Today we’d like to introduce you to Luke Stockton.
Luke, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in a household where our parents allowed us to try any sports or activities as long as we stayed with for the duration of the season or the length of the activity. I was lucky enough to grow up in a family that my sister, brother and I were never forced to participate in something that we didn’t seem to be interested in. I am the youngest of the three so I had to attend many sporting events, outdoor activities and anything else my sister, brother & cousins were involved in. During my childhood, I was introduce to a lot sports, as brought up in a family of sports. We played family wife ball during Thanksgiving, basketball games during Christmas and lake trips in the summer. So growing up I played soccer, baseball, and basketball and ran track & field but none of those sports stuck with me. My sister’s senior year she participated in a production of “The Wizard Of OZ” with the Dance Company we all attended high school at. Little did I know, she had signed me up to be a munchkin in the show and I would have to dance for the first time and perform on stage. Who know, that’s where it all started. After that, I stayed involved and would do one show a year until I entered middle school. During middle school, I would watch the videos of the performance over and over, so I could copy the dancers and learn every routine on my own.
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During high school, I joined the dance company as a technical member first to run the lights, sounds, etc. for some reason was not ready to really to start dance. However, I would learn the dances on the side or go over to a friend’s house and help them choreograph dances. It wasn’t until my high school Mrs. Shanahan told me the summer going into my junior year you are dancing next year, you will go to Jeanne Robinson Dance Arts over the summer with everyone and take class. I did not know anything! At the age of sixteen, I started training at my local studio. I continued all through high school into my two years at the local junior college then decided dance was my passion and it was want I wanted to pursue.
In 2006, I transferred to California State University, Long Beach where I received my Bachelors of Arts in Dance. During this time, I had the privilege to work with many choreographers, dance companies, Disneyland and other dance projects. After graduation, I attend my first audition after college and was hired to work internationally with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Completed that contract, went back home taught at my local studio for 6 months before I was hired to work with Norwegian Cruise Lines. During this adventure of traveling on the opening seas and performing — I might Teddy Talbot. Whom I am happily married to!
We relocated back to Miami, after our contract and decided to begin our lives together here. He graduated from New School of the Arts and lived in Miami before working on the ships, so he was established here. It was me who had to be introduced to the Miami dance community. Within the two weeks back, Teddy and his best friend Crystal encouraged me to audition for a show at the Adrienne Arsht Center. I went in like any audition headshot, resume and ready to dance. Luckily enough, I got booked to be a dancer in the Donkey Show, the disco version of A Midnight’s Summer Dream. And my transition into the Miami dance community has begun. I then started dancing with Dance Now! Miami, choreographing & dancing with Kevin Black Productions, & guesting with Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida. On top of all that I was managing at ALDO shoes on Lincoln road, my schedule was getting more intense, so something had to give so I choose dance and put my two weeks in at ALDO. However, dance contracts and jobs aren’t year around therefore I need some other way for income. Teddy said, why you don’t just try teach for the summer and see if you like. Taught for one summer and then it all begin. I began teaching locally at many different studios in South Florida getting more comfortable, finding my voice as an educator and choreographer. During this time, I taught a few studios steady for a few years and then ran into some problems with different visions, ideas, concept that just weren’t compatible and had to part ways. Well teaching was my main income, so back to the drawing board. However both I and Teddy were looking for teaching jobs because we had left our previous employer because of artistic differences. Everything happens for reason because we had put it out into the universe about what if we do this on our own and then we proposal by investor who wanted help us open our own dance studio. After some thought, the only way to do is to it, so we did. We wanted our voices to be heard through our teaching, our vision, our movement, and choreography without any limitations – just like that TAME Dance Academy was established and opened its doors June 13, 2016.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Starting a new business from just an idea is tough – finding the right location, passing city codes, getting permits and trying to stay on the timeline we envisioned. In my head, I thought sure we can get this done in sixth months, however that was not the case. Our build out got pushed back due to city codes, permits and some other issue arise that were unseen. But we wanted to create TAME the correct way by following the rules, passing city codes and anything else that needed to be approved for us to have successful opening.
Also, being a new business there is going to be some he said – she said traveling through the community both negative & positive. We took the high road and said “Watch what we are going to do, hear our voice and see our vision grow and not be brought down.”
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about TAME Dance Academy – what should we know?
This is our vision for TAME. “TAME Dance Academy is a place where dedication thrives, professionalism radiates & movement is cultivated. Here, the bond between art & entertainment is understood & explored.
TAME Dance Academy provides the highest quality movement education to aspiring dancers throughout the South Florida community. TAME fosters beginner through advanced ballet, jazz, modern, tap, pointe, hip-hop and contemporary programs for dancer’s ages 5-18 years old. TAME instructors also mentor their student body interested in higher education and professional careers in the arts. While TAME offers the opportunity for select students to work in a competitive company, their goal is not only to win awards, but more importantly to create artists. The performance opportunities offered cultivate the students’ technique as well as cultivate what they, as individuals, have to express as movement artists. TAME’s goal is to aid dedicated, passionate youth into becoming hardworking, responsible adults, through the practice of discipline and respect in the studio. With exceptional classes, various performance opportunities and exposure to renowned instructors, choreographers, and working professionals, TAME students have access to what is needed to excel as professionals in the dance world, from concert to commercial work.”
One of the things I am most proud of with what we are doing at TAME, everything is current. You have to make it an appoint to go see shows, work with different choreographers, watch videos and see art because that is where the inspirational lays. Teddy and I make sure each instructor is highly qualified and has something to offer to TAME & our students. Also, all of our instructors and including myself and Teddy are working professionally in the industry constantly on top of our teaching.
We want to share our love for the arts with young artists and teach them what they need to know to audition for a performing arts school, audition for a cruise line/broadway show/commercial work, how to write a resume, etc. Our goal is to give our students the proper training and fundamentals they will need for be ready for the real world.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I thank my friends, family and any one’s path that I have crossed that was help me get to where am I am today. I am beyond thankful for the constant love and support.
Most importantly, I thank my husband Teddy for embarking on this journey with me, constantly reminding me there are no limits, setting our goals high & achieving them, and to enjoy what we are going together. What better way to be experiencing life doing what you love with the one you love.
Contact Info:
- Address: 911 NW 209th Ave STE 105
Pembroke Pines, FL 33029 - Website: www.TAMEDance.com
- Phone: 954.997.7383
- Email: info@TAMEdance.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TAMEdance
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TAMEdance
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAMEdance
Image Credit:
Chris Freeman
Jonathan Givens – EPS Photography
Linda Gould
Simon Soong
Patricia Laine Photography
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