We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mekaylah Gilbert a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Mekaylah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
The first time I earned professional income from my creative work was at just 18 years old, performing at a wedding in Nashville. The couple envisioned a ballerina embodying the softness and beauty of their love, and I was honored to bring that vision to life. It was my first wedding performance, and nerves ran high—I wanted everything to be perfect. After an inspiring pep talk from my mom, who was also my manager at the time, I took the stage. The moment was unforgettable: the audience gave me a standing ovation, and the emotional couple praised my performance, even gifting me additional money as a token of their gratitude.
As I was leaving, a woman approached me and asked if I taught dance, expressing interest in enrolling her granddaughter in classes. At that time, I was busy adjusting to college life and hadn’t considered teaching, let alone owning a dance studio. However, that encounter sparked something within me. I left the event inspired, determined, and brimming with ideas. That moment planted the seed for what would eventually grow into Muse Conservatory of Dance.
Looking back, it was a defining experience—not only did I conquer my fear, but I channeled that moment into building something extraordinary. It’s a reminder that when we push through challenges, we often discover the inspiration and strength to achieve our biggest dreams.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Mekaylah Gilbert, co-owner and creative director of Muse Conservatory of Dance. My role encompasses ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations of our studio, maintaining a high standard for our dance curriculum, steering the creative direction to align with our brand’s vision, and upholding a strong foundation of quality technique. Known affectionately as the “taskmaster” of the company, I strive to balance discipline with joy, creating meaningful and lasting memories for our dancers both on and off the dance floor.
My journey with dance began at the age of three, as a curious praise dancer at church, which soon blossomed into classical training. Over the years, I’ve trained rigorously in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, African, hip-hop, tumbling, contemporary, and aerial silks—both nationally and internationally. By age 14, I was dedicating 15–20 hours a week to training, and during my time at an arts magnet high school, that commitment grew to over 30 hours weekly. While the intensity could be overwhelming at times, the discipline I developed is something I’ll cherish forever. Dance taught me resilience, focus, the importance of staying the course, and how to embrace life’s challenges with grace.
The foundation of my dance background is reflected in the offerings at Muse, where we teach six of the eight genres in which I am trained: ballet, jazz, modern, tap, tumbling, and African. What truly sets Muse apart—and what I am most proud of—is the unparalleled quality of our teachings and productions. We hold our dancers to a high standard, not by pressuring them to be perfect, but by meeting them where they are, playing to their strengths, and helping them grow in areas of weakness. Our goal is to cultivate their love for the art while guiding them to their fullest potential. This approach shines through in their performances, where even our youngest dancers deliver professionally scaled productions that never fail to take my breath away.
When you bring your child to Muse, they’re more than just a student—they’re family. Their success, both on and off the dance floor, is our top priority. At Muse, we nurture not just skilled dancers, but confident, well-rounded individuals who carry the values of discipline, creativity, and joy wherever they go.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being a creative is the incredible privilege of turning dreams and visions into reality. I have the unique opportunity to transform the ideas in my mind into breathtaking performances on real stages, all while cherishing the journey of bringing those visions to life. Witnessing my dreams manifest in tangible ways is deeply fulfilling, and the personal growth I’ve experienced through these creative endeavors has been invaluable.
What makes the journey even more special is sharing it with such talented “co-stars”—the remarkable young dancers I work with. Collaborating with today’s youth is truly inspiring, as I have the privilege of helping guide them toward their own dreams and goals. What’s even more magical is how much I learn from them in return. Their energy, passion, and fresh perspectives constantly remind me why I love what I do and fuel my own creativity.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I believe non-creatives often overlook the human being behind the art they enjoy. It’s easy to get lost in the final product, but what’s often missed is the immense effort, emotion, and dedication poured into creating that experience. While I love that my work has the power to captivate audiences, it can be disheartening to sometimes feel reduced to just a workhorse, especially when so much of my heart and soul goes into ensuring their entertainment.
The behind-the-scenes journey—the struggles, triumphs, and raw emotions that go into crafting art—is often the most beautiful part of the process. Yet, it’s a side audiences rarely, if ever, get to see. While this invisibility can sometimes be a blessing, allowing the art to shine on its own, I think it’s important to recognize and honor the vessel through which that art flows. Creatives bring their humanity to their work, and that connection is what makes art so impactful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.musecdance.com
- Instagram: @musecdance
- Facebook: Muse Conservatory of Dance
Image Credits
Drae Brown
Alisha Frierson