Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Daly.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have been part of the dance industry for 20+ years. I worked at local studios around DFW and would take jobs to do choreography for other teams and studios, but after while, I decided I wanted to have something of my own. I wanted to build my own team so that I could create how I wanted to create and just be a part of something bigger than myself. I also have two daughters that dance and I wanted to provide them with something that would be so special and so different from just studio dance. The first step I took was creating a hip-hop team, Floor Invasion Dance Crew (FIDC), in 2012 that had a main purpose to go out and perform to gain exposure and knowledge in the dance industry. I also wanted to provide resume-building opportunities for these young artists as they were so talented and driven at such a young age. We were super successful within our first year, we kept growing and started performing for corporate companies and started making a name for ourselves. We started putting more into all the little things. We started building their headshots, profiles, and resumes. Eventually, the kids showed interested in taking it a step further and wanted to start competing. As we were exploring the competition world, we started winning awards and realized how much we enjoyed it and how much it made us grow as a team. Over the years, we performed for Six Flags, Disney World, participated in some televised commercials, including Kia! Now, in 2022, I have opened a new dance studio, Studio 12 Dance Center, in Southlake, Tx! I still have handful of kids that started from the bottom with us in 2012 and are still dancing with us now. It has been years of hardworking, blood, sweat, and tears but I am so grateful to be where I am today and could not have done it without these talented young dancers that push me to be my best self!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
One of the main challenges I have faced on this journey has been constantly trying to find new ways to set us apart from other teams and studios. We have so many surrounding teams that are amazing and we never want to do anything that would make it look like we are trying to create what they have because they all have special things that make them who they are and as do we. I think it’s important that we keep this mindset and fight hard to be one of a kind because it brings so much diversity to the Dallas Dance Community when you can look around and see all these different teams and point out what is special and unique about each one.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am most proud of how far this team and name (FIDC) has come. I look back over the years and remember all the hardships we faced and how I am truly living out my dreams now. Though it is not always perfect, I do have everything I could have ever dreamed of, and I choose to appreciate the times that are not so easy because it helps us grow, and seeing the beautiful ending is always worth it.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I just want to say how grateful I am for the Dallas dance community. Without all these inspiring, creative, and passionate artists, I would not stay as motivated as I am to be different and to always be at our best. I wish I could thanks everyone individually for challenging and inspiring me. It has been a crazy journey, but it has been so special and fulfilling. I wouldn’t change any of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: studio12dancecenter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio12dancecenter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Studio12TX
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@studio12dancecenter42
