Macon Magazine

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 | maconmagazine.com 43 "If you see dance as one thing, and it's not somewhere you believe you belong, you won't go in. If I can share with you, where you are, what I think dance is and what it means, you might be open to it." where the cast and crew spend long 14–16-hour days together, has inspired this emphasis. While skill alone may get you hired, she explained, staying hired largely depends on your character and personality. "What keeps you is character. Who do you want to be around? That's who works." "Better together" – Fueled by collaboration and service All of the dance studios saw one another as colleagues, not competitors. In fact, every leader interviewed in this piece cited at least one of the others as a key collaborator or a mentor. For Sheridan, the connection with Nutcracker of Middle Georgia has meant she has long worked with students from many studios, and she wants to bring that energy into The Weaver Center. "I feel like this is a neutral territory for a lot of these kids… there's no threat to them, which is what I want it to be." is a home for students of any age and any ability. "We 'Lead with Love.' Dance is one aspect of healthy, holistic, arts-integrated education." She is a leader in this effort herself, pursuing Ph.D. research focused on body image and improved mental health in dance education. "I would love to see a collaborative effort made in our community that can be replicated across the globe that supports mental health, positive body image, and a holistic pedagogy," Lowden said. The idea of being a holistic facility means Hayiya teaches other courses like piano, acting, and tumbling alongside dance and other academic enrichment like a leadership institute. Kendrick agrees, noting work-life balance is very important for her dancers. "We want to be a studio where students have time for homework, family, and fun time." She noted that she's very intentional about building the whole artist because "I don't just want a good dancer, but a good dancer with a good heart." Holton thinks this is key for her students, too, saying that for the Madison Studio, a good dancer "is a good person first— for good people and strong team members make great dancers!" This has inspired her studio's motto: "For discipline and grace to last a lifetime." Holton thinks this helps whether students plan to pursue the performing arts formally, become future arts patrons or supporters, or use the lessons of dance in another career. Kendrick believes her time working on film and television sets, Miller Fine Arts & International Baccalaureate Magnet High School Majorette Dance Team.

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