Behind The Print: Stoking the Fire Between Dance as an Art and a Sport with South East Dance Academy
Welcome to the latest episode of Behind The Print, where we bring you the creative stories of industry leaders shaping the world of professional printing. In this episode of Behind the Print, we’re stepping into the vibrant world of performance, print, and passion with Taylor Wilson, co-director and instructor at South East Dance Academy in Wilmington, North Carolina. From her roots in a family-owned dance studio to creating impactful recital keepsakes, Taylor shares how she blends art, education, and entrepreneurship. We talk about the emotional power of choreography, the value of printed materials like end-of-year program books, and what it means to lead with love in a competitive space. Whether you’re a studio owner, educator, or creative business leader, this episode offers insight into how to turn memories into something lasting.
Below, you’ll find the transcript of our conversation, edited for clarity to ensure easy reading. If you want the full, authentic experience, make sure to check out the video attached below.
10-minute read
“So it is truly like the best way. I remember we’ve been doing a program book for as long as I can remember, and I have a stack of our program books and how they’ve evolved through the years.” Taylor Wilson, Co-Director at South East Dance Academy
Transcripts from Behind The Print with Taylor Wilson, Co-Director at South East Dance Academy
Welcome back to Behind The Print podcast, where we feature industry leaders and uncover the creative minds behind businesses in the professional printing world. Our mission is to provide you with inspiring, actionable resources to elevate your business projects and accelerate your journey to excellence in profit and print.
Today’s episode is Stoking the Fire Between Dance as an Art and a Sport, and I’m joined by South East Dance Academy co-director and instructor Taylor Wilson.
Zoe Fisher: Hey Taylor, how’s your day been?
Taylor Wilson: My day’s been great, thank you for asking.
“Dance is art, and art is in our society to say the things that are uncomfortable and to bring awareness and to portray messages to people that might not have that perspective or access to that perspective.” Taylor Wilson, Co-Director at South East Dance Academy
Zoe Fisher: Of course. I’m glad to hear that. Can you tell us a bit about Southeast Dance Academy and your role as co-director?
Taylor Wilson: Absolutely. South East Dance Academy is a family-owned dance studio in Wilmington, North Carolina. We’ve been in our current building since I was in fourth grade. Since we’re a family business, I did all of my informal dance training here growing up under my grandmother, Lynn Raley, who owns the studio. We started as two smaller businesses and eventually built our current location, merging everything into what is now Southeast Dance Academy. I now teach, co-direct the studio, assist our office manager, and direct our performing company.
Zoe Fisher: That’s awesome. What has dance meant in your own life, and how do your experiences show up in your choreography or teaching style?
Taylor Wilson: Dance has always been my outlet. It helps me express whatever season of life I’m in, whether that’s personal relationships or just navigating life. It’s healing and transformative. I believe dance is art, and art exists to say the hard things, bring awareness, and share perspectives. If someone sees my choreography and it resonates with their own story or opens their eyes to something new, then I’ve accomplished my goal.
Zoe Fisher: I love that, and I bet it inspires your younger students too.
Taylor Wilson: I hope so. I work with all ages, and for the little ones, dance helps them express feelings they don’t yet have words for. For older students, it gives them a safe outlet or helps them understand what someone else might be going through. It’s valuable across the board.
Zoe Fisher: How do you foster creativity and communication in a competitive space like dance?
Taylor Wilson: We’re a dance family first and foremost. We foster healthy competition in a positive way. If one student gets a new skill, their peers are naturally motivated to try too. It’s about teamwork and lifting each other up. We start that culture from day one. If one of us wins, we all win. And wins don’t always mean trophies. Sometimes it’s just finally nailing something you’ve worked on for months. We celebrate those moments together.
Zoe Fisher: That’s inspiring. What’s a moment in your career that reminded you why you do this work?
Taylor Wilson: One that stands out was when I taught an adult dance class in Chicago right before the pandemic. I was pretty young and unsure how to teach adults, but I came into it with love and authenticity. On the last day, one of the students gave me a beautiful letter thanking me, and it really showed me the impact of showing up with kindness. I still keep that letter in a keepsake box and look at it when I need a reminder of why I do this work.
“It brings our teams together… it’s a big deal. They’re in a magazine, like, so it’s worth it.” Taylor Wilson, Co-Director at South East Dance Academy
Zoe Fisher: That’s beautiful. You never know the mark you’re leaving. What about fundraising—how does your studio approach that?
Taylor Wilson: We fundraise primarily for our competitive teams through our 501(c)(3) booster club. The club organizes fundraisers and distributes the proceeds among participating students. It’s completely separate from our main business, and the directors aren’t involved in the club’s finances. The funds go toward covering costs like entry fees and team meals, and they really help bring our teams together.
Zoe Fisher: Tell me about your printed materials. Are there any your dancers especially love?
Taylor Wilson: Our most loved item is definitely our end-of-year program book. It features ads purchased by families—everything from baby ballerinas to graduating seniors. We’ve done these books for years, and people collect them like memory albums. We also do a raffle for the cover photo, which gets everyone excited. The book is given to every recital participant, and it’s something they can keep forever. It’s more lasting than a t-shirt because it captures their growth in pictures.
“You can outgrow a t-shirt… there’s just a difference in pictures and it’s all saved right here in this book.” Taylor Wilson, Co-Director at South East Dance Academy
Zoe Fisher: That sounds so special. Any advice for others looking to create something similar?
Taylor Wilson: Start early. Make a plan and stick to it. Be clear about deadlines for ads and materials. Have someone on your team design the pages and work with a trusted partner for the cover. Review the book thoroughly before printing. Allow room for learning. There’s always going to be something you didn’t catch. But it’s 100% worth the effort. Our goal is to make something beautiful and timely that families will treasure. When they hold that book in their hands before the show, it all comes together.
Zoe Fisher: I love that, and the inside design really shows how much work you all put in. So if you had a totally free day, how would you spend it?
Taylor Wilson: I’d spend it with my family. That’s part of why I moved back to Wilmington. I’ve got my parents, grandparents, siblings, husband, and son here. On a day off, we’ll go for coffee, hang out at the beach, or just relax together. I try to avoid a to-do list when I can and just enjoy the people I love.
Zoe Fisher: That’s so sweet. Where can our listeners follow along with you and South East Dance Academy?
Taylor Wilson: We’re on Facebook, Instagram, and our website. We just redesigned our site to better reflect our studio culture. We also post end-of-year concert videos, slideshows with parent-submitted photos, and updates from our competitions and conventions.
Zoe Fisher: Amazing. Thank you so much for joining us and sharing more about the
Taylor Wilson: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure.
“It reminded me that the work we do in the studio transfers into the webs of the rest of the world and how we see things and approach things, and I just never had thought of my teaching to be impactful in the way in which it impacted him.” Taylor Wilson, Co-Director at South East Dance Academy
Zoe Fisher: Amazing. Everyone, be sure to check out this incredible dance academy. It’s truly amazing!
That’s a wrap on another episode of Behind The Print. Thanks to our listeners for joining us as we explore the artistry and innovation of the printing world. Remember, have a strong vision, build the right strategy, and use tools like print to amplify your message and make your brand stand out.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, be sure to get your sample pack today from PrintingCenterUSA.com and share it with your fellow business enthusiasts. Until next time, keep your creative sparks flying, and remember, there’s always more to discover behind the print.
Where Dance Meets Design
From shaping young artists to creating keepsakes that capture years of growth, Taylor Wilson and the team at South East Dance Academy are turning movement into memory. Through beautifully crafted program books and heartfelt storytelling, they show how print can preserve the magic of performance and build community across generations. Whether you’re publishing recital programs, team yearbooks, or creative marketing materials, you can bring your own story to life with high-quality printing that celebrates every step of the journey. Order today!
