LA Dance Magic's Jackie Sleight and Dave Carter
I first came into contact with Jackie in 1982 when I received a scholarship to Dupree Dance Academy, which was then the "in" Hollywood dance studio for all young, aspiring dancers. Jackie was one of the hot teachers in a cluster of creative talent at that time including Bill Goodson, Carol Connors, Laurence Blake, Pat Rico and many others. Jackie still has that same vibrant, contagious enthusiasm that I remember. I can feel it over the phone.
When I talk to Jackie about her days teaching at Dupree she remembers the feeling in the air. She adds, "I think that the people teaching there at that time, like me, had no other choice....they had to dance." She explains to me how some can leave the dance world for a completely different career, others absolutely cannot. They have to dance. She belongs to the latter.
I ask how her life has changed since then. She is now married to Dave Carter, and together they run their own business, L.A. DanceMagic, a tremendously successful convention and competition. She tells me, "We met in a dance class, no surprise, and now have two boys ages six and eleven." I ask her how she is able to juggle motherhood with her career. "3:00 is the end," she tells me, referring to her work day. "I go out of my way to be with them after school, so to my boys, it feels like Mom isn't really working at all." I comment that for most dance teachers, their work day starts when their children come home from school. This creates a difficult time crunch and conflict. "But it makes Mom very interesting!" Jackie points out.
Remembering my experiences as a judge for dance competitions, I ask her, "Do you thrive under pressure, because that's one of the reasons that I couldn't continue judging. I needed balance, relaxation and calm. I had felt too rushed and panicky at those competitions....trying so hard to keep careful notes and be exact about who deserved what." Yes, Jackie does thrive under pressure. She finds the challenges of convention and competition exciting. We talk for a minute about adrenaline. Some find a fast, high-pressure atmosphere exhausting.....others love it. Jackie tells me that she loves watching what can be produced from an idea...she gives this advice: "Don't just think...do!"
She tells me about a recent workshop that she gave to dance teachers. Her voice picks up with enthusiasm. "You have to make it a business, because it is, but some forget why they're doing this." She reminded the teachers to ask themselves, "What am I doing, and why am I doing it?" The idea being to bring teachers back to the theme, "We are dancing and teaching dance because we love it." As we speak, I think to myself how people can feel it when someone loves something, because love is the highest vibration. She tells me how music is her greatest love, except songs that call women the b word! I laugh and agree with her.
Talking about the senior students at her workshops, she says, "You can change their life with one comment." This is so true. Often in my own life I have had students return to my class and tell me that they took a suggestion that I had, and it turned their life around.
She tells me that she does talk to the teen-agers about substance abuse. "If you talk honestly, they'll know that you understand. It's so hard to be in high school." Talking with her, I see that Jackie has an ability to put herself in the students' shoes and remember what it was like at that age. She has compassion and understanding and the kids feel that.
In my own teaching I find the best way to stay inspired is to continue to take classes myself and feed myself new material, choreography, and be around others who love to dance and excel in their field. When I tell Jackie that I still take class a couple of times a week she says, "Oh, I love you!" She sounds wistful and like she would love to take class too. That's one thing that dancers all have in common. We love class.
Below is a clip from the website www.ladancemagic.com
Jackie and Dave founded L.A. DanceMagic in 1999. The mission of the company is to provide a nurturing learning environment where students can feel safe to challenge themselves with new movement styles without feeling intimidated. In addition, Carter and Sleight hope to inspire, motivate and teach positive values, both inside and outside of the competition arena.
LADM strives to provide the best possible family environment for dancers, teachers, directors and parents so that they may enjoy their competition experience. "It has always been important to us to teach our students about commitment, integrity, and keeping your word to others and to yourself.
LADM is on a mission to help fight against drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. We believe that dancers are superior athletes and must have respect for their bodies. Growing up is tough, making unpopular decisions is tougher, and staying strong with your choices...painful. Let's fight the battle together. For three years, we have promoted the LADM Body. Audra Griffis from Ohio was our first model, followed by Tyne Steklein from Colorado and now Steviee Dunn from Utah. These dancers have what it takes...a healthy attitude and a strong will. The L.A. DanceMagic Lifestyle. It's your body! Respect it!
Jackie tells me that she likes to keep moving on. She has directed and choreographed for some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry and she loves it. She is developing a new country artist at the moment. "I'm having so much fun!" she laughs. My sense is that Jackie and Dave will continue to grow, inspire and produce great work and a fulfilling home life at the same time. For more information go to www.ladancemagic.com or call (818)541-1316.