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

Dawn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

They kept me on a busy schedule. Everyday I was either in dance class, modeling or acting classes l.

This enabled me to have a hard work ethic and trained me to have constant motivation towards my goals.

Dawn, 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?

I began my dance career at the tender age of 2.5. I joined the local dance studio until I turned 6, then moved to a more established professional studio for better training and performance opportunities.

Training with the Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center in Queens, NY gave me the technique and performance skills one needs to pursue a professional career in dance. It was here that I learned of the famous High School of Performing Arts where I auditioned and graduated with a degree in Dance.

During my Highschool years I had additional dance training on scholarship with the Alvin Ailey American Dance School, Madame Darvarsh School of Ballet and Dickerson Ballet school in Freeport, NY.
*Who’s who of American Students – Honorable Mention for Young Arts Awards

After receiving my BA in Media Studies from Suny Old Westbury College I opened a small dance studio for two years then moved to Orlando Florida with my family and two children.

Upon arrival in Orlando , Ive established myself as an independent dance educator , director and choreographer for over the past 20 years.

I’ve produced and choreographed “Eden” – A Dawn Branch Production , Artistic Director of Dawn Branch Works – A Contemporary Dance Company and taught dance at various universities and schools across the country.

I’m currently teaching classes online @Dawnbranchworks.com and Peaches Dance and Music Orlando, Mount Dora School of Ballet and Movez Dance studio.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

It was March of 2020 when Covid started and we were preparing for my annual dance production of “Eden”.

The state ordered the shut down of all public events the day before our show date. Up until that time , I payed the dancers , rent for theater and rehearsal space with the production income.

The show was almost sold out but then I had to return the ticket money to the patrons and was left broken and in the red.

Fortunately I was able to recoup the deposit for the theater. It was a very trying time for everyone.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I had the dream of producing my own production I had to create a funding plan. I charged each dancer to participate for group dances, solo performances and a standard registration and audition fee.

I used the funds to pay for the professional dancers, production team, production costs , theater and costumes

Contact Info:

• Website: Dawnbranchworks.com
• Instagram: @Dawnbranchworks
• Facebook: Dawn Branch Works
• Youtube: Dawn Branch Works