Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ashley Claybrook. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Ashley , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Pursuing a creative/artistic path professionally has been my goal since I took my first dance class with Ms. Candance when I was 8 years old. I will always remember my dance teachers/mentors who invested their time and love in me. My dance teachers helped mold me into the dancer and human I am today. They gave me the motivation to continue in the arts and inspired me to positively impact all of my students growing up in the arts.

Ashley , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Dance has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a family that constantly had music and art surrounding us. When I was 8 years old, my parents decided to put me in dance and I truly fell in love with the art. I danced competitively until I was 17 years old; taking on my first professional job as a dancer when I turned 18.
I have been a dancer for 22 years training in various styles of dance including: jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, contemporary, modern and hip hop.

I moved to St. Louis, MO in 2010 where I began dancing professionally with The Ashleyliane
Dance Company. I have performed in a number of events in the St. Louis community and in ADC
produced Dance Concerts. I served as the Assistant Director and Contributing Choreographer for the
ADC Junior Training Program for many years.

While I danced in a professional company, I started teaching and choreographing for local studios at age 18. I have worn many hats in the dance industry as many artists do. I am a dance instructor, music director, competition stage manager, competition judge and an award-winning choreographer for several studios and dance teams in the St. Louis, Columbia and Illinois areas. I have taught a plethora of master classes and travel to share my love of dance with many. I found a passion for teaching and choreographing that soon became my main focus in my career.

I have had the honor to teach for multiple dance studios, companies and dance teams during my 14 years of instructing/choreographing. I knew guiding dancers and young artists was a strong part of my journey so when I was given the opportunity to purchase my first dance studio – I jumped right in.

I purchased my first dance studio in 2018 and became the Owner/Artistic Director in my long time
home, DPU Dance. I have taught and choreographed for the Competition Team, “The Company” at
DPU for 14 years. I purchased my second dance studio, FDC Dance, in August of 2022. I have been very
humbled by the overwhelming support of the dance community along this journey. I am unbelievably honored to work with so many wonderful students, my incredible faculty and the dance community.

My vision for the dance community is driven by inclusivity. I want my dance studios to be open, welcoming communities for all. Dance is an industry that needs constant change and accountability. As an owner, I am constantly working on communication and the safety of our dancer’s minds, bodies and experience. My studios/businesses will continue to be a driving force of love in our dance community. We have created a beautiful space for strong training, advocating for all our humans with open arms/minds and most importantly conducting our business with integrity for our dancers, staff and community.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My vision and mission for my creative journey is driven by inclusivity. I want my dance studios to be open, welcoming communities for all. Dance is an industry that needs constant change and accountability.

As an owner, I am constantly working on communication and the safety of our dancer’s minds, bodies and experience. My studios/businesses will continue to be a driving force of love in our dance community. We have created a beautiful space for strong training, advocating for all our humans with open arms/minds and most importantly conducting our business with integrity for our dancers, staff and community.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I do believe choosing a creative pathway as a profession can cause confusion or doubt among those that are in more traditional types of jobs. The stability of creative or artistic professions can be viewed as inconsistent; this is truly not the case for my journey.

Throughout my dance career, I did have to work extremely hard to ensure the opportunities were available. I gained great experience networking and creating connections with other creatives. This brought a great sense of community to my career that I feel you find in all creative professions.

I have worked as an artist for 14 years and for myself as an Owner for over 6 years and will never look back! I wake up everyday to invest my time in my own business and future. I am able to sustain my lifestyle by using my favorite thing: dance. As my dad always says, make your passion your paycheck. It is beautifully rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dpu.dance
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.claybrook/ https://www.instagram.com/danceproductionsunlimited/ https://www.instagram.com/formationsdancecenter_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danceproductionsunlimited

Image Credits
Russo Photography Brand B Photography