An Inspired Chat with Symphoni Wiggins of Augusta, GA

Symphoni Wiggins shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Symphoni, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What battle are you avoiding?
My youngest two children are autistic. I am avoiding the battle of the 2 youngest getting older and getting them ready for the world with their disability.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Symphoni Wiggins, a leader, creative entrepreneur, and advocate for student success. I currently serve as the Registrar at Paine College, where I’m deeply committed to shaping the future of higher education through innovation, strategic growth, and a student-centered approach. Beyond academia, I’m the founder of several ventures that celebrate creativity and community: A Creative Symphoni Dance Studio, which nurtures young dancers through technical training and competitive opportunities and Straight Trippin Travel Agency, where I design unforgettable travel experiences.

What makes my work unique is that everything I do is rooted in connection; whether it’s guiding students toward their dreams, mentoring young artists, or creating experiences that bring people together. My story is about embracing every role; educator, entrepreneur, creative, and community builder; with the same level of passion and excellence. Right now, I am expanding the minds of young dancers at my dance studio, leading exciting initiatives at Paine College to expand enrollment and build innovative student success models, preparing to launch a Dough Boy Pizza Co food trailer with my husband, and continuing to grow Arts in the Heart of Augusta, one of Georgia’s largest multicultural festivals, as the Festival Manager this year, under the direction of the wonderful Executive Director, Denise Tucker and her staff. Every project I take on is driven by a love of people, passion, determination, organization, and a desire to make an impact.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks bonds between people is often a mix of misunderstanding, lack of communication, and assumptions. Life moves fast, and it is easy for us to get caught up in our own struggles, forgetting to extend grace or listen with empathy. Sometimes pride, past hurt, or unmet expectations create distance even between people who care deeply for each other.

What restores those bonds is intentionality, choosing to listen, forgive, and meet people where they are. I believe true connection is built when we take time to see each other fully, acknowledge our mistakes, and create space for healing conversations. For me, faith, community, and shared experiences, whether through education, dance, travel, or simply breaking bread together, are powerful tools for restoration. When we lead with empathy and love, broken bonds can become stronger than they were before.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up, and it was with my dance studio. Dance has always been my passion, and I built the studio to create a safe, creative space for young dancers to grow. But there was a period when I felt like the spark was gone. Parents were constantly pulling at my drive with unrealistic expectations, always complaining about the money they had to spend while still wanting so much in return. On top of that, many of my students seemed more interested in socializing than dancing. It felt like I was pouring so much of myself into something that was not being appreciated or nurtured in return.

I remember sitting alone in the studio one night, questioning if it was even worth continuing. But I also thought about the students who truly were passionate, the little ones who lit up when they finally nailed a step, and the community we had built. I realized that my role was not just to teach dance steps, it was to inspire, to mentor, and to create opportunities that could change lives. That moment pushed me to reset my vision and set boundaries, and I came back stronger with a renewed sense of purpose. Giving up would have been easier, but staying has been so much more rewarding.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is absolutely the real me. I show up as the same person no matter where I am, whether it is in a meeting, at an event, or at home. I am loving, professional, passionate, and hard working everywhere I go. I do not believe in putting on a mask or creating a different persona for the world to see. What people experience when they meet me is a genuine reflection of who I truly am, because authenticity is important to me. I want others to feel they can trust me and know that I mean what I say and do. Being consistent in character is part of how I build relationships and lead in every area of my life.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I lived with purpose, love, passion, and a great sense of humor. I want them to remember the way I poured into children and youth, helping them believe in themselves and inspiring them to see beyond their circumstances. I hope they say I used every gift I had to create opportunities, break barriers, and make others feel seen and valued. I want to be remembered as a woman who worked hard, stayed true to herself, and made a lasting difference in her community. More than anything, I hope my story is one of faith, resilience, laughter, and service, leaving behind a legacy that motivates the next generation to chase their dreams and give back.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.acreativesymphonidance.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/acreativesymphoni
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/acreativesymphonistudio
• Other: https://tiktok.com/acreativesymphoni

Image Credits
Jalisa Brown and Empire Dance Competition