Convo with a Dance Pro: Tracey Seymour, Studio Founder and Non-Profit Co-Founder
In our recent blog series, Convo with a Dance Pro, we are interviewing professionals who have careers in the dance industry that are not focused on performing. We want to remind you that there are many routes you can follow using your passion or love for dance.
We recently interviewed Tracey Seymour, the Founder and Artistic Director of The Dance Place and the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Dance Art Dance Non-Profit. Located in Hattiesburg, MS, Tracey has also been a Dance Education Specialist for Hattiesburg Public School District for 26 years.
Tracey started dancing when she was 3. She received formal dance training at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance. She has directed many local dance and cheerleading teams, performing and choreographing for concerts, recitals, camps, pageants, and workshops.
In her interview below, Tracey explains what she loves about her career, including creating a safe space for dancers and parents, advocating for dancers of color, and the power of performance offstage.
Related: Convo with a Dance Pro: Keda Sharber, Photographer and Filmmaker
Photo: Tracey Seymour; shot by Justin Wilson, Paramount Production and Design
Tell us about your path to becoming a studio owner and founder of Dance Art Dance. Did you stumble upon the career, or have you always known what you wanted to be?
I've wanted to have a dance school since I was 16. I wanted dancers who are Brown and Black, who look like me, to have an inviting space to dance - a place where they would feel valued and uplifted and where their parents would feel appreciated.
Related: Dance Teachers: 5 Ways to Set Good Vibes in Your Studio
What do you love most about your career?
Advocating for Brown and Black girls; encouraging them. Helping them along with public speaking, spatial and body awareness, Black girl professional swag, and confidence through dance. I'm blessed that everyone who attends classes at The Dance Place wants to be here. It's a safe space - a place of peace.
Resonantly, I've made a connection with another local studio owner, and together we have created a community Nutcracker that we entitled “The Stereo-Cracker - a Winter Production.” It's about breaking stereotypes in performance and in life. The show encompasses local school-age kids through adult performers. The winter showcase features: beautiful ballet dancers with falling snow, sassy tappers, praise and liturgical dancers, adult singers, little boys engaged in play education on stage and much more. It's truly a happy, Christmas variety show!
Have you ever had a moment when you were given a clear sign that this is where you’re meant to be? If so, tell me about it.
The greatest honor and confirmation for me is when my former students send their dancers to me at The Dance Place or to us for the non-profit organization's Christmas show.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced along the way? How did you overcome them?
Funding. I've never been successful getting funding for a business that is for-profit. Trying a couple different grant preparers didn't prove fruitful for us. There's so much more I'd love to be able to do with proper funding, rather than just operating off tuition (when there's mounting business expenditures always to take care of).
Do you have any advice for someone who may want to follow a similar career path?
GOD. Pray and stand on His word, while maintaining focus. Ignore naysayers. Also, write the vision and make it plain. That's biblical.
What is the impact you’d like to make through your career?
I'm not setting out to create Broadway nor professional dancers. I am a part of these families' villages. I am helping to create great people with charisma, who will succeed in every area of their lives because of the drive, confidence, and self-motivation that we are instilling through dance and performance.
In addition, my dancers score well on standardized tests due to their critical thinking skills and the creative processes that we utilize. I don't take it lightly that my students are watching me. They don't have to live up to what I do. I have to live up to a positive image that will encourage their everyday walk and daily growth.
Is there anything you’d like to add for anyone reading this?
Our vision at The Dance Place is to offer children the best dance foundation possible. Dance stimulates the mind, enhances test scores, produces creative thinking and cultivates cultural, intellectual individuals.
It is important that every child has the opportunity to be exposed to refined learning skills while gaining physical development. Here at The Dance Place, we will give every student that opportunity. So give your child the gift of grace, coordination, poise, and self-disciple by enrolling. For excellence in dance, choose The Dance Place.
Connect with Tracey and learn more about The Dance Place on Facebook, Instagram, or by visiting their website at www.tdp1998.com.