Life and Work with Michelle Latimer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Latimer.

Michelle, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I opened my dance studio in 1992, after teaching for several years in the Denver Metro area. I had been teaching dance students for years and finally realized I wanted to open my own studio so I could personalize the program in the way I thought I could best educate young dancers. I wanted to provide an atmosphere where they could learn excellent dance technique, performance quality and at the same time have a place where they felt encouraged and supported in the pursuit of their dreams.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has not always been smooth… often, I find you need to reassess… take notes on how to improve and become aware of issues you had not even envisioned. It truly helps to be able to step outside and look in from another perspective.

The advice I would give to other women on their journey… is to not be afraid of criticism, it can be used for tremendous growth. If you can try and not take it personally, there are often nuggets of great wisdom to be gleaned from the failures.

I try to take those setbacks and turn them into fuel for the future… what did I learn? How can I improve what I am offering my dancers? What am I missing? Am I capable of evolving?

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I teach dance students and try to guide them in the best way I can to help them achieve, often lofty, goals. I believe in educating the whole human… so that it’s not JUST about dance, it rarely is, it’s mostly about how we can help a young student to recognize their potential and celebrate their efforts and achievements through self-awareness, confidence and most importantly, through gratitude.

We are known for providing an extensive dance training program for accelerated and motivated students with a focus on helping them to pursue dance after high school, whether in college programs or professionally.

I am most proud of creating a legacy of dance students who have been able to realize a life of dance, or a life that has been shaped positively through their experiences in our dance program. We maintain relationships dating back 27 years with former students and I feel a lifelong connection to this wonderful extended family!

There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
I have always firmly believed in the saying “When the student is willing, the teacher appears.”
I believe our mentors arrive when we finally can recognize what we need to learn and what we are ready to receive, in the way of progress, execution, and focus.

I think being really open is key… you have to be able to take yourself out of the equation so that you can be as open as possible to absorb the knowledge that others who are more experienced can offer. And you have to recognize that you never really know everything. I am still learning! Sometimes for peers, or former students or others in my field. I really enjoy becoming more enlightened, and I find it exciting to be able to connect with and reach out to others to network and learn.

What has always worked for me, is just becoming aware of the dance community at large and learning about others and being as involved in events as possible.

Contact Info:

• Address: Michelle Latimer Dance Academy
  8925 E. Union Ave
  Englewood, CO 80111
• Website: michellelatimerdance.com
• Phone: 3032906246
• Email: dancednvr@aol.com
• Instagram: michellelatimerdance
• Facebook: michelle latimer dance academy

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