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

Hi Stephanie, thanks for joining us today. Have you been 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? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I have been able to earn a full-time living through dancing and choreographing and I absolutely love it! What really made me want to choreograph for a living was seeing my competition team coach do it when I was about 16 years old. She inspired me to want that life and I strived for it.

It wasn’t always like that. When I was younger, I used to want to be a vet. As I got older and into high school, I was looking into business management. However, after trying college out for a few semesters, I realized it wasn’t the right path for me and I decided to go forward with making dance my career.

I definitely feel like I could’ve sped up the process by taking classes in different cities and states more often. Networking more, traveling more, and learning from my coaches in a different way than I did.

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 first got into dancing when I was about 10 years old. I used to do gymnastics, but it got too expensive for my parents to afford so I decided to try out hip hop instead.

I started in a recreational hip hop class, one day a week, only performing in recital. I did that for 3 years at the studio I went to. Then, that studio closed down and I took a year off from dance. Then I found a video on YouTube of a group called “Lake Mary Allstars” performing and I thought to myself “wait, I live in lake Mary. Where are they located?”

I did some research and found out the information and asked my mom if we could give it a try. I auditioned for their senior hip hop competition team and ended up making it! This was my first time being a part of a competition team and it was not an easy transition, but it was absolutely incredible. I ended up competing until I turned 18 and then I basically begged my coach to let me assist her and she eventually gave in.

I assisted her for about 4.5 years and then decided to continue to grow on my own and create my own legacy. I am now teaching full time at Peaches Dance and Music as the hip hop instructor and choreographer for all hip hop teams, solos, duos, and company hip hop classes. I have been blessed with so much support and encouragement from the studio owner, staff, and parents/families!

Outside of teaching dance to the kids, I teach them life lessons along the way. How to be able to work as a team, how to be kind and supportive, how to handle yourself within a professional setting, the list goes on.

I also help them through issues they may be having within each other or their friendships. Sometimes they’re facing issues within school or their home and I am able to help them through it and remind them that they don’t have to go through things alone.

I feel like these traits help me be different from most dance teachers. I always strive to truly care about the kids and make sure they know that. I want them to know I’m their number 1 fan and I will help them reach their goals! It’s more than just a paycheck for me.

After being there for about five years, I’m most proud of how much the students have grown as dancers and as people. To know that I have been the only hip hop instructor that some of them have had is truly incredible.

As far as my creative work goes, I always strive to remain as true to authentic hip hop as I can while still hitting the score sheet. I educate the students in the hip hop culture as a whole.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is watching a routine that I directed and choreographed and knowing that I did that. Knowing I found inspiration within songs, I had a vision, and I made it come to life.

I always mix my own music, create my own formations and visuals, try to had tricks or “wow” moments, and choreograph everything myself. In addition to that, I am the one teaching everyone and running rehearsals.

So being able to watch the entire production after is definitely rewarding and a proud moment as a director.

As a coach, it makes me proud to see others feel proud of themselves and the work they put in!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @stephaniejadexo

Image Credits

Niko Fagan (Orlando Magic pictures)