Local StoriesMay 19, 2026

Community Highlights: Meet Mackenzie McLean of Pinellas Dance Collective

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mackenzie McLean.

Hi Mackenzie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in St Petersburg Florida. I started dancing at the age of 4 and stuck with it since. I grew up dancing a studios such as Academy of Ballet Arts, FYI Dance Company, and Arts Conservatory for Teens. I high school I attended Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School where I graduated with a major in dance.

In 2023 I joined ATLAS Modern Ballet Company as an apprentice. After finishing my season with ATLAS I was offered a company contact with Tampa City Ballet and have been with them since. I have recently performed in shows such as DAP Festival Colleges of the globe in Italy, Carmen, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, La Septima, and A Very Broadway Christmas. She is currently a ballet, jazz, and contemporary instructor at several dance studios in the Tampa Bay area, including Arts Conservatory for Teens, Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School, Academy of Ballet Arts, West Florida Dance Company, 5th Dimension Dance Company, and FYI Dance Company. I am also currently traveling around the country on the weekends working for Universal Ballet Competition and Shake the Ground Dance Competition.

I am currently enrolled at St Petersburg College, working towards a degree in marketing. As a side business I like to edit social media content for personal and business pages and I hope to continue to gain knowledge on the analytics of social media marketing and how it can grow a performers career.

Recently I started up my own 501 c3, Pinellas Dance Collective. Pinellas Dance Collective is an educational and performance-based non-profit driven to provide pre-professional and professional artists with training and performance opportunities. Pre-professional students can grow their craft by engaging in workshops, classes, private coaching, and performance opportunities with local professional artists. Opportunities give pre-professional students the ability to gain additional mentorship from those who are currently employed practicing the art of dance. The Collective values empowering diversity, building community, and nurturing creativity through collaboration, sparking imagination with the artists we work with. Through Pinellas Dance Collectives’ professional curriculum and performances, artists will have space to harvest their passion and appreciation for the arts, as well as preparing to pursue college and their careers in the arts.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My biggest struggle was deciding what I wanted to do post high school graduation. I was offered almost a full scholarship to my dream college in California at the same time I was offered a position dance start dancing professionally in my home town. I had such a hard time deciding what would be the best option for my career. I decided to stay in Florida and begin my professional career while doing St Petersburg College online to allow myself travel flexibility in my schedule. If I am being completely honestly, for the first year I felt as though I made the wrong choice. I had major FOMO seeing all my friends I graduated with starting their new life all over the country. Even when I started booking amazing professional jobs, I still had this feeling inside wondering what it would be like if I moved to California instead. Once I started to realize all the performances and connections I was (and still am) making, I realized staying in Florida was the best choice I ever made.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pinellas Dance Collective ?
Pinellas Dance Collective is an educational and performance-based non-profit driven to provide pre-professional artists with training and performance opportunities. Pre-professional students can grow their craft by engaging in workshops, classes, private coaching, and performance opportunities with local professional artists. Opportunities give pre-professional students the ability to gain additional mentorship from those who are currently employed practicing the art of dance. The Collective values empowering diversity, building community, and nurturing creativity through collaboration, sparking imagination with the artists we work with. Through Pinellas Dance Collectives’ professional curriculum and performances, artists will have space to harvest their passion and appreciation for the arts, as well as preparing to pursue college and their careers in the arts.

I want readers to realize that what I am building isn’t just another training program. Its a collective where our communities artist can feel safe to explore new ideas, genres, and creation.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory would having to be going to dance competitions with my best friends and family. The road trips, long comp nights, and many early mornings really brought me closer to my loved ones. I don’t look back and remember what awards I got as much as I find myself reminiscing on the time spent with them doing what I love.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.