Instructor Spotlight, Stacey Slichter

 Never let your fear speak for you!

We all know Miss Stacey as NADA's talented, sought after instructor but she is so much more dynamic than that and the depths of her passion for dance take her beyond the classroom walls in myriad ways.

While she is an accomplished and seasoned dancer in her own right, she never stops stretching herself to new heights.

For example, Stacey has been working with the esteemed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater since 2006 when she was asked to teach a one week summer session for its company dancers. That parlayed into a tremendous opportunity to teach each summer at the theater's New York studios. Now each year when AADT travels to Atlanta, they reach out to Stacey to serve as a guest instructor. And in fact, Stacey just finished a session with their dancers.

As a professional dancer for over 20 years, it is always nice to surround yourself with other professionals who have persevered through this art form. Also, I have been drawn to this amazing company since I was 10 years old. At that young age I instantly fell in love with the company’s athleticism and artistry. I think the best opportunity of all though, has been the friendships I have made with some of the dancers in the company.

For Stacey, art is constantly moving, changing shape and growing. It is her steadfast belief there is "no room for complacency" in this art form. Therefore constantly challenging herself and pushing beyond her comfort zone is what makes her such a force on stage and in the classroom.

Instructors, as well as dancers, need to always explore outside their comfort zones. This is where the true creativity and mastery are found. Teachers are still students. We are always learning, always discovering, always adapting.

You might question how these experiences with other dance theaters benefit NADT. For Stacey it is all about setting an example. When she was first asked to guest teach in 2006, despite having a long and impressive resume, she nearly allowed nerves to get the best of her; she nearly turned it down. A mentor encouraged her saying she would always regret giving into her fears of failure.

 I heard her words and knew she was right! I can’t imagine the what ifs if I had let my fear get in the way. To this day, I feel the fear and do it anyway. It’s the only way for an artist to thrive.