better than anyone, in any way, shape, or form. I just aim to improve, to be better than I was before. That’s me and I am free.” – Jenny Perry
Follow Jai’s dance journey on Instagram!
Our Brown Ballerina Ambassador program is designed to create opportunities for young dancers in training to be seen as leaders and to eventually become mentors to other Brown Ballerinas in Training. To find out more about our ambassador program and how you can support it, visit our Ambassador/Mentorship Program page.
Be sure to check out our Brown Ballerina Blog, where we feature spotlights on our Brown Ballerina Ambassadors, updates from our organization, useful tips for ballerinas, interviews with dance professionals, and more!
Note: This interview has been edited for concision and clarity.