We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachel Wilson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachel below.

Rachel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I came up with the idea for this business based on a need in our small, yet growing town. As a young girl, I loved performing every genre of dance- ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, tap, and pom- you name it. I attended classes at studios in my community and became a member of a local competitive dance company, and a member of the Stillwater High School Pom Squad. During my teen years, I realized I wanted to pursue additional levels of competitions, as well as a collegiate level of dance. These goals were something I had set my heart on.

During weekends, in the summer, and over school breaks, I began attending programs in other cities to supplement my training- ballet classes in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, as well as prestigious dance intensives of varied dance genres in Chicago, New York City, and the Atlanta area- to name just a few. These programs were instrumental in further developing and advancing the technique and skills necessary to achieve my future goals. I accomplished my goal of becoming a four year member (and eventually the captain) of the elite Oklahoma State University Pom Squad. In addition, I auditioned to be a Universal Dance Association instructor, which led to teaching at high school and collegiate dance team camps for four years, the last two of which I served as a Head Instructor. I went on to earn a degree in elementary education from OSU, then taught elementary school for five years, earning the title of Sangre Ridge Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2023.

During my collegiate years, I continued to teach dance and discovered a love of choreography and coaching. I choreographed and directed national title winning solos, duets, and group numbers for regional and national dance competitions. I became the head coach of the Stillwater High School Pom Squad. Stillwater High School Pom has won multiple state titles during my tenure, as well as currently being ranked third in the nation in hip hop. Last season, I was named Head Dance Coach of the Year for the eastern portion of Oklahoma by OSDTDA. This summer, I attended an extensive ballet training program in NYC and became certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. American Ballet Theatre has one of the most revered ballet training programs in the world, and only a handful of Oklahoma ballet instructors have achieved this honor.

I have now decided to pursue my dream of owning and directing my own dance studio in the community I love. This opportunity is not without risk. I have decided to devote my career to dance studio ownership and directing. This decision was a direct result of the times my family made many sacrifices to pay for advanced training outside of our community, and how I traveled and trained for countless hours at other studios and dance intensives that offered the levels of training I wished to achieve. As there are many talented, motivated dancers in Stillwater and neighboring communities, I desire for these dancers to have a local affordable opportunity in which to train in the most comprehensive types of programs so they can follow their own dreams. It makes me excited and teary eyed to know that I am giving these dancers access to an incredible education that focuses on technical excellence- one that I wish I was given, so near to my home.

I am bringing some fresh new concepts to the Stillwater dance training scene that incorporate two levels of competitive dance companies, as well as a hip hop all-star team- “Collective25 Crew”. There are also recreational opportunities for students who do not wish to compete. The studio provides training in ballet (having two Progressing Ballet Technique certified instructors trained in the Vaganova method and certified in ABT National Training Curriculum), jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, hip hop, pom technique, collegiate dance team prep, acro, and musical theater, as well as several other disciplines. I have assembled a faculty of dance instructors with incredible resumes and teaching experience who have been products of these types of elite dance programs in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arizona. In addition, I offer classes and choreography from some of the brightest, best, and most notable coaches and choreographers in the dance industry- bringing these instructors and resources directly to Stillwater dancers for training in the studio.

The new studio is named Collective25. At Collective25, we are committed to the rigorous pursuit of excellence in the art of dance. Our mission is to cultivate a disciplined and highly focused environment where dancers of all ages can safely develop skills with dedication, passion, and proper guidance along the way. We will strive to not only instill technical proficiency in our students, but also resilience, confidence, and positive self-talk.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I answered the last question in this manner I believe, before I saw this one! But I will expand a bit past my background and share what I am most proud of/more about my work.

I think what I’m most proud of is the culture and environment we’ve built. Setting high expectations and raising the standard for dance in Stillwater reflects how deeply I believe in my dancers, as they deserve someone who is fully invested in their education. Our culture is encouraging, grace-filled, and positive, and I’m so proud of our staff for staying true to that mission from the very first day of classes. We’ve created a safe, welcoming space where everyone- students, instructors, office staff, parents- leaves feeling better and happier than when they walked in. Our goal is to enrich each student’s experience with dance.

I want potential clients and followers to see how committed I am to this work and to the lasting impact I hope to continue making on dancers of all ages. I also want them to feel passionate about the training their child is receiving- because it DOES matter. Safety, correct teaching methods, and attentive spotting/instructional practices are not just class essentials- they are foundational to a dancer’s long-term growth. The quality of instruction a dancer receives can shape their technique, confidence, and ultimately the trajectory of their career. When these elements are prioritized, they create an environment where dancers can reach their full potential while minimizing the risk of injury and developing strong, sustainable habits in a positive environment.

Dance teaches so many life skills, and I encourage anyone interested in pursuing dance to find a studio that feels like home- where you’re challenged, encouraged, and celebrated.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson that I had to unlearn is that what’s best for kids is not always what’s easiest for adults.

Throughout my entire dance career, I have been involved in environments that have somewhat prioritized the needs and conveniences of adults over the dancer’s education. It felt easier in that moment, but I realized it wasn’t serving the dancers the way they deserved. Letting small things slide, like sitting while teaching/not maintaining an active energy level for class, not having a clear plan submitted for class or enough material prepared, and even failing to model proper dress code at times contributed to the lackluster environment.

Over time, I have noticed that dancers thrive most when the adults hold themselves to higher standards. That meant, initially, setting clear expectations for my staff, being diligent about responsibilities (even when it comes to daily cleaning and studio upkeep), and investing in ongoing training to strengthen their knowledge base- everyone is busy, but it is so important that we learn new teaching strategies and techniques to better our students. It was an adjustment from prior experiences, but it’s made all the difference in creating an environment where students feel cared for, challenged, and supported at the highest level. If we expect them to perform at a high level, we must first set that example ourselves.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What has helped build my reputation in this market is a combination of raising the standard for dance training in Stillwater and creating a culture where students feel both challenged and supported. I have positive outcomes in the competitive scene. With a background in elementary education, I also understand the developmental and emotional needs of children, and I’ve applied that knowledge to how we structure classes, set expectations, and nurture each dancer. Families know their children are in an environment that is positive, professional, and intentional, as well as where instructors are held to high standards, the space is well cared for, and ongoing training is prioritized. That balance of high expectations and genuine care has set us apart and established trust with parents and dancers alike. Becoming an ABT NTC certified educator has further tested my professionalism and given me new tools to ensure my students receive exceptional, developmentally appropriate instruction.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://collective25dance.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collective25dance/

Image Credits

Hollee Koester, Party Favor Stillwater (Meredith Collvins), She Bakes, She Bakes (Mindy Vann)