"I’ve been dancing ever since I was a little girl. But college seemed like the natural order of things, so I went to Michigan State and got my bachelor's degree in education. After that I taught for five years in Detroit public schools. I enjoyed teaching. But I always knew that I wanted to be dancing full time. On the weekends I’d perform in off-Broadway shows and little showcases. I was also dancing for the Detroit Lions. But they didn’t even let us dance on the field. ... We had our own little section in the stands. I had friends who’d skipped college and focused entirely on dancing. Some of them got jobs with major artists, and I started seeing them on TV. I wanted that life. But I knew it would require leaving Detroit. And I just wasn’t ready. But then came the Beyoncé Formation World Tour. June 14th, 2016. Ford Field. I was sitting just above ground level-- stage right. And there was this moment during the song ‘Freedom,’ where all the dancers were dancing in water, and it was so beautiful. I just remember sitting down in my seat, and thinking: ‘I can do this.’ The following Monday I told my boss that I’d be moving to New York. I’ve been here for almost a year now. I’m tutoring and teaching to pay the rent. I was hoping to have a manager or agent by now, but it’s so competitive. I’ve been to auditions with 400 people competing for five slots. And everyone is so talented that the distinctions become so small: your body type, what you wear, how you wear your hair. Things can seem out of your control. But I’ve had some success. I danced at the Ladies of Hip Hop Festival. I’ve gotten to final callbacks for Lion King, Mean Girls, Cats, and Motown the Musical. So I know I have the talent. I know that I’m close. It’s like a carrot dangling in front of me. This year my goal is to have one significant performance. And my ultimate goal is to dance on a world tour. With any major artist-- especially Beyoncé."