Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Hayes.
Maya, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I began my entrepreneur life at the age of nine years old in 1986! Believe it or not, it hasn’t just dance. I began in arts and crafts. I painted and sewed many items I sold to classmates and teachers throughout elementary and middle school. I fell in love with dance after learning musical instruments were my strong interest. I played the violin and piano for a while, but moving to the sounds fit me better! I began dancing while watching the 80’s hit TV Show fame and when Debbie told LeRoy to jump, I jumped too! I never stopped. My parents nurtured my entrepreneur spirit at an early age. I was a scholar in school and a business-minded young lady as well from forcing my sisters to dance to creating neighborhood teams that battled in my front yard and others. Those were the good ole days in Mississippi.
Soon, while in high-school, I joined the Show Choir and Color Guard of Robert M. Callaway High school. They used to hire someone to come in to do choreography for our color guard. After the first year, I was able to convince my band director to let me choreograph our routines. Of course, I was Captain two years in a row. My mom was an educator at my high school, so of course, he let me shoot my shot. We then took on all superior during several band competitions. I then began teaching at area middle schools and high schools, today I’ve taught at every middle and high school in the Jackson Public Schools District. I even taught at the college level of Mississippi State and Ole Miss University.
Soon my summers were spent in NY with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Alvin Ailey summer youth intensives. I knew I wanted to be a prima ballerina. I auditioned at NYU and made it! But soon, that would take a drastic turn when my mom became ill with ALS. So, I ended up at Hinds Community College where I was a member of the Famous Hi-Steppers under the late Anna Bee. I stayed a semester then transferred to Jackson State University. There I was the President of the JSU Dance Ensemble and won Most Outstanding Choreography during an HBCU Fine Arts Competition held at Howard University. There I met my legend, Ms. Debbie Allen! I received the best compliment.
Later, I auditioned for the NBA and made the 1997 Championship Chicago Luvbulls Dancers. My mom encouraged me to give pro sports a try. She was right. Soon after her passing, I kept teaching at my studio I had since age 15 gift from my dad. In the Spring of 2002 another opportunity to make this short that year changed my course in life. In 2002 I was named as a Rookie American Sweetheart for the Famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders! Opened another studio in Dallas, and later became a member of the Dallas Mavs Dancers! I’ve been directing arena football cheerleaders and I have a popular youth dance team known as MCDC, aka Maya Christine Dance Company. My student does over 55 shows a year. Stay tuned. We are in the exciting phase of prepping for a new Reality TV show about my journey and dance company. Since the pandemic has slowed a lot, I am keeping busy. My studio will reopen in August 2020. And my third and final school will open Fall of 2021, in beautiful Togo, Africa!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Entrepreneur life hasn’t been easy by any means. I’ve had my ups and downs, achievements, and failures. But I wouldn’t trade a thing. Lots of lessons learned and greater success achieved.
StarFire Productions – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company is StarFire Productions is a company that specializes in dance education, entertainment, and inspiring young professionals through all forms of dance. I call them my dancing scholars because I care about their everyday education and life lessons. We specialize in all Dance genres include Ballet, Jazz. Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Praise, Latin, Pom, Pro Cheer, Adult classes, and Majorette.
We are known for our show-stopping performances, poised style, and most of all, versatility to accommodate every appearance and show request. We have performed for many communities, charity, competitions, professional sporting events, weddings you name it!
I believe what sets StarFire apart from other schools in the opportunities my students gain on every level. We’ve had over 40 college scholarships and successful career-driven styles. Students learn to write a curriculum vitae they can update as they go through life, not to mention the hours of community service they fulfill each year. We often give back to our communities and others we are invited to. We don’t just teach dance. We teach discipline, education and how to be good citizens in the studio and out of the studio.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I describe success as the satisfaction you’ve done it on your own with the help of Jesus. There is no greater satisfaction knowing you serve in the Spirit. Our company motto is: We Are Always Dancing in the Spirit. No one can steal your joy, especially with the journey I’ve been on for now 36 years.
Pricing:
- Regular Semester Classes range from $65-unlimited hours $225
- MCDC Youth Dance Team $165 per mo.
- Class Drop in cards $15
Contact Info:
- Address: 1615 North Hampton Blvd Suite 220 DeSoto, Texas 75115
- Website: www.starfireproductionspro.com
- Phone: 214-872-0756
- Email: starfireproduction@gmail.com
- Instagram: @starfirepro
- Facebook: @starfirepro
- Twitter: @starfireprodpro
Image Credit:
Sterling Photography – Jackson, MS
LaDelrio Looks – Jackson, MS
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