We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dawn Rhys a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dawn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
Yes I have been earning a full time living from my dancing though not always easy over the years due to the rises and falls of the economy. Covid was extremely difficult and clawing my way back has been challenging. My work is deeply affected by the sky rocketing cost of living.
I built my business incrementally. I not only perform but I also teach dance and Pilates classes, and perform weekly in a Lebanese restaurant . In the beginning, I waitressed to supplement my income. And after Covid, I went back to the restaurant hostessing while building my teaching business again. Having a back up plan has always been crucial.
I knowing what I know now and if could do it over again, I would have added Polynesian and fire shows sooner. And I would have separated my businesses right away. I didn’t understand the public’s perception right away. In ballroom, teachers are expected to be proficient in at least ten dances but in belly dance and hula, you are not taken seriously if you are. So now that I have separated my belly dance and hula, I book so many more shows.
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 am a professional dancer, as a teenager I auditioned for and was selected my freshmen year of high school to our schools dance team and band front. That’s when I decided I needed classical training, got a part time job and started taking jazz and ballet classes.
In college I minored in dance thinking I would study to become a dance therapist since I also love psychology. But in college I took a belly dance class and remembered seeing them at Busch Gardens and loving their show. So I moved to NYC. At the Broadway Dance Center, I was recruited to perform in a professional belly dance company. Once again I sought out classical training and started attending Serena’s Belly Dance school in addition to performing with Amira.
I returned to Florida, this time moving to Miami belly dancing in a South Beach restaurant five nights a week. Eventually moving to West Palm Beach. I provide dance entertainment shows and DJ services for corporate and private events, weddings and festivals. I teach belly dance, Polynesian hula, Latin jazz, and Pilates mat classes. I offer performance opportunities for all of my students, from weddings to nursing homes so that even my older students can perform if they want to.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I think there are times in history when artists and scientists are valued, this is not one of them. This society values technology and money
How can society support artists? Hire local entertainers for your events and parties. Buy paintings from your local artists. Go to restaurants that hire local entertainers and artists. Send your children to dance, art and music classes. All of these things would help immensely
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Martha Graham said it best. “You don’t pick dance as a career. Dance picks you.” It is a drive and a destiny that will not be ignored
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.imperialbelkydance.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imperialbellydance/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@imperialjade?si=OFlfU5AE-5JTSYZu
Image Credits
R_and_J Photography