Meet Isabelle Musk

We recently connected with Isabelle Musk and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Isabelle, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

As a true believer in the life-changing power of small acts of kindness and genuine human connection, generosity has forever been rooted in my morals and values as an individual.

When I became involved in the Miss America Organization in 2023, I developed my community service initiative, “Leaping Into Wholeness: The Benefit of Movement”, not only to encourage and share the benefits of physical activity, but to provide assistance, mentorship, and opportunities for our youth to participate in movement-based activities themselves.

Throughout my years as dancer since the age of four, I was fortunate to have the financial aspect of my training never brought to my attention. Being raised in such a nurturing and welcoming dance studio, it became my second home. However, I quickly realized that many children never get the chance to experience that sense of belonging nor find their passion in life due to financial limitations.

This sparked the launch of a six week after-school dance program throughout the Whitehall Districts Schools in Michigan from 2023-2024. The program consisted of technical dance training, mentorship, and a sense of community that culminated in a final choreography showcase for friends and family and the beginning of The LEAP scholarship for movement-based activities awarded throughout each grade level.

This propelled my initiative into not only a scholarship program, but my very own 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, The LEAP. Immediately after being crowned Miss Michigan’s Teen 2024, I knew I was called to use my title as a microphone — to represent Michigan proudly while amplifying the voices and needs of our youth across both Michigan and Boston.

Through personal fundraising, private, individual donations, and partnerships with national organizations and small businesses, The LEAP has awarded over $8,000 in scholarships since 2023. The ambition behind the continuing expansion of The LEAP doesn’t come from a desire for personal satisfaction, but from the joy of watching children light up as they try new activities, discover new passions, and find a second home within a supportive community.

My mission isn’t defined by numbers, it’s about opening doors. It’s about giving young people the chance to explore, to grow, and to find the place where they truly belong just as I was fortunate enough to do. The messages and photos I receive from parents, sometimes even years after their child is a LEAP scholarship recipient, reminds me why my work matters so deeply. Every day, I’m beyond grateful to be entrusted with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of so many children. They are my reason, my strength, and most of all, my inspiration.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Isabelle Musk — a 19-year old non-profit founder, Miss Michigan’s Teen 2024, model, and dancer located in Boston, MA. As a second-year at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, working to obtain my BFA in Commercial Dance and Minor in Creative Entrepreneurship, I aspire to work in the professional industry at Radio City Music Hall as a New York City Rockette, on Broadway, and touring with artists. Ultimately, I hope to own my very own dance studio to teach and choreograph, giving back to our youth and the dance community that has shaped me. While balancing a rigorous 20-credits per semester within the Conservatory’s accelerated three-year, I’m also completing my full certification as a Pilates instructor and serving as the Founder and CEO of The LEAP, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance, mentorship, and community to individuals across the country who wish to participate in movement-based activities. Together we are breaking barriers, opening doors, and expanding access to wellness, fostering inclusivity, promoting active lifestyles, and empowering generations through movement and wholeness. Visit our website —https://www.theleapnonprofitorganization.com and follow us on Instagram @theleapnonprofitorganization. One of the most special aspects of being a student at the Boston Conservatory is training alongside such talented and driven individuals. Their passion inspires and pushes me to evolve daily while dedicating 30+ hours each week to honing our craft. Yet, as fulfilling as the art of dance is, it’s also a highly competitive industry that requires dancers to consistently advocate for themselves. While being an industry that is every man and woman for themselves, I realized early on that my deepest sense of fulfillment doesn’t come from personal success alone, but from contributing to something much greater than myself. This realization is what sparked the creation of The LEAP. Through The LEAP, we are continually networking, volunteering, fundraising, and developing new ways to open doors for our youth. We welcome inquiries, collaborations, partnerships, and sponsorships — please contact us at [email protected] if you’re interested in supporting our mission. We’d love to connect with you! Looking ahead, The LEAP is excited about the launch of new merchandise, a YouTube channel, and a book currently in development, and our 2026 The LEAP scholarship application and our 2nd annual Relevé x The LEAP scholarship in partnership with Releve Dance Studio’s Booster Club, will be opening soon. Currently, we are preparing for our 2026 White Lake Talent Show fundraiser in Michigan located at the White Lake Playhouse, and continuing our meaningful partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs in both Michigan and Boston. I’m excited to share that I’m looking forward to returning to the Miss America Organization as a Miss contestant to continue sharing my passion and outreach with The LEAP 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?

The past two years have been thus far the most life-changing and impactful to my journey as a young female entrepreneur. If I had to describe that journey is three words, they would be trust, ambition, and courage. During this time, I adopted the motto, “What is meant to be, will be”, a phrase that guided me throughout my preparation for the Miss Michigan’s Teen 2024 competition and that I’ve held onto since.While simultaneously gearing up to graduate high school and only being in the Miss Michigan Scholarship Program since February of 2023, I never expected to have the honor to carry the title of Miss Michigan’s Teen throughout 2024. In the midst of competition prep, I made a quiet promise to myself — to stand confidently in my morals and values, to lead with my heart and passion, and to embrace every moment of such an unforgettable experience to ensure Michigan saw Isabelle in her entirety. This trust in what is meant for me, will find me, has allowed me to live boldly and wholeheartedly; seeking new opportunities, creating my own possibilities, and viewing every “no” as a simple redirection towards what was meant for me. The ambition behind my work comes from an innate desire to not only grow into the woman I aspire to become, but to also make a meaningful difference in this world. Yet, I would not be the young woman I am today without the people who have stood behind me, supporting every endeavor and believing in every idea of mine. Without my parents, friends, Relevé Dance Studio, my Miss Michigan family, and every single child I’ve had the privilege to work with, I wouldn’t have found the strength or courage to leave Michigan and pursue a dance career. Leaving my hometown was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made. While it will forever be where I come from, I wasn’t scared to leave the place — I was scared to leave my people. Even 15 hours away from home though, they have cheered me on every step of the way, inspiring and fulfilling me with the courage to continue advocating, connecting, and inspiring so passionately and effectively that, someday, my presence will speak volume in rooms I’m not in.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

While it’s incredibly smart to play to our strengths, it’s also equally essential to be well-rounded as an individual. In the dance industry especially, immersing ourselves in every style and developing extra skill sets can make all the difference. You never know how valuable a special skill can be in an audition room — sometimes it’s the deciding factor between booking the job or not. The more you are able to pull out of your toolbox, the more versatile and valuable you are. It’s human nature to gravitate towards what we find comfort in, but stepping beyond familiarity and expanding our horizons is what allows us to reach our greatest potential and uncover our truest selves. By submerging ourselves in new experiences and challenging ourselves in unfamiliar spaces, we open doors to endless opportunities, invaluable networking connections, and meaningful relationships. Beyond my studies at the Boston Conservatory, being a non-profit founder and soon-to-be certified Pilates instructor are equally as vital to my personal well-being and my marketability in the industry. Although moving to Boston was initially intimidating, choosing to stay adaptable, open-minded, and willing to explore everything the city has to offer has allowed me to create a second home and discover a new version of myself. A person I not only like, but a multi-faceted young woman that is eager and prepared for whatever the future holds.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theleapnonprofitorganization.com/
• Instagram: Personal — isabellemuskk & Non-Profit — theleapnonprofitorganization
• Facebook: Personal — Isabelle Musk & Non-Profit — The LEAP Non-Profit Organization
• Linkedin: Isabelle Musk

Image Credits

Meagan Gilbert Photography
Craig Watson Photography
Zedaura Photography
HC Photography
Faith Nguyen