We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stacy Santos. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stacy below.
Alright, Stacy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Risk…that thing which we know may not yield any good results but we feel compelled to do that thing anyway! For me, one of the biggest risks I have taken is moving to New York City at the age of 54 to pursue my lifelong dream of dancing! As a single mother of two adult children ages 27 and 30, a nurse of thirty-one years, and a US Army Reserve Nurse Corps Veteran, I decided to finally pursue what would be the hardest challenge of my life: leaving the comforts of a work from home nursing role and a sky high, top-floor penthouse apartment in Jacksonville, Florida to move to a dorm style room in New York City to pursue my dreams. I decided to take this risk amidst changing life circumstances of an empty nest, an ended long term relationship of great significance to me, and a discharge from the military reserves. While I had a perfectly fine and long standing career as a Registered Nurse; combined with extensive education as a Board Certified Nurse Executive with an MBA and an MS in Health Care Administration, I knew it was now or never for me to pursue this dream and take the big risk and move to the Big Apple! I decided to audition and apply for several Independent Dance Study programs throughout the City and was accepted to the Steps on Broadway International Independent Study Program (IISP), an opportunity for which I am forever grateful as it marked the start of my semi-professional dance studies here in New York City. I was instantly met with support, resources, friendship and advisement at every turn from the Steps on Broadway community! Later, I also studied at The Martha Graham School Independent Study Program which was a tremendous honor and amazing experience culminating in a end of semester student showcase performance at the historic school. Both of these programs presented major challenges for me; which included that of a physical body which had not danced for years. Additionally, I started working as a nurse locally in Manhattan night shift (Yikes!); which presented challenges of it’s own when combined with the daily rigor of my dance studies. I had no guarantees, no promises and yet gave up what was an amazingly comfortable lifestyle for my age and stage in life in The Sunshine State. How it turned out? I am still here! I completed the educational dance programs I started, and am currently studying in a holistic mentorship program focused on heels and classical technique with dynamic NYC based dancer, choreographer, and educator Maria Edmond, for whom I am deeply grateful to collaborate with on my journey of healing, learning and self discovery through my dance studies. I also continue my freelance dance studies at various schools in NYC; I am a brand ambassador for Burju Shoes and for Just Strong fitness and apparel. And to top it all off, I was able to finally pursue a dream I left behind from the age of 19… attending the City College of New York – Hunter College- Dance Program as a declared Dance Major! I will begin that program in the Fall of 25 and I am so excited! In the year 1989 I was offered admission to the program and declined. I always wondered what would have happened had I accepted that offer! Well, my second chance has arrived and I am taking it! Bonus: I performed last year in the Open World Dance Foundation’s production of Cinderella and met my long time idol, Misty Copeland! I would say this risk has truly turned out in my favor. I have gained so much along the way in friendships, connections, a deep sense of community here in NY and open arms everywhere I have danced. I have grown so much on this journey and I hope that I have helped others grow too! I am so grateful that I took this risk!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a dancer, artist, model and registered nurse living in New York City! I am also a single mom of 2 successful adult children and a US Army Reserve Nurse Corps Veteran . in 2023, having completed my time in the military and my children being grown and off living their lives successfully; I made the decision to move to New York City and pursue my dream of studying dance in the dance capital of the world! AT age 54 in 2023, marked 34 years since I had pursued my dreams of becoming a professional dancer at the age of 19. It was at that time in 1989 that I attended Towson State University as a Dance Performance and Education Major, of which I absolutely loved being a Towson Tiger! However, I also had an opportunity to attend The City College of NY as a Dance Major and I declined. I have looked back and always wondered if I made the right decision. As life moved on, I left dance completely, became a nurse, a single mother and a soldier. And finally, my time had come and I did it! Upon acceptance to the International Independent Study Program at Steps on Broadway and also later the Independent Program at The Martha Graham School in 2023 and 2024, I am still here in NYC and dancing! The amazing gift is that I have been accepted to the City University of New York , Hunter College ( you guessed it, formerly City College of New York) Dance Program! I am so deeply grateful that my journey has taken me full circle back to New York and back to Hunter College this Fall at age 55! My journey has been relentless, and I am so grateful for all those who have supported me in chasing this dream! The NYC dance community has been so welcoming and gracious as I have worked diligently to find my place and space here in the city. Currently I am awaiting my Fall Semester program start and work with my mentor, Maria Edmond to curate class schedules and experiences tailored to my evolving goals in dance to complement my longer term goals as an artist. My focus as a dancer is constantly working on improving, perfecting and seeking truth through my artistry. I am currently embarking on certification as a Professional Life Coach from CUNY- City College of New York and chartering an adult artists collective to assist mature artists transitioning to diverse careers in the arts later in life – as they dream, heal, rebuild and create! My hope is that I can truly inspire and lead others in their quest to chase old and new dreams no matter what their age or stage in life. Believe!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I have found that the most rewarding aspect of being a creative artist in the dance industry is the inspiration that I am able to give others within my age group of 50 and beyond to pursue their dreams no matter what the age, stage or barriers they may feel they face. I have had the opportunity to learn and grow with the absolute BEST in this industry as I embarked on pursuit of my dreams to dance at age 54. The City and the dance community has welcomed me with open arms from the minute I stepped foot in the City to dance. I am so deeply grateful for the opportunities, challenges, relationships and experiences that I have been granted; and if I can inspire others to take a chance on themselves and chase their dreams later in life, I will have accomplished the greatest artistic accomplishment and that is truly the most rewarding aspect of my journey!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I have found that non-creatives do struggle at times to understand my choices and my creative journey at this point in my life. I left a very peaceful and comfortable top floor penthouse and work from home nursing role in sunny Jacksonville, Florida to pursue my dream to dance in New York City at age 54. This is nothing short of a miracle that I am here and dancing! Many times I get the question: “what are you doing this for? or what is your goal?”. I often explain that my goal is not necessarily to be a Broadway star (although that would be amazing! lol) but rather, it is to study the art of dance with intention, focus and authenticity. My goals are dynamic and evolving from one dance experience to the next. I have wanted to dance in New York City my whole life, amongst the absolute BEST and learn my craft to the fullest with an authentic heart, mind and soul. To become the best artist I can become for ME! To be able to dance along side dancers of all levels and backgrounds in the dance capital of the world and quite simply to do my best; to be my best! This journey has afforded me so many opportunities to inspire others, and that truly is the ultimate goal in all I do… pay it forward. And for this I am deeply honored to be able to place my 55 year old boots on the floors of truly the most famous and historic of NYC dance studios and DANCE!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @hey_stacee
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacy.santos.923
Image Credits
Ashkan Image @ashkanimage
Katie Mollison @katiemollison
Kai Rose @blu.lensphotography