Tracy Spencer Hannon is the owner of The Dance Academy of Bartlett, in Bartlett, Tennessee (a suburb of Memphis). Tracy likes to say they have the happy medium dance studio: the perfect compromise between education and enjoyment. They have some high level competitive dancers that would live at the studio if the studio let them! These dancers are dedicated, serious and motivated. However, the studio also has a ton of recreational dancers. The studio doesn’t try to make them into committed high-hour dancers too early. She thinks it is important for the child to fall in love with dance and slowly, gradually move into those commitments. The studio doesn’t focus entirely on competition with the advanced dancers. They teach a lot of French ballet terminology, a little dance history, expose the students to improv, and encourage them to try their hand at choreography. The teachers try to prepare the students to dance in college and NOT get a professional job at the age of 18. Upon graduating from this studio, the students are well rounded and smart dancers.
Tracy motivates her dancers by telling them that every audience deserves their best performance. It is not about judges at a competition. It is always about the audience. She encourages them to feel their story. Emote! Tracy explains that dance is a physical expression of human emotions not just a series of exercises. She tells them to feel it and make the audience feel it. The exchange of energy from audience to performer is amazing when you dig deep and start that process. She encourages them to trust their technique and think about their story.
For several years, their studio has won at least one backstage award at each competition. These 
awards are about behavior – being on time for their dances, cheering on not only others from their team but also other studios. This is what makes her most proud. They preach to the kids about how important these attitudes are. When their students embody those concepts, Tracy knows she is doing something right. A small percentage of the dancers will go on to pursue dance, but learning self-discipline and integrity will last a lifetime for them all.
Tracy feels that the biggest mistake she sees dancers commit is when they put themselves down when they make a mistake or don’t feel like they did well. Obviously, her dancers are not allowed to do that. Also, they aren’t ever allowed to say “I can’t.” First, no one is perfect in dance and at some point everyone makes mistakes. This is not brain surgery. “No one will die from a dance mistake. You have to be able to accept that. Next, telling yourself you are not good only makes that come true. Either you believe you can or you believe you can’t. Either way, you are right. Make the best choice.” The other mistake she sees is when a dancer waits to enjoy their day until the awards ceremony. She believes you shouldn’t put that much energy into what others think, even if they are judges. Dancers should respect them and want to hear their suggestions and opinions, but dancers need to enjoy the entire day – getting ready with their team, warming up and the excitement before they go onstage, sharing themselves with the audience when they perform, watching others. “Then if you get an award, it’s icing! Not the whole cake!”
When Tracy was asked what, in her opinion, is the must have dancewear item every dancer needs, she responded, “Honestly, a healthy body and mind is our most important tool. Beyond that I prefer 
leotards and tights – nice and classic.”
Before every competition, Tracy prays for no injuries, no illnesses and no drama! That would be her goal. Sometimes she gets that and sometimes she doesn’t. As far as yearly goals go, she says it would be the same as her lifetime goal – to share and spread her love of dance, the respect of technique and all the personal lessons that go along with that.
Tracy always knew she wanted to teach and own her own studio. She grew up at her aunt’s dance studio (Thank you, Dotti Patterson) and thought eventually she’d take over. Before Tracy that happened, a studio-owner friend offered to sell her studio to Tracy. So, when opportunity knocked, she answered. Her aunt still owns her studio so Tracy guesses things happened just the way they were supposed to happen.
The Dance Academy of Bartlett is finishing it’s 17th year under the direction of Tracy Spencer Hannon. They teach ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, hip hop, and lyrical/contemporary. Their students have won scholarships and admission to a variety of conventions, master classes, and college programs around the country. They have performed with national youth companies, on Carnival Cruise Ships, college dance teams, and at the Liberty Bowl halftime show. Several are currently now teachers and own studios themselves.
Tracy has a BFA in theatre/dance, is a member and former Vice President of the Southern Association of Dance Masters, and is the Memphis area children’s coordinator for the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker.
If you have experience with Dance Academy of Barlett or Tracy Hannon please leave a comment below about your experience!
