Hindsight is 20/20.
Since our Charleston Dance Center and Just Dance! alumni have “been there and done that,” we asked them to look back and share their advice for younger dancers.
“I wish I would have realized I was probably my biggest critic. Have confidence in what you do and don’t always compare yourself to others.” – Paige Mixon
“You can have it all – good grades, social life, and strong dancing – as long as you are willing to work hard for it. – Laila Teseniar
“Dance is supposed to be fun, and when you have fun and forget about everyone else, that’s when the people watching you have the most fun too!” – Derwin Simpson
“Advice I would give to younger dancers is to keep pushing yourself. Challenge yourself and take risks. Looking back at it, honestly everything happens for a reason. But I wish I took more advantage of the opportunities that I saw and/or heard of.” – Kedrick Pasley
That includes optional conventions, local auditions and even opportunities in college.
“Something I wish I would’ve known – it all goes by soooo fast. I know it sounds cliché but it’s the truth.” – Laila
So, where are these alumni now?
Paige graduated from the University of South Carolina and is now pursuing a Master’s Degree in Psychology from The Citadel.
Laila is attending Columbia College and teaching dance classes at a nearby studio.
Derwin is loving life at Clemson University.
Kedrick is dancing professionally at Walt Disney World, after graduating from S.C. State University.
We think a big part of their success can be attributed to their dance training. Read Life Lessons We Learned From Dance.