The Expressions Dance Studio Interview With Takeya Griffin

Today’s interview is with Takeya Griffin, the director of Expressions Dance Studio in Brockton, Massachusetts. Takeya believes their studio is different from others because they are a small studio and that enables them to give special one-on-one attention to their students both inside and outside of class particularly to those who are having difficulty or falling behind. They have a small student to teacher ratio so it’s like getting one-on-one attention whenever you need it and makes for a very supportive environment. Also, their teaching staff has different teaching methods so if one doesn’t work for a student another teacher may be able to articulate the movement better.

In order to help keep her dancers motivated, she likes to highlight what makes them special as a dancer, why they like to dance and how it makes them feel inside. She wants them to know they aren’t just another body but are unique and they give something individual and special that no one else can give to the craft. She tries to encourage them to not compare themselves to other people. She reinforces that no two bodies are alike, and if everyone were the same dancer would be very boring.

Takeya says her proudest moment coaching is when a student finally masters a step that they have been working on tirelessly to achieve.

She feels that the biggest mistakes she sees dancers make when competing is throwing so much power into their movements that they lose their technique. Her remedy for that problem is to focusing on dancing at that same intensity in class (maintaining control) as you do on stage so that it comes second nature.

Takeya’s idea of the “must have” dancewear items every dancer needs would be dance shorts. She said you need to be able to see their legs.

Her goals for this year include continuing to grow the studio, work on technique and bring in guest teachers.

Takeya originally started her studio because she got laid off from her corporate job and couldn’t dream of working in another corporate job. The teaching jobs she had had didn’t fit her values or goals for a studio. So she took the plunge. It’s never where she expected to be. At times it’s scary but it’s lots of fun and she wouldn’t change it for the world.

Why does she do it? It’s all about the kids. She loves the kids, watching them start out as a little student and mature into a talented performer makes it all worthwhile. They are in the studio working hard sometimes just an hour a week. Some students are there many hours and they put so much

effort and hard work into it. Seeing the growth from September thru June is amazing to watch. There are lots of laughs and pains and lots of water breaks but we get through. This year on June 28th they will make their family and themselves very proud of all the hard work they’ve put into this year. It’s a great team effort from the staff and a group of great parent. She believes she is very lucky to have a very helpful group of people helping her out.