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

Alright, Sara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

My parents put me in dance when I was two and a half years old, and it just kept going from there! I would literally beg my parents for more classes, to send me to intensives and workshops, etc. As I got older, my curiosity and love of dance continued to grow exponentially. I will constantly read and watch anything I can get my hands on to further my knowledge. I love watching my colleagues teach. I actually feel I learn the most from that—-seeing how they structure class, provide feedback, and engage with the students. Knowing what I know now, I would have embraced other forms of dance sooner (such as modern). I wouldn’t let insecurities prevent me from taking classes or trying something new/different.
I think being open-minded and stubborn have been helpful! Even though I was extremely insecure, if I really wanted to do something or try something I did. For example, a lot of people tried to persuade me to not major in dance in college. I dug my heels in, worked as hard as I possibly could, and graduated with my BFA in Dance.
Training in any sport can certainly be expensive! If there was unlimited amounts of money, there’s so much more I would have done. I would have gone to more intensives, gone to more conventions, and just experienced as much as possible. I did get to go to quite a bit—-but I would have done more!

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

I am a freelance dance teacher/choreographer. I have a BFA in Dance from UT Austin. After graduating, I fell into directing a high school drill/dance team and I absolutely loved it. But, the hours put in with that job are insane. So, when my son started kindergarten and I had my daughter, I resigned to be a stay-at-home mom. After taking a year off, I was really unhappy. Dance had always been in my life. Without it, I didn’t know who I was. My husband noted this, and suggested I get back into teaching a little bit by going freelance. I truly didn’t think anyone would hire me, but thanks to director friends and a handful of dance moms, I quickly became busier than I ever expected. So, I now get the privilege of working with dancers and teams all over the Houston area. My main jam is breaking down technique and incorporating strength and conditioning into dancers’ training. I think what sets me apart is that I enjoy working with ALL dancers—not just advanced ones. I love watching a dancer grow from being a beginner and being part of that growth. I also emphasize self-confidence through dance. I want every single dancer that I get to work with to leave our time together feeling great…. tired and sweaty, but great.
I am most proud of all of my former students, whether they’re still dancing or not. I believe that so many life-lessons and life-skills can be learned through dance—perseverance, determination, grit, discipline. I love when a former dancer contacts me because they still say “yes ma’am” a decade later and just realized it. I am just proud of each of them because of the incredible person they’ve grown up to be. (I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true!)

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of my job is just simply working with the kids. Watching them grow in every way possible is just really cool. I love watching the “lightbulb moments”. Seeing the dancers I get to work with accomplish a goal–big or small– is by far the best experience.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I never intended to start off as a dance teacher or high school director. My plan growing up had always been to go to NYC and “live the dream”. I wanted nothing more than dance professionally. I moved back home with my parents for a bit after I graduated to save up money and figure out a plan. During this time, I auditioned for things in the Dallas area and quickly realized I just wasn’t a performer. I just didn’t have the right personality for it. At one audition, during a break a group of dancers came up to me asking for help with the combination. I helped them, of course. They all made it to next round, and I was cut. I felt like that was my big “lightbulb moment”…. . I was actually ok that I was cut and was genuinely happy for the dancers that moved on to next round. So, from there I still took class or did small performances but focused primarily on teaching. I taught at a few studios in the Dallas area and that was when high school drill team directing presented itself to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.danceservicesbysara.com
• Instagram: Dance Services By Sara
• Facebook: Dance Services By Sara
• Linkedin: sara wilson
• Youtube: Dance Services By Sara

Image Credits
Kevin Hoehne, See What Develops HMU: Gaspar Cruz Amelia Rose Photography and HMU