This week I am so excited to share another dancers journey to becoming a Disney Cast Member! Marissa is an incredibly talented dancer that I had the pleasure of getting to watch perform and grow up on the stage. She is beautiful inside and out and has quite the career for being so young. Some of you may recognize her from Dallas Cowboy’s Cheerleaders: Making the Team or just seeing her on the field but now days she’s hanging out in Disney World! To protect the magic, we will not be talking directly about Marissa’s role in Disney Entertainment. Let’s get going and let Marissa tell us all about how she danced her way to Disney!
Meet Marissa!
Marissa is from North Carolina and comes from a family of six! She is the oldest and only girl with three younger brothers. Her mom, Barbie is an incredible dance teacher and owns a studio where she shapes lots of young dancers. I know Marissa from dance competitions and conventions that both our studio’s attended and have had the pleasure of watching her dance since she was little. I have watched her win titles, take risks in her solos and always put herself out there. I remember her always being the kid backstage cheering everyone else on, no matter what studio they were from or if they were her competition or not. She has a heart of gold and it has always shown. But let’s let Marissa tell us about herself:
How long have you been dancing?
I had my first dance recital at less than a year old and was enrolled into my first dance classes the following season! Basically, as soon as I could walk, I was dancing.
Tell us about where you grew up dancing.
My mother opened up her own dance studio, Barbie’s Encore Dance Productions in NC, at age 22. I am currently 22 and it fascinates me that my mother was a business owner at this age. I trained my entire life at her dance studio under her training, as well as other amazing teachers who were also trained by my mother. I am trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Clogging, Contemporary, Modern, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Pointe! I also added on extra ballet training from the time I was 8 until I was 15 at Gaston Dance Theatre. I’m forever grateful for the incredible teachers and mentors I have in my life.
Where did you go after graduating?
Following graduation, I studied Dance Theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC on scholarship. I loved my time at AMDA, even though it was brief due to Covid-19.
What was dancing in NYC like?
It was amazing. Getting to live in the most incredible city in the world for entertainment was a dream. I loved getting to learn directly from industry professionals who have had tons of success on Broadway stages, television, touring companies and movies. I not only was able to further my dance training, but also my vocal and acting training as well.
What came next, after NYC?
When Covid-19 hit NYC, I moved back to NC and spent a couple months with my family. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders announced while I was in quarantine that they would be holding virtual auditions and I jumped on the opportunity. being 18, I did not have high expectations for myself to make this team the first time around. I knew it would probably take years of trying to make this dream a reality. However, god had other plans and decided that this was my time. So, at freshly 19 years old, I became a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader during a global pandemic.
What was it like being on a reality TV show?
It was truly an eye-opening experience. I have so much respect and understanding now for people who have gone through a reality TV show experience. It is challenging to have a huge chapter of your life broadcasted for the world to see. While it was a little scary at times, it’s so rewarding to have this huge moment in my life documented forever that I can share with my future children.
How much did you love dancing for the Cowboy’s?
Getting to perform with the most well-known NFL cheer team in the world was an absolute honor. I had the opportunity to dance all over America, as well as perform back-up for many incredible artists: Luke Combs, The Jonas Brothers, Kane Brown, Lauren Alaina and Alan Jackson. I will forever be grateful for the experience, the amazing friendships and the life-lessons learned from being one of America’s Sweethearts.
What made you decide to leave Dallas?
During my time with the Cowboys, I unfortunately suffered a traumatic hip injury due to overuse from performing the famous jump split. After having laurel tear and hip impingement repair, I decided it would be best to retire from the Cowboys and put my health first. I want to have a long and healthy dance career, so I felt that recovering and putting myself back into doing jump splits wouldn’t be a wise decision. I knew it was time to pursue another dream.
Do you think you will ever go back?
As a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, no due to the likelihood of re-injuring myself. However, I love what the organization stands for and would be honored to contribute to the DCC in some way. Whether it be choreographing, helping with auditions or even becoming a part of their staff, I would love to be a part of something later in life that played such a huge part in who I am today.
How did you end up at Disney?
While I was recovering from my hip surgery, I immediately started doing research for Disney and what their audition process looks like. I noticed that many auditions were coming up and made plans to travel to Florida for an in-person audition.
How long have you loved Disney?
I have dreamed of working for Disney since I was 8 years old and realized that’s something a person could do. I love the company very much. The stories have changed my life for the better and some of my favorite memories have been at Walt Disney World with my family, friends and fiancé.
Had you ever performed in Disney before?
When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to perform twice down Main Street USA with Dance the Magic during their Holiday Spectacular. The experiences truly solidified that this was something I so desperately wanted to do as a career.
What are you up to in Disney?
The most wonderful part about working Full-Time in Entertainment at Walt Disney World is getting the opportunity to perform in each the parks. I have loved getting to live out my wildest dreams and cannot wait to hopefully make more magic for years to come.
What has been your favorite part of working in Disney so far?
Definitely getting to make magic with some of the most incredibly talented and kind people I’ve ever met. And of course, working at the happiest place on Earth itself is a dream in itself.
If people want to hear more about your story where can they find you?
One of the best ways to learn more about my dance journey is to listen to my podcast with my mother entitled “Life in the Pink House and Beyond” streaming on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!
Tell me more about the podcast!
My mom and I chat about the dance industry, studio owning and operating, family, life, performing professionally and more! (It’s a lot of fun y’all!!)
What advice do you have for other dancers wanting to start a professional career?
Work hard and never give up on your dreams. Remember, with 100 “no’s” comes one “yes”. Timing is everything. Just keep pushing forward and remember that what is meant for you won’t pass you by.
Finally, what has been your favorite moment working at Disney so far?
Definitely my favorite moment so far was getting to take a picture in front of the castle for the first time after getting the job. it was such a surreal moment realizing that one of your biggest dreams is now a reality.
Conclusion
I want to say a huge thank you to Marissa for sharing all of this with us this week! Like I said, heart of gold! I have had so much fun following along on her journey since she graduated, she is definitely an inspiration to other young dancers wanting to start a career. You should definitely go check out Life in the Pink House and Beyond, Marissa and Barbie both have great stories and are just fun to listen to!
I hope you enjoyed this weeks post! It makes me so happy to see these dancers I have watched since they were small now start living out their dance dreams. And of course it makes me extra happy when they end up in Disney World! As always, thank you for being here and making every Thursday the best day ever! Have a magical day!