In Pursuit of Excellence

I was recently listening to an interview with serial entrepreneur Emma Grede, co-founder of SKIMS and Good American, who said, “How you do one thing is how you do everything.” That simple line resonated deeply with me. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in work, in life, or in relationships — if you strive for excellence in all that you do, you’ll always be growing, improving, and moving forward.

Although most young dancers dream of turning their passion into a profession, the reality is that not everyone will go on to make a career out of dance. But what I’ve seen time and time again is that the lessons learned through dance stay with you for life, no matter which path you choose to follow.

Dance teaches you so much more than steps. It teaches commitment, resilience, and the importance of showing up — even when things feel hard. It builds confidence, discipline, and self-motivation, both in and out of the studio.

Ultimately, dance shapes who you are and how you move through the world — always in pursuit of excellence.

I was recently chatting with one of my alumni about this very idea — how dance shapes who you become, even long after you leave the studio. We reflected on how many former dancers go on to achieve incredible things in completely different fields, yet still carry that same sense of discipline, work ethic, and drive. It’s something that never really leaves you.

Throughout my life, I’ve worked in other industries, and while I never saw them as my long-term path, I still showed up with the same commitment I learned through dance. I wanted to do each role to the best of my ability, to take pride in the way I worked — no matter how temporary the job was. That mindset, to give your best effort in every situation, is something dance instills deeply.

When we approach every class, every rehearsal, and every opportunity — big or small — with care and intention, we cultivate a habit of excellence that extends far beyond the studio. Whether we’re dancing on stage, teaching in the studio, or working in any other field, the standard we hold ourselves to becomes part of who we are.

When you enrol your child in a dance class, they’re not just learning steps. They’re learning how to listen, to focus, to take pride in what they do, and to want more for themselves. Through dance, they develop an inner drive to keep improving — a lifelong lesson that will carry them through school, work, and every chapter that follows.

To the dancers — I know that sometimes it can feel like we’re always asking for more. To work harder. To pay attention to the details. But what might not seem important now is actually a gift. Every correction, every challenge, every push to be better is shaping you into someone who doesn’t settle for less than their best. You’re being instilled with one of the greatest lessons dance can offer — the pursuit of excellence.