Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mary Beth Stinson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mary Beth, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you 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?

I am so lucky to be able to use my love and passion for dance as a career. I started dancing when I was six years old and have continued to dance through to the present. When I was growing up dance I both loved the different facets of dance and the many role you can play. You can be the dancer, the choreographer, the director, the production coordinator, the stage manager, the costume designer, the educator, and the performer. I found a love for dance early on in my life and knew there was nothing else I could do. I took a major leap in my dance career by pursuing and earning a BFA in dance from the University of Georgia. The time I spent there was invaluable to me in terms of both performance/technique and also pedagogy/theory. I went on to earn a K-12 teaching certification in dance through UGA as well. I went on to become the dance director at Archer High School where I grew a love for dance education. This was a major jump in my dance career as well. I care so much for my students and it is a large part of my views as an artist and educator. Everyone has the right to have an opportunity to dance, if they so desire. I enjoy that public school gives students of any background to take dance regardless of their ability to pay, their experience, and who they are. I also have the great honor of being the artistic director of The Tap Rebels, Atlanta’s only professional tap company under the direction of founder, Vanessa Zabari. This was another component I found later on in my career- that I missed also being the dancer and the performer! I am so lucky to be an advocate for tap as an art form in Atlanta. Through this amazing company we have been able to share our passion for tap around Atlanta and also around the world. We recently returned back from Dubai representing the United States at the World Expo. I am also lucky to be the Artistic Director of VIA UNI, under the direction of Xavier Lewis. VIA UNI is short for “VIA the UNIVERSE” and is a multi-genre, multi-faceted arts company focused on innovation, collaboration, and community all while pursuing the progression of dance, music, and other art mediums. Further, VIA UNI focuses HEAVILY on what the future of dance and live music looks like.
Lastly, I also enjoy working in the community by teaching at dance studios locally. I love the studios that I work at I am so happy to contribute whatever I can, whether that is knowledge or choreography.
My newest adventure is beginning a master’s program in Dance Education at UNCG where I started this summer.
I have always felt a very strong desire to dance and have been so lucky to been able to contribute what I can to the dance communities here in Atlanta and everywhere else. The balance of teaching and performing is something that I continue to work on, but I am thrilled with where my career has taken me so far.

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?

I got into the industry through the educational route and networking. I was able to network greatly through my undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia and also currently as I am obtaining my master’s degree. I think networking is the most essential tool you have as a dancer. I met people through teaching. When I was in college, I drove and taught at so many studios in so many different areas around Georgia. I also attend as many dance and arts events as I can in the city of Atlanta to further understand what the is currently happening. All the important people that I work with now were made through a networking opportunity and I am so grateful for that. Some of the services I provide are the work I do everyday in public education, but more so to the public is the classes I teach and the choreography I set. I do master classes and set choreography all around Georgia. The companies I am in are always performing in the area as well.
I am most proud of the way that I have found balance in my life. I really embody the multi facets of dance, whether it is administration, directing, choreographing, performing, or education. I love that I can immerse my self in all of these different components of dance.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was that you don’t know everything. As dancers and artists, specially, we know that we are creative and good at what we do. Sometimes we are resistant to taking classes or doing a new thing because we have a set routine. I have found that being a learner and continue in my own education has helped me immensely as a teacher and dancer. I love to attend other companies shows and be at as many events as my schedule allows. I have enjoyed being in school and continuing to advance myself. I think I am guilty of thinking “oh I don’t need to do that, I have experience already” or “I already know what I”m doing, I don’t need any more resources”. You are always learning! Stay in the scene and stay in the circle of things going on. Meet as many people as you can and continue to learn so you know how you can best contribute your own skill set.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is feeling that you are a part of history. You are a part of the creation of the spaces around you. As you perform in companies, perhaps make your own company, or participate in the arts you are changing the history of the people and places in your area. As an artist, the work you are making is affecting the future. That is a powerful idea to remember. Specifically, as an educator, you have the power to change the minds of the young people you see everyday. You can create amazing young artists who go on to find a love for dance as well. Further, you can create future arts advocates in society.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://marybethstinson.wixsite.com/marybeth.stinson
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marybethstinson_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mbstinson/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-beth-stinson-6183819a/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn6YXfFWR2VCoJreOksjE_g

Image Credits
Richard Calmes, Brenau University, Taylor Botta