Today we’d like to introduce you to Brennan Wilkins.
Hi Brennan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Dance wasn’t popular in my corner of Fort Worth (My beloved Saginaw Texas). I’d never seen myself as a dancer, at the time I was marching Saxophone, but my mom was obsessed with this show called “World of Dance,” and truthfully, I liked it too. One day she was watching a performance on Latin dance when I mentioned it was something I’d always been interested in.
Well I guess she took a mental note because a few months later, she surprised me with salsa dancing classes in Dallas taught by Jay Styles. I was 15 at the time and it was an adult class, but somehow my mom negotiated to let me try it out. Under the condition that I’d spectate and only do the basics at first, Jay gave me the chance to start learning. Over the next year, I spent my Tuesday nights looking forward to Latin dance – but as schedules got busier and then the pandemic hit, my routine eventually faded away. With live streaming filling in the blank space, I found my passion for helping people in online charity events.
It wasn’t until 2022/2023, after I graduated, that I came back to dance. I’d moved to Lewisville to start my Corporate career and happened upon Cowboys Red River and their free classes – and that’s when I truly fell in love with it. At the time, I was broke, so those free lessons and $20 Latin classes meant everything to me. That’s why I’m so dedicated to keeping lessons affordable today.
Over the next four years, I became obsessed. Country two-stepping, the social scene, the community – it’s something special. (It’s hard to be in your head and over thinking when you’re lost in a dance) I went from dancing twice a week to four times a week, and now I’m teaching seven days a week. After years of dancing at Red River, I got my break when I was invited to help demonstrate for their lessons. That built my confidence and eventually led to me teaching four days a week there. I do my best to be involved with every dance group that presents itself, even now that I’m building my own.
As different instructors rotated through Red River and DFW, I loved learning from all of them – but I wanted something for myself. I wanted to prove I was more than just an assistant and build the kind of business I believe the dance community needs. I’ve always had an itch for leadership and supporting the community-my first successes came from hosting online charity events to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Dance became the next way to channel that passion.
So this past year, I started Rookie Dancing. I began with private lessons and group events, then designed branded shirts and built a professional website to really get things moving. After working in business for the past few years, I’m pouring everything I’ve learned into this. I’m eager to serve the community and bring dance to every corner we can reach.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been anything but a smooth road, the way I look at it though, these are very good problems to have.
The biggest struggle is balancing everything: building a business, working a full-time job, making time for family, friends, my relationship, and my health. But here’s how I see it – I’m overwhelmed with opportunity. Even when unfortunate things happen, I have so much to be grateful for and so much to build on. Even the setbacks give me new platforms to stand on.
The unique challenges I wasn’t expecting, though? Those come from the teaching and business ownership side. For example, what do you do when a student is making people uncomfortable on the dance floor? I had to learn how to address that without crushing their confidence. What do you do when a teacher is too prideful to represent the community you’re trying to build?
The thing about a dance business is that it’s completely people-oriented. I’ve met some of the best dancers in the region, but if their attitude is poor, it kills any real opportunity for growth – for them and for the community. So we bolster passion, and enable laughter – regardless of skill.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Rookie Dancing?
Rookie Dancing is all about newcomer-friendly country dancing. Our motto? “The moment you’re on the dance floor is the moment you’re better than half the people in the room!”
My focus is and always will be building confidence, safety, and fun on the dance floor. Whether you’re just looking to dance with your sweetheart or dance with everyone in the room, we want you to feel great about it.
I’m proud to say our community is extremely beginner-friendly and accessible. In the business-driven hustle of Dallas-Fort Worth, it’s easy to lose sight of our dreams. Rookie Dancing aims to be a business that enables dreamers and empowers the passionate. We fight to keep prices below market standard so people from all backgrounds can jump in, and we provide real employment opportunities for dancers who want to turn their passion into something more.
We specialize in country partner dancing for all levels, with a focus on beginners and musicality. We meet our students where they are to ensure that no matter how advanced they get, they’re having a good time – but just as importantly, that they’re helping their dance partners have a good time too.
What sets us apart? We’re not just teaching steps – we’re helping people develop their own style. I want everyone to know that dancing is for everyone, regardless of money, hometown, or background. We’ll get you on the dance floor and help you build a style that’s uniquely yours, so that no matter where you go in the world, as long as there’s music, you’ll be able to dance and make memories.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
In the next 5-10 years we’re looking to scale immensely, with dance groups reaching beyond Texas, and events reaching beyond the United States.
We’re looking at tackling more than just country dancing, but going back to my roots and bringing Latin onboard as well as others. My mission is not for me to personally the best dancer there ever was, but rather the man who enabled the dreamers to live off of their dreams; and bring others into it.
Pricing:
- 1st Private Lesson is Free – after is $40P/H
- Private Group Classes 30 Per Person
- Group Classes 20 Per Person for 2 hours
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rookiedancing.com
- Instagram: @rookiedancing
Image Credits
Professional Headshot by Collin Reece
