Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Nelson
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story: My husband and I are professionally trained classical singers. We have our graduate degrees from FSU where we majored in opera performance. We have traveled all over the world and all over the US professionally singing in operas, oratorios, and concert works. We have 3 amazing kids that have been saturated with music from birth! In 2017, we moved to Tennessee when my husband, Tyler got a job teaching voice at Vanderbilt University in the Blair School of Music. I also began teaching adjunct as well as singing with Nashville Opera and the Symphony Chorus.
Around 6 years ago, I realized I loved teaching pre-collage students (12 yr – 18 yr) instead of the college age kids. I found them more passionate and excited and more receptive to my teaching! I connected with this age group more than the college level. It was here where I started my own studio and business teaching voice and acting out of my home. I hired 2 other teachers to teach with me and transformed our first floor of our house into a bunch of studios. We did great in my first 1.5 of this venture and grew quickly growing from 5 students to 25 in the first year.
When I was approached to join forces and start a performing arts school, I knew Mt Juliet needed something like this! This is where Dynamic Ballroom and Performing Arts was born! In August 2021 we opened Dynamic BPA. Here we have grown into something really special, not only do we offer dance classes for all ages in ballet, tap, hip hop, and ballroom, and music instruction in piano, violin, guitar, marimba, and drums, but this is where all my music theater loving students could take voice lessons, as well as dance to learn all the skills these triple threat students need, and then have a space to perform a ton. I am proud that we offer dance classes that are geared toward the musical theater student and the skills and instruction they need. Often times our musical theater students don’t realize how much dance they need until middle or high school and feel very far behind when they enroll in just a dance school. Offering classes geared toward helping them at their age and level is exactly what we aim for.
Performing is also a huge part about this industry. Singers not only need instruction and lessons and classes, but if they can’t consistently perform, they don’t get better. We not only offer 7 voice recitals a year, but we go out and perform for the community at parks, fairs and assisted living centers. We also have a show choir, called Lights, that tours to music festivals and different city’s to open for headliners. We have been to Branson MO, Atlanta GA, and will go to Orlando FL this year. And lastly, during the summers and school breaks (fall and spring break), we offer Dynamic Theater. Dynamic Theater is an educational musical theater program where we do musical theater camps as well as Kids, Juniors, and full scale musical theater shows. Last year we produced 2 different MT camps, Finding Nemo Jr., Mean Girls Jr. and Into the Woods (full version). Each one of these camps and shows were geared toward a different age group, so at each level these kids are given opportunities to grow and shine.
This year we are continuing our Theater, but thinking bigger. This summer we are expanding and producing two of our 4 summer shows in local high schools auditoriums. This will allow us to cater to move students, but to have the kids get on a big stage! This is what is coming up:
Spring Break Musical Theater Camp (Comedy vs Tragedy) – ages 7-16 yr
JUNE 18-21: Shrek the Musical (ages 13-18) at Mt Juliet High School
JULY 9-12: Legally Blonde Jr (ages 13-16) at GreenHill High School
JULY 16-19: Seussical Jr (ages 8 – 14) at Dynamic Black Box
JULY 23-26: Aristocats Kids (ages 5-12) at Dynamic Black Box
I also strongly believe in teaching our younger professional how to teach and to give them teaching and directing opportunities so that they can grow. I love all my teachers and directors and love this model.
In short, I love what I do. I love being with the students and love the passion they share for the stage. Mt Juliet is a special place with such talented hard working kids. I am thankful to be a small part of their lives and stories!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
At a Birds Eye view, it looks like a smooth road, but owning a business, collaborating with others and putting your whole self out there is hard. It is exhausting and thankless at times. I always wonder if I am making a difference, if there is something else I could be doing and how to go about doing it. There is always administrative duties to do, as well as billing, and social media, and research, and licensing, and the list goes on and on… and then I teach. So leaving time to teach and be with the students. Time is a thief and the day starts too early and ends too early (meaning I rarely get everything I need to get done). I am always surprised that it is already 10 pm! So I would say the struggle is time and energy. I need more of both!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I probably covered this all in the questions before, but I think that sets me apart is I am an opera singer, but I teach primarily the musical theater style. I love this because my training helps me know exactly what is happening with the voice. I teach a very classical approach to all styles, and believe that you can sing healthy in any vocal style.
Let’s see, what else? I also play the cello and am playing in the pit of a couple of our high school students’ musical this spring. That is a fun release from the teaching and admin side of this art form.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Starting out in the performing world (and as a business owner actually)…
– Keep going… talent is 10% and hard work is 90%
– Be consistent. Do something on your business EVERY DAY. And you (as a performer and artist) are a business.
– Do want YOU want to do. Sing what you want to sing. In business… don’t worry about what the next business or theater company is doing … do you and make your own brand.
Pricing:
- Spring Break Musical Theater Camp $225
- Summer Musical Theater Shows $225-$325
- Voice Lessons $120-$173 per month (weekly 30 min lessons)
- Dance Classes $55 a month per class
- Show Choir LIGHTS $85 per month
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @dynamic_bpa
- Facebook: Dynamic Ballroom and Performing Arts
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dynamicballroomperforminga8072?si=jkjkitMiziv9xUtd
