Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Payne
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Dance has always been a part of my life! My journey started when I was three and my mom signed me up for dance classes, because she was not allowed to. It turned into a passion that led me through college, a career in New York and now my own studio.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’d love to see the person who had a smooth road when traveling to the top of a mountain. Big dreams, big goals, deep passions come with tough critics and large road blocks. It’s paving the path unknown, less traveled, definitely unpaved that builds your character, creates the foundation of your integrity and gives you the bumps and bruises that teach you- YOU CAN DO IT!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work started as a dancer. Expanded into a choreographer. Transformed into a teacher and then a studio owner and an education developer. At this point in my career, I’m most proud of my studio, my position as owner/director, and the programs I have developed/created. I’ve always been a learner. I am eager to try new things, explore new opportunities and challenge my mind and body. Now, in my position as studio owner, I am proud of all that I have learned in my craft, my field, my profession, in working with young dancers and from personal experience, know what they are capable of. I don’t really know what sets me apart from others, you’d have to ask my students and colleagues…but I know that I care. I try. I love. It always comes back to the heart of what I do, and it’s dance. When you bring it back to the passion, the drive, the expression…you relate more, learn more, grow more.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
In the last 4 years I have learned not to take anything for granted, you never know what can happen or change in an instant. I have also learned that we as a society need deeper human connection. We live, communicate, socialize, learn and create everything on or through a screen. What we need is more movement, more connection, more vulnerability, more transparency.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artisticpursuit.me
- Instagram: @abeckerpayne, @artistic_pursuit
- Facebook: Ashley Payne, Artistic Pursuit
Image Credits
Everon Event Productions, Encore DCS, Artistic Pursuit