We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jamilah “Milah” Lucas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jamilah “Milah” below.

Jamilah “Milah”, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Growing up in a military family, my parents taught me the importance of not giving up or quitting when challenges arise. I remember when I had my first ballet class and complaining to my mom about the classes being hard. Even though I loved ballet, I started to believe that maybe this style of dance isn’t for me. I got discouraged and wanted to quit but just like everything else I would start in my life, my parents didn’t let. me quit just because it’s not what I expected. Anytime I started something new, my mom would always tell me that I need to try it for a year and then we can reevaluate if the activity should continue and what the next step should be. So, I continued to take class and I began to realize that what I thought was a challenge actually became much easier to understand and perform. My muscles started to develop a memory that made learning the steps easier to grasp. Stretching my legs didn’t hurt anymore and soon I was able to do the splits flawlessly. My muscles became developed to the point I was able to hold my arms or lift my legs without muscle aches or spasms. I learned that it takes time to develop a skill and it doesn’t just happen overnight. As I got older and wanted to audition for dance intensives, compete in competitions, or start a dance studio, I understood that there are steps I need to take through each chapter in my life. I was able to take the mindset of not quitting in my professional career when I had challenges or obstacles that became present. Now, that I’m a professional choreographer and dance instructor, I have accomplished various things in my life because I didn’t give up. I’ve had an award winning studio for 13+ years, I’ve represented the USA at many international dance events, and the students I’ve trained have received partial and full scholarships to prestige dance intensives and universities. My biggest challenge was when I had to close my dance studio due to Covid-19 Pandemic and I thought I was never going to work at the level I once was but I couldn’t give up. Because I didn’t give up, I received the opportunities to work at top dance companies in Dallas. I work for Chamberlain Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater, The MoveMeant Project, and being a judge for Starpower National Talent Competition. Was it hard? Definitely. Did I want to quit? Yes. But I knew if I did, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today and I only have my parents and God to thank for that.

Jamilah “Milah”, 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?

Dance has been a large part of my life for over 20 years. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, I was a dance studio owner and Artistic Director of Milah’s School of Dance for 13 years. My studio was nationally ranked with students winning top awards at prestigious dance competitions; receiving partial and full dance scholarships to top industries, schools, companies, and universities; to being the only USA representative at international dance competition Dance Europa: Italia Grand Prix placing Bronze (3rd place in Classical Ballet) and Silver (2nd place in Contemporary). Even though my studio shut down May of 2020, I currently work privately with industry and serious dancers who want a career in dance. I choreograph dances and train dancers in Classical Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Conditioning, HipHop, Jazz, and Acro. 70% of the students I work with are signed to professional agencies for acting, modeling, or dance. I teach at The MoveMeant Project as a Classical Ballet Coach for the Pre-Professional Dancers, Chamberlain School of Ballet as an administrator, dance Instructor for the school and “Releve Outreach Program”. Texas Ballet Theater as a Ballet Instructor for the school and their “City Dance Outreach Program”, and Starpower National Talent Competition as a judge.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to inspire kids to explore their creative side as a dancer or artist. As a goal, I want children to be able to walk away from dance with skills they can instill in various parts of their everyday life. Dance is about discipline and commitment to the art. Dance teaches students to dress appropriately, be prompt, and use linear use of movement and counts they can put towards to math classes and music theory. So, even if my students don’t become professional dancers they can still put forth what they learn in class towards other subjects throughout their life.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When I was younger, I wish I knew more about how to apply for scholarships to dance intensives or colleges for dance. My parents always paid out of pocket and even though they were fortunate enough to pay for my intensives, I wish I was able to take advantage of scholarships I didn’t find out about until I went off to college. As a studio owner and dance instructor, I was able to prepare my students with resources on how to apply for scholarships and what they needed to know to be able to get those scholarships because of what I was told in college. My students were able to receive partial and full scholarships because of the resources I had whether it was to attend a particular convention, audition or interview at various dance locations, or write an essay to a dance organization about why they love dance.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/milahsdancelife

Image Credits
Chamberlain Ballet – Releve Outreach Program Texas Ballet Theater – City Dance Outreach Program The MoveMeant Project – Ballet Class Family Dream Center – Private Lesson in studio Photos where I wasn’t present in the photo, I took the photo where I was teaching the class or private lesson through the dance organization.