We were lucky to catch up with Ivy Love recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ivy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I had the desire to pursue the arts professionally from a very young age. For as long as I can remember, I have been reenacting scenes from movies and choreographing dances in the kitchen. I started attending a private school in the third grade. It was there that I got introduced to ballet and musical theater. Show after show, I got hooked on the feeling of performing. People in the arts world were friendly, funny, and down to earth, and I felt at home.

Although the arts were always a major part of my life, I was hesitant about pursuing a career in the arts given the volatile nature of the industry. Watching my mother struggle to pay for private school and a prestigious university like Emory put a lot of pressure on me to make the most of my time. My mom has always been very supportive of my dreams which fueled my confidence. However, she would not have done her due diligence as a Caribbean mother if she did not encourage me to have a plan B or something to fall back on.

At one point, I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. Turns out, I just wanted to play one on TV and yell, “your honor, I object!” Then, I thought I wanted to be a psychologist. This shiny career choice stayed with me through high school and made it onto my college application. I still have a strong interest in human behavior, but I determined I was not cut out for the technical and analytical nature of the science world. I performed best while doing things I was passionate about. My Sophomore year, I made the decision to become a Dance & Movement Studies Major. This was a defining moment for me, not just in the words on my diploma, but the shift in my mentality that said, “I am going to jump in with both feet and commit to building my future in the arts world.” It has been full steam ahead ever since.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Well, here’s a little bit about me. My name is Ivy Love. I am 27 years old. I was born and raised in Sunny South Florida and am now living in Atlanta, Georgia. My passion for ballet is due largely to the wonderful instructor I had the pleasure of studying under for most of my schooling. Mrs. Gooden taught me a great deal about the art form as well as what it means to be a great teacher. Her impact on all of us was immeasurable.

After graduating with my Dance & Movement Studies degree in 2017, I immediately began teaching professionally at several studios in Atlanta. I always loved working with kids, so teaching pre-ballet was the best of both worlds. I began finding my rhythm and curating my own style of teaching. Then, the world turned upside down when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. While stuck at home, I taught classes virtually and made video content for my students. I realized they were still participating and enjoying class through the screen. As I heard about more parents struggling to keep their kids entertained at home, I decided I could use my talents to fill a need during a difficult time. Within three months, iLoveDance was born.

At iLoveDance, we offer two classes. Baby Ballet for ages 2 ½ to 3 and Kiddie Ballet for ages 4 to 5. Each class happens twice a week; one on a weekday and one on Saturday. Classes are packed with fun from start to finish. Dancers learn and practice ballet terms, play movement games, and learn choreography. Our Princess Party classes are a fan favorite. Every last Saturday of the month, our ballerinas get to dress up and we dance to the theme of a special Disney princess.

Now that society has reached a level of normalcy, iLoveDance remains a great option for families who may be homeschooling or have no dance studios in their area. Parents feel satisfied knowing their child is learning about dance and is occupied for 30-45 minutes. The online option removes the stress of driving little ones to and from class and alleviates many costly expenses. Dancers can also join us from anywhere in the world! Teaching class live allows me to maintain a personal connection with my students and their families. One of my Kiddie Ballerinas inspired her little sister to take ballet, and last year she joined our Baby Ballet class.

I always envisioned owning a dance studio, but never imagined it would be virtual or happen so soon. I am extremely grateful that my sister gave me the push that I needed to start iLoveDance. The characters and logo were created by Rosie Ditre, an extremely talented graphic designer and artist. Being my first official business, I was unsure of how long it would take to become successful. Fortunately, iLoveDance has been profitable since our first year, and we have exciting plans for the future.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Part of the mission for iLoveDance is to widen access to the ballet world. Ballet has historically been a very exclusive, elite art form. If I had not transferred from public school to a wealthy private school, I may have never discovered ballet.

What warms my heart more than anything is when I hear my students say, “Mommy! My ballet teacher looks like me!” A large part of my mission for iLoveDance is to be a source of representation for young Black and Brown ballerinas. Our first recital’s theme was “The Magic Lives in Me” featuring popular songs from prominent Black women like Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin. The entire experience was very fulfilling for me to see my Kiddie Ballerinas all wearing their pretty costumes, dancing to songs we all grew up with, and having fun showcasing all that they learned. Their parents and all the family and friends that tuned in online were overjoyed seeing that special performance.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Go see art! Artists want and need to be seen by people who will appreciate their work and share it with others. Whether it’s a dance showcase, an art exhibit, a film screening, or a play, I encourage people to explore the incredible talent in their area. It may inspire you or change your perspective, and it will likely be an impactful, unique experience. Go with friends. Go with your family. Go out on a date. Go solo. Go experience art and support your local artists!

Contact Info:

• Website: ilovedancestudio.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/ilovedancellc
• Facebook: facebook.com/ilovedancellc
• Other: Store: shop.ilovedancestudio.com

Image Credits
iLoveDance, LLC