Today we’d like to introduce you to Nene Robinson.
Nene, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been dancing for over 15 years. I have never taken a professional class in my life, but I still managed to keep up with some of the best girls. After college, I danced Semi-Pro but it just wasn’t enough for me anymore. So I decided to go back to my roots and start coaching my old High School dance team. A couple of years went by and I was approached to teach battle squads. It was fun for a while but stressful dealing with parents and teenagers LOL.
I was transferred to Dallas by my company in late 2017. This was a whole different environment for me and I wasn’t thriving. I had just gone through a really bad breakup and I was depressed. It seemed as if I had lost myself completely. I almost moved back home to Georgia but I didn’t want to give up so easily. My best friend of 17 years kept telling me that I needed to dance it out. Dance has always been my first love and when I needed it the most, it was always. She was right, but I did not want to teach children anymore. This time around I wanted to enjoy dance and not place so much pressure to be perfect on myself. So I created Lez_N_Heels.
This class was a way for me to find and reinvent myself through dance. I can explore my sexuality and also give women the confidence they need in themselves to do the same. Some women tend to lose self-love and sexuality through their day-to-day lives. Women tend wear many hats and most of these hats are used to put others first. Well, my class gives women some of that back. It allows them to explore in a comfortable and private environment fear of judgment, with tons of encouragement from other women. Sexuality can be powerful; it can give you so much confidence in yourself. I love to see how women of all ages feel when they leave my class. That feeling gives me great joy, assures me that I have a purpose and that I am on the right path.
Has it been a smooth road?
Struggling is always part of the process when you are trying to find yourself again. I was not the dancer I used to be. I gained weight, I couldn’t move the way I use to, and I was really beating myself up about it. It took time for me to understand that I wasn’t a bad dancer. I was just a different dancer. Regaining confidence in my body had to be my main obstacle to conquer before I could teach anyone else. I have to practice what I preached. After I learned to trust myself again, I reached out to someone I felt had a great pulse on Dallas and who could give me guidance. Taylor Williams gave me some sound advice and used her own platform to introduce me to Dallas. I will always be grateful to her for believing in me.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Lez_N_Heels is a byob dance class that specializes in beginners. Why beginners? I know this is a road less traveled when it comes to teaching. Beginner dancers often take a lot of time and patience to teach. They also can be their worst enemy. Every student is different and you have to learn everyone’s weaknesses to turn them into strengths. I enjoy seeing the growth in my students and watching them become more and more comfortable with themselves.
What sets my class apart from others is that I do not run my class in a regular fashion. I will not push my students to learn a whole piece of choreography if I see that they are not catching on. I will push them as far as they want to go as a collective group. This gives them the power to be in the driver’s seat. They set the pace of class with my guidance and most of the time; they are pushing themselves. “Speak My Body Language” is my motto. It means that not one person moves the same and that is ok. We are not meant to dance exactly alike and perfection is not the key, but self-love is.
This class is held two to three times a month and it teaches a variety of styles. Twerk, heels, reggae, chair, and majorette are the many styles offered for beginners. Now I do not want people to feel that this class is just for beginners, but it is open to anyone who wants to brush up on their skills or just wants to have fun. I allow alcohol in my class for many reasons. The main reason is to allow my students to break down their walls and absorb what I am teaching. Liquid courage is great for beginners and allows them to be fearless. Everyone drinks responsibly and are all of age.
What I am most proud of when it comes to Lez_N_Heels is that is has become a place of inclusiveness. Everyone is welcomed. I have ages of 21 to over 50 in my class and living their best lives. I am also proud of myself for continuing my journeys in dance and not allowing myself to give up even when I felt defeated. I hope I can continue to encourage women to be their best selves.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Dallas has grown on me. What I noticed is that there is room for growth here. I moved from Atlanta, where dance is like a second language. Dallas gave me the opportunity to change my style and was open to me working out the kinks. I have seen many dance classes pop up over the last year here in Dallas. I guess there is a movement starting here. Let’s hope Dallas continues to open doors for the creatives.
Pricing:
- Regular Monthly Classes: 2 Hours for $10.00
- Private Group Classes: $50.00 an hour and $20.00 per person
- Private 1 on 1 Classes: $40.00 an hour
Contact Info:
- Phone: 478-718-9380
- Email: Lez_N_Heels
- Instagram: @lez_n_heels
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
