Program Director, Red River Dance and Performing Co.
Q: Tell us about yourself
A: I am the program director at Red River Dance. I wear many hats as the program director. From scheduling to teaching, choreographing, planning, hiring, and social media, I do it all! I love that my job allows me to enjoy so many different passions of mine. Every day is a little bit different, and I enjoy that so much. I also help our outreach program and created our Beyond Dance program, which provides free classes to dancers with special needs.
Q: What inspired you to get involved in your community at a young age?
A: I have always felt a tug at my heart to be involved and help people. My love of dance and the arts is mixed into this, and I am so grateful to pursue many of my passions. I love getting to see the positive impact dance and the arts have on so many members of our community. I have always looked up to many inspiring women in my life. Seeing them help others sparked that need in me as well.
Q: Who has been the most influential mentor in your life, and why?
A: My floral boss, Kelly, and my former boss at RRD, Haylee. Both women embody what I strive for every day. Kelly always pushed me to follow my heart and encouraged me in the best ways. Being a florist in college was my absolute favorite, and having her by my side to guide me helped me in so many ways. Haylee has always pushed me to see my potential and is always there for me when I need someone to give a little extra advice. She is now a close friend and I can’t imagine not having her in my life.
Q: What does success look like to you right now?
A: Right now, it’s about following my passions and doing things that fill my heart with joy. It’s not about the money or title. At the end of the day, I want to feel like I made an impact and that I have helped others reach their potential. I love trying to improve who I am as a person in our community and how I can show up better for my staff and families. Being able to accomplish these things is the greatest success for me.
Q: What community issue do you feel deserves more attention?
A: With money being so tight for so many members of our community, I believe financial assistance is what deserves more attention. So many families have the burden of just making ends meet every month. Being able to lift the burden for families so that their kids can just focus on being kids and enjoy things like dance that they normally wouldn’t be able to participate in. The more families that we can impact with this, the better our community will be.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
A: My bachelor’s degree is in multimedia journalism with a minor in theater dance, and I have a publishing certificate from MSUM. I had no idea what I wanted to do after college. Several years after graduating, I finally found my career and haven’t looked back since.
Q: What’s a lesson you’ve learned that you wish you had known earlier in your career?
A: Face your problems, issues, and disagreements head-on instead of letting them go. People are going to disagree with you or not like the decisions you make, and that’s okay. Communicate with your people and ask for help when you need it!.
Q: Where do you hope to make the biggest impact over the next five years?
A: Career-wise, I want to help our studio grow so that we can eventually find a bigger space that better serves our families and needs. I hope to get more funds for our scholarship program to offer our communities’ kids opportunities to take dance classes for free or with assistance.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: Everyone is fighting a battle you might not be able to see, be kind no matter what and look to see the best in people instead of the worst.
Q: Why is our local United Way important to you?
A: United Way continues to help bridge the gap of poverty in our community to help build a better society for all. They continue to put our community first striving to create a better place. They are invested in our leadership and education for the next generation.
