FEATURE: WENDY CRAWFORD

BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP Wendy Crawford

By Olivia Alford

What inspired you to get started with dance?

Since watching the Nutcracker with the Atlanta Ballet as a young girl, my love for dance was ignited and has never stopped. This inspired me to dance and train with the Atlanta Ballet from an early age. My preparation continued at a performing arts high school, and upon graduation I auditioned for Florida State University (FSU). Initially, it was not in my plan; however, the diversity spoke to me after attending predominantly white private school. I found myself wanting something different and FSU felt like home.

What inspired you to start a dance studio?

I've danced my whole life, then graduated from FSU, and subsequently toured and performed at various venues. After having our first daughter, we toured a few places with great techniques and specialities. There was a lack of diversity which was important to us, which led me to start my own studio. African American dancers at the Atlanta Ballet, a prestigious ballet company. I was inspired my second to last year when they hired three dancers from the Dance Theatre of Harlem. This was my first time seeing anyone that looked like me. I naturally gravitated to them. They became mentors, and I am still in contact with today.

Do you have to have experience to join in on the fun?

Many of the kids at our studio come from all over. Some love to dance although not all want to become dance majors or be part of a competitive team. Our classes start from ages one to 19 for high school. We offer college, adult, and beginner mommy and me classes. We provide a diverse, engaging, safe, fun, nonjudgmental atmosphere for them to do so.

How would you describe the most fulfilling part of your work?

I love being on the Golden Girls team and coaching it; however, I miss being a part of the girls' lives. I went from having 18-20 girls, to having so many that I could barely keep up. I don't want to be a director closed off in an office that's not reachable or touchable. I know so much about these kids that sometimes I feel like a parent and that’s a very interesting place to be. I'm grateful for being a bridge that connects them to opportunities, shares helpful information, and stands in the gap for them. It's been an incredible experience. I especially love it when our dancers go into the world as representatives of what we're doing. I am proud to see them doing great things.

How has dance benefitted you?

I've done different things with dance in different forms. I judge internationally, participate in master classes around the US, and more. I enjoyed sharing those experiences with the girls. Many of them may not leave Tallahassee, so I try to bring some of the individuals to visit them at the studio or show them pictures as I share the experiences. It's been a really cool connecting point.

How do you capture the experiences?

I capture the memories created in a form that can last a lifetime. I only