Southstar Dance Academy

🎉💜 Happy Birthday, Miss Shaelyn! 💜🎉

Today we celebrate one of our amazing SSDA teachers! Miss Shaelyn brings so much joy, creativity, kindness, and passion to our dancers every day. Her dedication to helping our students grow in confidence, technique, and love for dance makes her such a special part of the Southstar Dance Academy family.

We are incredibly proud of all that she does and so grateful for the positive impact she has on our dancers. Please join us in wishing Miss Shaelyn a day filled with love, laughter, happiness, and all the things that make her smile!

🌟 Happy Birthday, Miss Shaelyn! 🌟
May this year bring you endless blessings, exciting opportunities, and dreams come true. We hope your day is as wonderful as you are!

💜 Leave your birthday wishes for Miss Shaelyn in the comments below! 🎂🎈🎁 ✨

We are so excited to welcome back a fan favorite camp from last year! Come join us June 22nd-26th for a WICKEDLY Fun dance camp week. Enroll now at www.southstardance.com

Tonight! 🤩💜

Calling all adults! 💪🩰 Come sweat, stretch, tone, and move with us this summer at Southstar Dance Academy. Adult Barre is a fun, welcoming workout for all experience levels with low-impact movement, strength training, and stretching every Wednesday night. Drop in anytime for just $10! ☀️

Calling all adults! 💪🩰 Come sweat, stretch, tone, and move with us this summer at Southstar Dance Academy. Adult Barre is a fun, welcoming workout for all experience levels with low-impact movement, strength training, and stretching every Wednesday night. Drop in anytime for just $10! ☀️

Senior Spotlight: Sofia Knight

What has dance taught you that you’ll carry into your future?

Dance has taught me not to compare myself to other people when it comes to progress. Everyone moves at their own pace and as soon as you step out of someone else’s shadow, you’ll step into your own light.

• What is your favorite memory at the studio?

When I was six years old, I performed a hip hop number where we wore a hat. At the end of the dance, my hat fell off and I picked it up and kept dancing. Later during awards, I got awarded “Best 6 & Under Hip Hop Dancer”. I was convinced it was because I dropped my hat and continued on.

• How has dance shaped who you are today?

Dance has allowed me to express myself in ways that words never will. The capability to interpret moves how you want to and the creative freedoms behind dance can be brought into every area of my life.

• What will you miss the most about SSDA?

I’ll miss my other family. I’ve been with these teachers and girls since I was three and life won’t feel the same now that I won’t see them everyday. They’ve seen every version of myself and accepted me with open arms and I’ll forever be grateful to them.

• What advice would you give your younger self?

Little me had a lot of problems with doubt and comparison, so I would tell her to keep her head high and not to be hard on herself. That her time will come and just to be patient and not rush the experience now. I would tell her that I’m proud of her and all the work that’s she’s done to get this far.

What makes Southstar special to you?

Southstar will always hold a special place in my heart because of the family-like bond that it holds. We are a studio that’s predominantly girls, so safe to say we’ve had our ups and downs. However, after every trial we’ve had, it’s made us grow closer together and work more as a family than just friendship.

What song represents your senior year?

I would say “Where’d All the Time Go?” by Dr. Dog. I thought my parents were exaggerating when they say that times flies. I was wrong, per usual. It seems like it was just last week that we had our All Around the World recital my freshman year.

• Write a short message to your dance family

I would like to give a huge thank you to teachers and girls who have been with me all these years and supported me! Thank you to my family for coming to every recital, every Arts for All, and every competition. Thank you Ms. Emily for having my back all of these years and noticing when things weren’t okay. And lastly, thank you mom for always pushing me to never give up. Thank you for allowing dance to be a main priority and responsibility in my life. Every fundraising event, every convention, and most recitals backstage, my mom was there. Thank you for everything you’ve done and everything you’re about to do all over again!

Tomorrow’s forecast: nonstop dancing ✨☀️❄️🍂🌸
Or
One more day till we dance through the seasons 🍂❄️🌸☀️✨

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Reality Gee
What has dance taught you that you’ll carry into your future?

Dance has taught me to be disciplined and to keep going even when I’m tired. It’s taught me not to give up, even when I don’t see progress right away. Most importantly, it’s shown me how to be free, not care what others think, and just be myself.

• What is your favorite memory at the studio?
My favorite memories are all the little moments, laughing in between practices, watching your friends dance on stage, getting ready with your dance group, taking selfies in the mirrors in the studio. Those moments that seem small but are the most meaningful.
• How has dance shaped who you are today?

Dance has made me more confident and resilient, allowing me to grow into someone who doesn’t give up easily, works hard & who believes in themselves.
• What will you miss the most about SSDA?
The community in the studio, the friendships and relationships made throughout all my years and it always being a second home to me.
• What advice would you give your younger self?
Enjoy every moment because it will go by faster than you know. And always believe in yourself despite what anyone says.

What song represents your senior year?
vienna - billy joel
• Write a short message to your dance family
Thank you guys for always being

To my dance family, thank you for being such a big part of my life. You’ve pushed me, supported me, and made every moment unforgettable. I’ll always carry the memories, the lessons, and the love y’all have shared with me. I’m so grateful for all of you

Senior Spotlight Hannah Santos:
What has dance taught you that you’ll carry into your future?
Dance has taught me discipline, confidence, and my appreciation for the arts
• What is your favorite memory at the studio?
Mrs Margret’s ballet classes ifykyk😂
• How has dance shaped who you are today?
Dance has made me a better leader and has taught me how to handle constructive criticism
• What will you miss the most about SSDA?
I will miss having a home away from home
• What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t take it for granted it all goes so fast

What makes Southstar special to you?
Southstar has seen me grow into who I am today through every stage of life since I was 4 Southstar holds a very special place in my heart.
What song represents your senior year?
Stop this train by John Myer
• Write a short message to your dance family
Thank you all for being my sisters all these years. Thank you miss Emily for being my encourager, mentor, and life teacher not just dance teacher. Forever thankful for all of the years spent with my SSDA sisters