Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Harper.
Samantha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up I never had much family. I lost my dad at 1 and my mom grew as a since mom for the next 2 years. During this time my mom really saw how much I was dancing. It would be anywhere I went. My mom put me in ballet and tap for a few years in my hometown, until she realized I was better than the majority of the other girls. I switched my studio and I flourished. My mom ends up getting married, and all seemed well. Throughout the next few years of my life, I lost my brother and step-sister during this time, all while going to school and being in extracurricular activities. I was always very involved, but nothing stuck to me like dance. Throughout school, it was what I looked forward to, especially if I was having a bad day. Dance has become my escape from the rest of the world. I was so deep into this. I was at workshops every weekend when we didn’t have competition, nonstop practicing, educating myself on the history, and worked with some of the best dancers in the state of TX as well as nationally known dancers. I was growing so much. I was able to travel to Mexico to perform with on The Royal Caribbean, Disney World, OKC, and so many more. I was able to work with performance managers at large cooperations, Tj Maple from SFA, Bluebonnets, WOD, JaQuel Knight, and more. Towards the end of my grade school training, I ended up getting really sick for about a month, and I was told I couldn’t dance for a while. This was absolutely heartbreaking to me, even though it was only temporary. It took a huge toll on my mental health because I had no other way of expressing my feelings. My main talent, and my source of healing. I felt so lost. I went back to dance after this and decided it was time for a change. I was going in my Senior year and I had learned so much, I was ready to expand my knowledge before I was in the real-world teaching students what I love. I tried out for our drill team and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I was able to broaden my knowledge and better myself all around. That was exactly where I needed to be. Time rolls around and I graduate. I decide to start training girls to better their dance careers. Soon after this. I got an offer to run an entire dance program on my own for a few months. I took it and ran. Not only did my love for dance grow, even more, I learned so much and even had some opinion changes. After this, I began my brand “Sam I Am: Dance” and started performing & choreographing. Whether it be a performance, private training, backup dancing, or choreography, I love it and that’s what I do. I’ve had more hardships than people can count, and I was still able to do what I’m doing today. Dance has impacted my like unlike anything else. Without it I would simply be a shell, I would probably be depressed in all honesty. But regardless. I have it and it’s my talent. It got me through 21 years of pain and grieving. It’s what I love
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I definitely struggled with my health, but honestly, dance got me through everything. I had a deadly case of mono and infections right before the biggest competition season of my life. The death of both of my siblings and my dad, the general stress of training 20+ hours a week on top of being an honor roll student and being involved. I was definitely expected to me the golden child, and I guess that’s what made it so difficult. I didn’t have the hardest life no. but probably the hardest problem I had (as a kid) was my stepdad was never around. It was always just my mom. And I had to fight tears often because he said he would be there then never was. As an adult, my biggest problem is acceptance. So many managers and agencies out there are looking for perfect, and I’m just not that sometimes. Whether it be how I look, how I speak, or overall, they want someone else, it really sucks. Especially growing up with a supportive mother, I always worked hard enough to get to my goals, but the real world isn’t like that. But that’s why I created my own brand, and later in life hopefully a studio. Give anyone a platform to express their emotions, and not feel the stress of being “perfect”.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m actually in a group called “TRU” or “The Runners Up”, and it’s like a talent group. We have both visual and vocal artists involved around our area. My part, is I dance, teach routines, and set stage directions (along with running our own social media and brand). We are able to go to see each other’s shows and market/network as well. With that being said, we even go as far to make our own personalized business connections and deals. Aside from TRU, I’m studying to get my CPT as well to be able to train dancers for not only their routines but their physique in general. I’m already giving choreography and technique tips to my clients, and I’m working every day to broaden my knowledge to see my clients thrive like I am.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’ve definitely taken some risks here and there. Switching studios and where I was training was a huge risk. I had never been on a drill team, and I didn’t know that side of dance. Taking the dance job to start that program, was also a huge risk for me. I was putting my time, effort, and money into something that may never form fully. Other than that, dancers choose risk every day. Whether that’s spending money on clothes and intensives/classes, or risking ruining your body if you’re not trained correctly. AND choosing dance is a risk in itself. Yes, there’s jobs in the world. and you can make money dancing, but it doesn’t happen to everyone. It almost seems like 1 in a million make it. You have risked your livelihood for your dreams when you’re a dancer and don’t want that 9-5.
Pricing:
- Beginner Privates: $25/hr
- Intermediate Privates: $35/hr
- Advanced Privates: $45/hr
- Group Privates (Adults): $150/3hrs
- Group Privates (Kids): $250/3hrs
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official.samiam
- Other: https://linktr.ee/official.samiam
