Meet Amanda Singrassia

We were lucky to catch up with Amanda Singrassia recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

My resilience has developed over a lifetime of navigating the world through progressive chronic illness, while determined to achieve the goals I have set forth. I have continued to dance through a slew of challenging symptoms, including joint subluxations, a paralyzed stomach, hearing loss and seizure-like episodes. I have had to learn to be patient with myself, and to not allow critical voices (of others or my own) to deter me. My journey hasn’t been entirely traditional, however, I’ve never stopped working towards my dreams.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Dancing has been a passion of mine since childhood, and I’ve been training all of my life. I am the proud owner of my school- Dreamworks Performing Arts Center, in Kingston MA, and we are in our eleventh year. We are a ballet based studio with offerings in multiple styles, for young children through adults. My dream of opening my own studio began as a little girl, and I started teaching classes at just 15 years old. At 21, I co-founded a small program out of a rental space and that eventually evolved into Dreamworks.

My career as a performer hasn’t been entirely linear as I’ve battled various health struggles, including Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), POTS and Gastroparesis. However, I have used my personal struggles as empowerment and take every opportunity that my body allows me to dance. My experience with EDS has lead me to be a better teacher, in that I am always on the lookout for hyper-mobility in my students, and how to provide proper strengthening and safe training for their bodies. I believe the obstacles I’ve faced have also helped me become a leader with compassion and the desire to give every dancer a chance to shine.

Each season, my school has two major productions- our Nutcracker in December and our Spring Showcase in June. Every year our shows grow bigger, with gorgeous costumes and sets to frame the choreography, and we have received rave reviews. Additionally, we have smaller scale performances throughout the year, including community outreach events and visiting our local nursing facilities. I pride myself on teaching my students life skills in addition to their dancing, and connecting with people of all walks of life outside of studio walls, is something I’m passionate about.

Outside of studio ownership, I am a freelancer, primarily in ballet. Though I “retired” twice already, I returned to the stage in 2022, and I’m loving every chance to perform. Some of my highlights include dancing a lead in “The Red Shoes” with New York Deaf Theatre- 2018, having my piece “Dust and Water” chosen for the International Deaf Dance Festival (San Francisco)- 2021, performing in Worcester’s Pride in 2023, and dancing my dream role of The Sugar Plum Fairy in 2023 and 2024.

I just started my second season dancing with Leigh Purtill Ballet Company, which has been an absolute joy. Due to the uncertain nature of my health and the schedule demands of my studio, I wouldn’t be able to dance with most companies. However, I found LPBC, and it has been a dream! I feel incredibly “at home” with the company.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Focus on building something uniquely your own. It is okay to do things differently than the others within the same industry.

2. Figure out what is most important to you, and the kinds of morals and values you wish to instill in your business, and stick to them.

3. Surround yourself with like-minded, supportive people who wish to see you succeed. (Bonus if they want to be part of the journey!)

Authenticity is the key to happiness! When you’re first starting out in your career, it can be challenging to not compare yourself to more established individuals/businesses. It’s can also be difficult to have and maintain boundaries. Believing in your mission and keeping your sight set on what you’d like to achieve (as well as enjoying the moments along the way!) is really important. You may face a lot of “no’s” for every “yes” and there may be people who doubt you, but keep pushing and do so on your own timeline.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When feeling overwhelmed, I have a few go-to strategies to help ease my mind. First, I have found the importance of making task lists to keep myself organized. Reviewing, updating, and crossing things off of my lists can better allow me to have a more realistic view of what I need to tackle, when it all feels like too much.

Next would be delegating. I have struggled with this for years, but it’s a work in progress and I’ve gotten better with it! If there is something from my list that someone else is able and willing to do, such as my wife and studio manager, Heather, offloading that item can alleviate some of the overwhelm.

Lastly, I assess my self-care. Often times I feel the most overwhelmed when I haven’t taken care of myself as well as I should be. Sometimes a rest day or dancing just for me helps reset my mind and body.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Carl Peer Photography
Heather Singrassia
Julie Dillon
Jim Hanna

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