We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Corbin Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Corbin with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I’ve never been the type who found things easy or natural. Everything I’ve achieved has come from hard work and determination. Unlike my two sisters, who seemed to effortlessly excel with their tall frames and natural talent, I had to push myself in everything I did. From a young age, dancing became my passion—something I knew I could excel at if I put in the effort. That drive carried over into everything I pursued, as I understood that nothing would come easy for me.
Academically, I struggled, but I still pushed myself to be in honors classes so I could keep up with my dance training at my arts high school. My mom was a big influence; she never let me quit anything and always encouraged me to do my very best, no matter what. That mindset still guides me today. I may not be the best at everything, but I always give it my all.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned to embrace challenges with a simple “yes.” Yes, I can do this—even when it’s scary or uncomfortable—because I’ve learned that those are the moments that lead to the most growth. Now, I strive to work from a place of excellence in everything I do, knowing that how I show up today will set an example for my future children.
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?
I’m a Midwest girl, born and raised in the suburban charm of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. I grew up in a loving two-parent household with my mom, Tracii—who always makes sure you spell her name with two i’s!—and my dad, Mark. I’m the second oldest of five siblings, with two sisters, Parey and Harris, and two brothers, Halen and Patterson. We’re known and loved by many as “The Hunters,” and I love my family unconditionally. My family has grown even more special now that I’m married to the most amazing and handsome man in the world, Michael Johnson. Together, we share our home with the feistiest little 7-year-old Pomeranian named Riley, who keeps us on our toes. Life has changed so much over the past few years, but one thing that’s always been consistent is my passion for dance. Ever since I was 12, I had a simple but powerful goal: “Dance for Beyoncé.” And I was determined to make it happen—no one could tell me otherwise!
Let me take you back to where it all began. I’ve been dancing since I was two years old. My mom, who danced when she was younger, put my sister and me into dance early on, and it became my first love. I trained at Stage Door of Performing Arts in Coon Rapids, MN, until I was 14. Then, I had the incredible opportunity to attend St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists in downtown St. Paul for high school. There, I was exposed to a wide range of dance styles, from Modern and Historical Hip Hop to African dance, and I continued my training with Poetry in Motion Dance Co., under the guidance of Ricky Palomino and Stacy Boedecker, Classical Ballet Academy with Cheryl and Andrew Rist, and TU, a Horton-based institution directed by former Alvin Ailey principals, Toni and Uri Sands. My dance options were endless. However, my 12 year old dream never wavered.
At eighteen, I packed my bags and moved to California, driven by the dream of becoming a professional dancer. Once I settled in Los Angeles, I immersed myself in classes, exploring as many forms, styles, and traditions of dance as I could. In 2017, I received an incredible opportunity when I was accepted into the Debbie Reynolds Scholarship Program. This was the spark that ignited my career as a professional dancer. I’ve been blessed to dance alongside some of the most top tier artist in the world, including Beyoncé (for both Coachella and On the Run II), Ginuwine, Pharrell Williams, N.E.R.D., Lizzo (at the Grammy Awards and BET Awards), and I was the original dancer for Megan Thee Stallion, working with her for four incredible years. My childhood dream came true. Every sacrifice my parents and I made for my dance training was worth it. I will forever be grateful to everyone who supported and guided me along this journey.
Dance will always be my first love, but as I’ve grown older, I’ve discovered new passions that have captured my heart. Over time, I’ve fallen in love with teaching and inspiring the next generation of dancers. In 2019, I taught my very first workshop, dedicated to “Beyoncé Day” in Minnesota. The Governor of MN, Mark Dayton, designated May 23rd as an official day, and that’s when I launched my first workshop. From there, my business, “Certified by Corbin,” was born. Teaching young dancers brings me so much joy, and I also love working with adults—especially when I get to lead a fun and empowering heels class! Going home to Minnesota to give back is something I truly cherish. I often stop by my old high school to teach or speak, offering words of encouragement. I remember what it felt like to be so hungry for my dreams, and how the right words from someone who had been there could ignite my drive even more.
With the success I’ve achieved in dance and the growth I’ve experienced personally, I felt a calling to use my voice for good, so I started motivational speaking. I want to make a difference. I want children to be set up to win, but I know that not all children have the same resources, and they’re doing the best they can with what they were given Right now, I’m focusing on speaking to young dancers about how to succeed and become the best they can be, but my dream is to expand that message to all children and organizations. The mindset it takes to be great in any field is universal, and I want to help as many people as I can to realize their potential.
Who would’ve thought I’d follow in my mother’s footsteps and become an educator? My grandmother was also an educator—a first-grade school teacher. It’s funny how life works; they say you end up becoming the thing you least expect, and here I am! Now, I’m choosing to further my education so that I can better educate others. I’ve enrolled back in school with the goal of earning my master’s in psychology. For where I see myself and the future business opportunities ahead, this can only bring more good into my life and the lives of others.
Over the past two years, I’ve deeply immersed myself in volunteering with youth. I spent six months with a program called Treehouse, volunteering at their Brooklyn Park location in Minnesota. Treehouse has multiple facilities around the Twin Cities, and their mission to end hopelessness in teens resonated with me deeply. My time there showed me just how vital a supportive adult figure can be in a young person’s life. Currently, I’m working with an organization called Hope in a Suitcase based out of downtown Los Angeles, which supports children in the foster care system. Each child gets to leave a “shopping day” with a bag full of new clothes and a brand-new suitcase because they deserve something special and new. I absolutely love volunteering and am inspired to create my own nonprofit in the near future.
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?
Integrity: Living with integrity is crucial. It means being able to honestly say, “Yes, that was me,” or “No, that’s not right.” It’s about owning up to your actions and never compromising your values, even when it’s difficult. I wish I had learned this lesson earlier in life, but taking responsibility and being true to yourself is something I now hold dear.
Financial Knowledge: Understanding money is vital, yet it’s often a topic that’s avoided or left unspoken. But ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. You need to be aware of your financial situation—know your numbers, track your spending, and identify any issues. By doing so, you can improve your financial health and reach your goals.
Hunger for Success: If you’re not passionate and driven toward your own success, you’ll find it hard to achieve it. No one else can force you to put in the work—it has to come from within. Make a conscious decision to pursue your dreams with everything you’ve got. Remember, no one is coming to save you. It’s up to you to save yourself and make your dreams a reality!
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Patience has never been my strongest suit. Over the past year, I’ve been in a period of deep reflection and growth. For so long, I was known as Corbin “the dancer,” and not being on stage for over two years has been challenging. Watching others pursue the things my heart still yearns for was tough. My identity was so intertwined with my career that it took me about six months to fully let it go. I had to remind myself daily that “I am more than just a dancer” and trust that everything will work itself out. Life has felt much slower than I’m used to, and I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that different seasons of life require different kinds of patience. There’s a need for this period of harvesting to bring about the fruit that I know I deserve. I’ve been diligently planting seeds and doing the work, allowing time for everything to fall into place. I didn’t become a “Beyoncé” dancer overnight; it took years of dedication and perseverance. I’m learning that great things take time, and my biggest area of growth has been embracing patience. I trust that the seeds I’ve planted will eventually bloom, and I’ll reap the rewards in God’s perfect timing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @certified_corbin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@certifiedbycorbin
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