Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooklyn Morrow
Hi Brooklyn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always danced since I can remember. It has always been my constant, my outlet, my thing. I was born in Texas but moved to Iowa with my grandparents where I was dancing in a little studio that helped really shape my passion. I would say my professional training really began somewhere in high school during some formative years with Kristina Wallace. She gave me my first real shot at learning how to dance by setting up a simple exchange; I taught classes for her and she paid for my dance/competition fees. This was a godsend to a kid with a lot of siblings and a single mom. I didn’t mind the 45 minute drive weekly through snow and freezing temperatures to spend 8-10 hours in the studio every Sunday, it was also my favorite thing about my week. In fact, I was so persistent about dance being my life that I actually opened up a dance studio at the age of 15 (with my big sisters help) and I ran it for 2 whole years before officially letting it go. I learned very early how difficult the business journey could be but it didn’t discourage me.
After competitively dancing on a scholarship for a few years at a college in Iowa, I decided to move my passion back to where I was from, right here in Texas where I attended Texas State University, arguably one of the best dance departments in the country. I learned so much at Texas State, mostly I learned how much I did not know. From basic ballet to show production, my brain (and my body) was flexing every single day. I got connected with one of the most life altering people there ever was, Jade Greenough. She was returning back to school to finish up and was simultaneously opening up a studio in Buda, TX – Pivotal Academy of Dance. We were in the same Pilates class and she will tell you to this day, I was rarely there lol.. Busy living my party life when she actually offered me a job as her Hip-Hop coach. Little did I know this one experience would set my life on an entirely new track. Jade demanded excellence and gave her team every single tool needed to succeed; at PAD my coaching skills really got challenged, but also fine tuned. I had always taught kids but this was the first time I would’ve really considered myself a true leader. A few short years later, we were developing her first and only original hiphop company, PADlock Dance Crew. PADlock quickly became a priority for me. Mixing music, doing choreo and talking strategy with Ms. Britt. The skills I learned in this space are skills I use everyday as a leader, a dancer and even as a mom (yes somewhere in here, I met the ABSOLUTE love of my life and had a few babies..).
This was also the time in my life where I was introduced to THE Jami Stigliano, founder and CEO of DivaDance. Jami really challenged underdeveloped parts of me as a young adult like my beliefs about community and inclusivity. Her and her team honed my teaching skillset into a delivery that was truly accessible for everyone and then – a new passion took over: I want to bring dance to EVERYBODY. At that time, there were only a few franchises but quickly Jami and her team have grown that to over 50 locations in the US and internationally. I always felt lucky to have watched this idea grow into something so impactful on countless peoples lives.
Although, I had moved to San Antonio during COVID I still coached a few times a week and was just as excited to be there regardless of the long drive. When I moved to San Antonio, Jami had connected me with the DivaDance San Antonio Owner, Danielle Ledezma. Danielle is a huge part of my story, not only as a boss but as a friend and a fellow mother. She gave me a place to fall after a rough transition to a new city during a very strange time. I was only teaching once a week for her but quickly our relationship grew into an extremely cherished and supportive friendship. After a few years, I was promoted to her Director of Performance Programs where I got to live out my dreams of producing big shows (cue all the skills I learned from Jade), directing choreography/music videos and watching people achieve a level of confidence they have never thought was possible. The older I get the more I realize that everybody deserves a safe place, a place to grow, be valued and be loved. DivaDance San Antonio is authentic in form and offers our community so much more than just dance classes. DivaDance in general is so much more than a dance class.
I had my baby boy in August and to my surprise was offered the General Manager position at DivaDance San Antonio upon my return from maternity leave. I have only been in this new position for a few months but feel like I have grown exponentially in my leadership skills, my multitasking and my overall community impact. Growing a family and raising children so far away from my family support system has always been hard for me but having the support of my work family and the community that Danielle initiated has held me up through some of the hardest times in my life. I am so grateful. Being a mom (because believe me, that is my #1 job in this life) is a job equally frustrating as it is precious, it is rewarding and challenging, beautiful and ugly, time consuming and yet all the time flies by. I enjoy the space that my job gives me to be myself outside of motherhood. To show up as I am, albeit messy at times but still being trusted to influence and lead the people I am around in a positive way. There is so much of my story I didn’t include, many challenges I didn’t touch on because although those times shaped me as well, these are the true building blocks of individuals that really gave me what I needed to grow into who I am today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. The road would smooth out occasionally but always some quick turns or scary loops. I would say my biggest struggle along the way would be doing it mostly all on my own. I moved away from my family to pursue some kind of career in dance and although the risk didn’t seem as scary at 18, it does now that I am a mother to very small children. I never knew if I was doing the right thing for them trying to pursue something of the arts. I was lucky enough to have a supportive partner that held it down while I grew this into a full time job. I’ve struggled with proving my passion as something legitimate enough to be seen as worthy of a full time income. I’ve struggled personally through pregnancy, a pregnancy loss that almost took my life and postpartum depression. In fact, none of it was easy. It was all hard but certainly worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the General Manager at DivaDance San Antonio but I started as a dancer and a dance teacher. I am known for hip-hop dancing, my choreography and my high energy classes. Although I had the privilege of coaching some AMAZING dancers, I am most proud of my recitals/shows that I have produced at DivaDance San Antonio that showcased some people who have never danced/performed before in their lives. Watching their dreams come true has been the most impactful thing for me as an artist and creative. I am equally as proud of my kids and who they are growing into. I am proud of my motherhood journey and allowing my kids to witness their mom push for a life she loves that still allows her to spend time and energy on them every single day <3
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is eating pancakes with my grandparents every Sunday morning. The conversations were pretty boring but the pancakes were always bomb.
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