We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brieanna Hall. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brieanna below.
Brieanna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I first realized that I wanted to be creative or take the creative path once I put on my first production. I initially started Beyond Dance Company because I wanted a space for adult dancers who still wanted to perform and perfect their craft. Once I decided to put my first production together, I fell in love with the entire process. The choreography, music, lighting, staging, costumes, programs, tickets, etc… The capability to give the audience a different view, feeling or experience through my vision is thrilling. I knew immediately that I would use my business to change and touch lives, rather as a student, performer or audience member.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Brieanna Hall, and I am the owner and Creative Director of Beyond Dance Company. I started dancing at the age of three and immediately fell in love. Throughout the years I perfected my craft and skills. I’ve been dancing for over three decades and I’ve been teaching for 15 years. I’ve studied and performed throughout Michigan with choreography and performing, attributing too much of my dance experience. Beyond Dance Company initially started as an adult company for like-minded adult dancers/retired dancers who wanted to continue to take class and perform. The adult company was a success, but I continued to receive constant requests to teach smaller age groups. I eventually gave in and opened my business doors to ages 3-up. Beyond Dance Company has always been a positive and Christian based studio. The studio name speaks volumes to our belief system, its more than dance its ministry and worship. We believe that dance is a gift and talent that is God given and should be used in a positive way.
Over the years we have grown from a small company with 8 members renting out a room to now owning our own space of 3,000 square feet with 30 plus students. Although we are still considered small for a dance studio, we believe in nurturing what we have and pushing our students to reach their full potential. I started my business teaching all the classes myself and offering only ballet, liturgical and jazz. We now offer a multitude of dance classes, gymnastics courses, dance workshops and cheerleading camps. We’ve grown drastically and I contribute the growth to my love and passion for my students and my craft. I am proud of my growth, but I am most proud of my students. Those who have grown and blossomed in the dance arena and real world. My students who have graduated and went on to pursue careers in dance and the performing arts. The students who are now teaching and choregraphing alongside me and those who simply gain experience and skills that are learned from working as a team through hard work and dedication.
I am excited to announce that our program is continually growing, and we are now open 6 days a week. We offer a variety of classes including ballet, jazz, lyrical, liturgical, competitive pom pom, competitive dance, gymnastics/acro, hip-hop and tap. We offer mommy me and classes for 1–2-year old and all other classes beginning at age 3 through 18. We also volunteer in the public-school arena and often perform at church/talent show opportunities or events. For the past 5 years we’ve offered a full day summer dance camp including breakfast, lunch, snacks, field trips, dance classes and themed activities/days. Beyond Dance Company is more than a dance school, we are a family that uplifts one another, supports our parents and students in any way we can. I am a firm believer in grace and mercy and that is imbedded in the way that I run my business and love on my students.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
There are a few lessons that come to mind when I think about my business. However, I’m going to choose an area that I’ve had difficulty in not only in business but in my home life as well. One lesson or idea that was imbedded in me was the superwoman, super mom idea. I am used to being an overachiever, someone capable of handling hard things and I don’t like asking for help. I feel as if I should be able to handle everything on my own. I not only ran with this mentality at home but in my business as well, this is something that I’ve had to unlearn. I’ve missed out on business opportunities, performances and even auditions due to my super woman skills or lack thereof. I’ve realized that my business has been its most successful when I’ve allowed my family, friends, parents and employees to assist me and take things off my plate. I’ve learned to delegate and say no so that I can be more intentional when I say yes. I’ve learned that asking for help doesn’t ‘make you weak but it makes you smarter. I’ve unlearned the workaholic, super woman, super mom mentality and I’ve taken on the true role of a team member.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being a creative or artist is simple, creating. There is absolutely nothing more special than dancing and choreographing life through movement. It’s not only a creative outlet but it’s a form of therapy, I often have days where I express my feelings creatively through movement. I love challenging my students and pushing them to explore their emotions and feelings through movement as well. I push them to make the audience understand their story or deliver the feelings or message of the song of choice. I love to captivate an audience, tell a story and give them a joyful experience by attending a Beyond Dance Company production. My favorite part of creating is watching my ideas come to life on stage.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beyonddance.co
- Instagram: _beyonddance
- Facebook: Beyond Dance Company
Image Credits
Tiffany Carr