We had the good fortune of connecting with Belinda Richardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Belinda, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is a scary thing that involves an element of danger, there’s a potential loss of something that you won’t have control over. However, risk-taking is inherent in entrepreneurship and projects that you’re passionate about. There are a lot of small strategic risks that I take in running my business, such as: restructuring our tuition prices to stay cost-competitive, making small investments for the studio, or developing new approaches to teaching. I’ve found that it’s important to discuss big descions with my team of instructors, their input is extremely valuable in my descion making.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Over time, my work has been creating a platform for art-making through dance. Dance is a universal language that can bring happiness, clarity, enlightenment, and physical health benefits. No matter the age or level of ability, I provide my students with the “tools” and techniques to express themselves creatively and dance with intention.

I’ve studied dance and performed most of my life. I was trained in various styles ranging from classical ballet to flamenco and even belly-dancing. In my early 20s, I taught at local gyms and as a certifited Zumba instructor, then soon moved into dance studios and began teaching classical forms of dance. It was a bit daunting at first because there was no prior training, so I figured things out by trial and error. It wasn’t easy transitioning from adults to children, other factors now included; scheduled bathroom breaks, separation anxiety from parents, short attention spans, and learning how to keep kids engaged for the entire hour. I discovered that younger students responded to story-telling through movement and music they could identify with, while older students flourished with discipline and reward. However, the main lesson I learned was: patience is key!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Dallas Arboretum would be an ideal place to spend the afternoon (especially during the spring/summer months). What better way to stay connected to nature and be inspired by one of the world’s most beautiful gardens! A Dallas staple for the best margaritas and delicious Tex-Mex is Mi Cocina – there are several locations throughout the city but my favorite is the one in Lakewood for the decor/ambiance. I would book tickets to see a show at the AT&T Performing Arts Center – they always feature great local and international dance companies. Take a stroll in the Dallas Arts District and check out an exhibit at one of the museums. There are a ton of great shops and restaurants in the Bishop Arts District – one of my favorite spots is Salaryman, they have the best ramen in town. The Botanist is an excellent brunch spot with great cocktails.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a special thanks to my teachers who remain uplifting and resilient when times get hard, now more than ever. Their passion for dance and enthusiasm radiates in class, even across our computer screens and TV monitors. I couldn’t run my business without their support. They are not only teachers but multitalented performing artists, therapists, business women, and just wonderful human-beings. Thank you: Ms. Brittany, Ms. Zay, Ms. Kayleigh, and Ms. Rachel… you guys rock!

Website: www.prestonhollowdance.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/phdance/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phdance
Yelp: preston hollow dance

Image Credits
All photos are by Bryce Richardson