Daily Inspiration: Meet Stephanie Dana George

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Dana George. 

Hi Stephanie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Stephanie Dana George and I am the proud owner of The SG Dance Company in Cottonwood Heights. My mom always says that I was dancing way before I was walking…. and it’s true, even now, I dance through life. I don’t just walk through it. I started officially taking dance class at the age of 3. I’ve trained in jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, modern, contemporary, ballroom, tumbling, drill team, theater, etc., etc., etc. Every opportunity I had to dance; I took it. Not only was I in the dance studio many days a week, but I danced with school teams from Junior High through College, danced in play productions, took extra workshops., competed, and learned as much as humanly possible. I was (and always will be) “at home” on the dance floor.

At the age of 16, I landed my first teaching job. And my love for dance grew 10-fold… if that is even possible. Sharing my love and passion with other dancers became my calling. I never stopped teaching after that. I have taught in dance studios and for schools throughout Utah and Arizona. I’ve had the opportunity to choreograph for studios, school drill teams and dance companies, cheer squads, play productions, flash mobs, quinceaneras, city arts councils and so much more.

After a few studios I was teaching for unfortunately had to close their doors through the Covid situation in 2020, it seemed to be my time. My amazing husband motivated me to open my own dance and fitness studio. With his strong and supportive hands guiding me, I dug in my heels and made it happen.

My dreams and plans and visions are grand and big and bold…. and I am on my way!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I firmly believe that the road to success is never smooth, but it’s the twists and turns and bumps that bring to life the vision that was truly made for you. You learn and grow along the way. The road to opening The SG Dance Company was no exception. It took over a year of planning, saving money, talking through ideas, scoping out buildings, researching, etc. But it is worth every single moment…

And I know that I still have tons of work ahead of me. I will always continue to push and make this Dance Company Studio better and better. Life and dance are always changing and evolving… The SG Dance Company will move right along with it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The SG Dance Company offers classes for ages 2 to 102 and everything in between. We offer jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, musical theater, tumbling, and fitness. We also offer contemporary club, workshops and special guest teachers in ballroom, break dancing, line dancing, etc.

Our mission is to instill love of dance while inspiring confidence, discipline, and respect of the performing arts. We provide a technical foundation for the developing dancer. The SG Dance Company will strive to give each individual dancer the tools they need to take dance as far as they dream to take it. We believe if you can dream it, you can achieve it! We believe each dancer has the ability to increase their physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being through our dance program.

We appreciate that the heart of a dancer is born into many different bodies and the love of dance can take on many different styles. We will urge each dancer to strive daily for their personal best, as well as to support one another, teaching the importance of teamwork and friendship.

We believe that the discipline, focus, and artistic enlightenment of dance creates success in all aspects of life. Dance contributes to the development of responsible, dedicated, determined, and creative adults in society.

The SG Dance Company is dedicated to our studio families. We believe open communication and encouragement both at home and within the dance studio will promote a stronger self-worth within each dancer. The success of each dancer is a result of great teamwork between the dance studio and our dance studio families.

As said best by Mikhail Baryshnikov:

“I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.”

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I think most people know a lot of my dance history and experiences… I’ve trained in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, California, Nevada, and New York City. I’ve studied with incredible instructors and dance centers, such as Mia Michaels, Daryl Yeager, and Ballet West. I’ve coached teams bringing them to Top National Championships. I’ve performed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and the Hula Bowl in Hawaii. I could tell you story after story of the many wonderful experiences I’ve had as a dancer and opportunities I’ve had as a teacher and choreographer…

But something people may not know is that I am also a Singer/Songwriter and I own my own Photography Business.

Contact Info:

• Email: thesgdancecompany@gmail.com
• Website: www.thesgdancecompany.com
• Instagram: @thesgdancecompany
• Facebook: fb.me/TheSGDanceCompany
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-sg-dance-company-cottonwood-heights?osq=The+SG+Dance+Company

Image Credits
Stephanie