Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jamilah “Milah” Lucas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Jamilah “Milah”, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
For self care, I like to indulge in activities that make me happy and relaxed. For instance, after accumulating long work weeks during the month, I’ll take a day off and go to the Korean spa to rejuvenate. Going to the spa for me feels like a change of scenery where I can enjoy saunas or baths, and go get a massage or facial. I feel it helps me to be able to step back into my work week energized. I find that I can come up with new ideas and embark in creativity on the job. I also like to attend anime conventions where I can give back to the community by supplying free ballet lessons. Attending anime conventions, I can hang out with long time friends that enjoy the same hobbies I do like costume making, Japanese Fashion, music, and dance. It feels like a breath of fresh air and is most definitely entertaining. I can step back and let loose all the stress being on the job can bring.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Dance has been a large part of my life for over 20 years. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, I was a dance studio owner and Artistic Director of Milah’s School of Dance for 13 years. My studio was nationally ranked with students winning top awards at prestigious dance competitions; receiving partial and full dance scholarships to top industries, schools, companies, and universities; to being the only USA representative at international dance competition Dance Europa: Italia Grand Prix placing Bronze (3rd place in Classical Ballet) and Silver (2nd place in Contemporary). Even though my studio shut down May of 2020, I currently work privately with industry and serious dancers who want a career in dance. I choreograph dances and train dancers in Classical Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Conditioning, HipHop, Jazz, and Acro. 70% of the students I work with are signed to professional agencies for acting, modeling, or dance. I taught at The MoveMeant Project as a Classical Ballet Coach for their Pre-Professional Dancers and Chamberlain School of Ballet. I’m currently teaching at Beyond Belief Dance Company as an instructor and Choreographer for their Pre-Professional Company, Texas Ballet Theater as a Ballet Instructor for the school and their “City Dance Outreach Program”, and Starpower National Talent Competition as a dance adjudicator. During the school year, I’m a part-time substitute teacher for DallasISD K-12. I recently was interviewed and have been honored as a listee for Marquis Who’s Who. I have received a seal of recognition and publication from their organization.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I’m not sure if i can name three but looking back, I think if I didn’t have good dance studios or teachers, I wouldn’t be as disciplined in all aspects of my life. I feel I developed knowledge that could help me in all areas of life. For example, showing up late to a dance class or rehearsal meant I couldn’t participate; no matter how much I cried, pleaded, or said I would make up the time. Those disciplinary actions molded me to understand that no one is obligated to wait for me and I’m not entitled to a second chance. You make a commitment: it is your responsibility to follow through or endure the consequences. Also, coming in to dance class looking neat meant you cared how you appeared to your audience. Today, I take much pride in my appearance because I want to be seen as a professional and taken seriously on the job. How one presents themselves can set the tone for a good or bad impression of you or your work.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes, I would love to collaborate with top organization or agencies that have a professional need for a dance trainer. Because I’ve had past experience with bein signed to an agency in my childhood years and my students being signed to agencies for showcasing their dance skills, I’ve always been asked “how come you don’t sign with an agency to be a choreographer or dance trainer?” I’m here to say that it would be a dream to set choreography for and be signed to a dance industry or agency. I would love to see my work in movies, commercials, or concerts. I remember many years ago, I had dancers who performed back up for a debut artist in 2008. It was a stressful but amazing and rewarding experience. I think of that moment from time to time. One of those dancers, my former student Cristina Aguayo of 10+ years, went on to dance with a full scholarship to University and is an upcoming choreographer herself in the industry.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/milahsdancelife
Image Credits
*Fake Star Photographer *SR Hughes *Jamilah Lucas
