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Stephanie Baker did not wait long to pursue her natural talent. She was 3 years old when she started dancing. As far back as she can remember, dance has been an integral part of her life.
"My mother had a dance studio on the ground level of our house," she says. "It wasn't unusual for me to set the dining table, run downstairs to help out in the studio, then come back up to finish dinner."
While growing up in Cedar City, Utah, she competed for Ms. Drill Team U.S.A. She won both the coveted state and national titles. Driven by her accomplishments, she went on to teach dance and drill camps across the country and even opened up her own dance studio.
At age 33, she decided to attend college to obtain her dance performance degree.
As a dance choreographer, Stephanie has worked with people of all ages, community dance performance recitals and major productions.
Currently, Baker is the director of dance for Gymcats, a gymnastics and dance facility in Henderson, Nev. As a dance instructor, she is able to combine her love for dance and children. In addition to overseeing the program, she teaches between 11 and 16 dance classes per week and coordinates all the details surrounding seasonal recitals, from making costume decisions for her class to choreographing dance performances for kids as young as 2.
"For most of these children, taking my dance class is their first social experience," says Baker. "So I teach them manners and social skills just as much as I teach them dance and movement. They'll remember me as the one who not only taught dance, but wiped their noses."
If you're interested in a career in dance, Baker recommends that you take classes and enroll at a university. She also recommends seeking opportunities to teach during school to become familiar with giving instruction, which is crucial in choreography.
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This article is provided by The Next Step Magazine, a publication that helps students prepare for life after high school. Visit them at nextSTEPmag.com
