Today we’d like to introduce you to Eve Mason.
Hi Eve, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where I began taking dance at age two from a local dance studio. Being a part of a close-knit dance community is one of the things I really loved growing up. The older girls were so supportive of the younger dancers. I really looked up to them and knew that one day, it would be my responsibility to pass on that support. I feel fortunate that I have remained close friends with many of my classmates from those days.
We experienced all the trials and joys of studying together at the studio and wouldn’t trade a day of that for anything. After high school, I attended Webster University, where I earned my BFA in Dance and Choreography as well as my Masters in Business Management and Leadership. While at Webster, I benefited from amazing professors who took the time to understand me on a personal level. I was also introduced to Concert Dance (which is known in the dance world as “company work”) and immediately fell in love. If you have never seen concert dance or watched dance companies perform live, I highly recommend taking in a show when circumstances allow for normal activities to resume. Receiving my Master’s degree through a specialized business program at Webster and broadening my horizons within the world of dance was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, despite requiring me to maintain a very full schedule. For those four years, I certainly had my hands full, working several jobs, keeping up with dance and business coursework, rehearsing, and writing my thesis. Family has always played a central role in my life. My family appreciates spending time at home or on an adventure! One of our favorite ways to enjoy a break together is gold panning. A fancy resort or hotel may have its charms, but nothing compares to the exhilaration of finding buried treasure!
In fact, I just went panning a couple of weeks ago with my husband, my sister, and her boyfriend. My dad is a geologist, and mom and dad’s house is filled with crystals, fossils, and minerals, so each year, my sisters and I try to find my dad an unusual specimen. Last year we got him a real dinosaur egg fossil! My parents encouraged my sisters and I to pursue a variety of experiences in life. They taught us to work for what we wanted, join school clubs, and to have as many friends outside the world of dance as inside of it. Perhaps one of the most valuable lessons they imparted to us by example: that a life that does not include giving back is not a life well-lived. These experiences are what have guided me, both personally and professionally. After I graduated college, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a professional dance career.
In my first few years in LA, I was able to work on MTV’s MADE as a MADE Coach, Disney’s Glowfest, Disney Jr.’s Choo- Choo Soul Tour, America’s Got Talent, Major League Baseball’s All Star Game with Cee-Lo Green, Playboy Jazz Festival with Shelia E., Nike Industrials, Mexican Billboard Awards, and a Wii Zumba Video Game, to name a few. I’ve also had the opportunity to act as the Assistant as well as the Assistant Choreographer on many projects, including Jennifer Lopez’s 2013 American Music Awards performance, Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull’s performance at the American Billboard Music Awards in 2014, the Mexican Billboard Awards, the Latin American Music Awards, Princess Cruise Lines, and various TV commercials.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As anyone knows who is in the entertainment industry, there are times when life does not follow the path you initially choose for yourself. My initial goal after college was not to pursue dance in Los Angeles, but rather to move to Chicago to pursue dance in a concert aspect (meaning dance companies). That changed when I saw an ad on a website for an audition in Los Angeles. Without an agent, I decided to fly to LA and audition. I ended up booking the job. I changed my plans entirely and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a professional dance career in the commercial industry. Unfortunately, funding for the job got pulled after I moved, and all of the dancers were let go. Though devastated at the time, I decided to work harder and dig deeper for opportunity now that I was there. This strategy led me to working various jobs in LA to make ends meet while still pursuing dance. Everything was fair game—coffee shops, temp agencies, restaurants (the setting in which I eventually met my husband), production companies, and various teaching positions at several different dance studios. By the way, my husband, Shawn O’Malley is the absolute best! He is so supportive of all my efforts—he is my rock!
We’ve been impressed with Velocity Dance Convention, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
While dancing professionally, I was encouraged by some of my mentors to start my own dance convention. Dance Conventions are something I did throughout my entire childhood and into my teenage years. These conventions are what sparked my passion to pursue dance as a career. I knew that such an enormous undertaking would be a challenge, but I believed that I could make a real difference in the lives of young dancers. After numerous meetings with investors, I decided to go for it! I began Velocity Dance Convention at the age of 25 with my current business partner, Cory Jones. Velocity is now a National Touring Dance Convention that offers master dance classes, a competition portion, and scholarship opportunities to dance studios and students across the country. Cory and I grew up dancing together at the same studio, and we both knew that we wanted to show upcoming dancers that each path to be “successful” in the dance industry is different for everyone.
This is why Velocity Dance Convention also offers college seminars, personal development seminars with trained professionals, as well as resources to charitable organizations for any dancer who is interested. It is important to me that dancers who attend these type of conventions understand that not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to opportunities to gain professional experience and working with charities that specifically focus on helping those in need either in our dance community or out of it is extremely valuable. Currently, we work with Dance Hope Cure, an organization that brings awareness to the lack of federal funding for childhood cancer. Dance Hope Cure is a campaign by the Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation that combines the art of dance with childhood cancer awareness and advocacy. With the support of Velocity Dance Convention, Dance Hope Cure funds less toxic therapies for children with cancer so they can have a better quality of life as they battle the disease.
Over 375 Velocity Dance Convention dancers have become Dance Hope Cure ambassadors over the last four years. These dedicated dancers and their parents help manage their social media campaigns, host fundraisers, send care packages, and perform special tribute videos for cancer fighters. I couldn’t be more proud of our affiliation with Dance Hope Cure and dancers who support the cause. Although starting Velocity was never in my plans and has not been an easy journey (especially in 2020), I have embraced the notion that dreams can change, and what is best for you might appear as an opportunity when you least expect it. Velocity has enabled me to connect with fascinating people from all sorts of backgrounds all around the country; from dance teachers, company directors, parents and students to amazing master dance teachers. Each person, be they a dance teacher, company director, parent, or student is unique and adds to my life story in a positive way.
What’s next?
Now that I am 35, my husband and I are planning to start our own family in the near future. I don’t think that I will ever be able to not be career-oriented, but I am excited to explore a more family-focused life with kids and all that entails. Velocity will continue to inspire students both on and off the dance floor. I am looking forward to seeing what comes next for them! As far as new career ventures, I have ideas for non-profits in other industries that I would like to attempt. I am currently on the board of directors for a non-profit organization that is set up to raise awareness and build a coalition to exempt the dance industry from AB5. Ensuring that dance is affordable, equitable, and accessible to all is something I am extremely passionate about. Who knows where I will end up career-wise, but I am willing to listen to any opportunity that comes knocking!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.velocitydanceconvention.com
- Instagram: velocitydanceconvention (business) or evemason (personal)
- Facebook: Velocity Dance Convention Inc.
Image Credits
Ceventpics Ginger Sole Photography
