Meet Symone Williams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Symone Williams.

Symone, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I quit my jobs, packed up my car, and made the 2,700 mile drive cross-country, leaving behind everything and everyone I knew and loved, in the pursuit of my wildest dreams. Of course, that’s not where my story starts, but choosing me was one the hardest, most terrifying, world-altering, and BEST decisions I’ve made to date. Though it has not been a short nor easy road up until this point, I still feel like I am just getting started. But, let’s back up a bit.

I fell in love with dance when I was 7. After expressing an interest in dance and taking weekend classes with my cousin at a local dance studio, my parents signed me up for an audition for the Washington Redskins’ all-star dance team, completely unaware of the deep affinity that would soon develop within me for the art form. With little technique and a lot of heart, I made the team and spent six years with them, training, understudying, performing, competing, and building meaningful relationships within and beyond dance.

Despite the many long nights, missed outings with friends, sweat, pain, and tears that I endured during my time with the team, I decided that I couldn’t end my relationship with dance there. I accepted a TA position with my high school dance teacher and began looking into college dance programs. The “No’s” that people warn you about in this industry quickly became the bane of my existence as 3 out of the four colleges I set my sights on declined to offer me admission for dance. I began to think that my dreams of becoming a professional dancer would remain just that.. dreams. However, my 4th and final option saw otherwise (thankfully!). Not only did they offer me admission, but also a full academic scholarship through their artist scholar program. Four years later, I graduated with a B.A. in Dance and K-12 education certificate.

After graduation, I spent a few years managing an outreach program, teaching at an elementary-middle school, and coaching the very team I began with. As much I loved my students and sharing my love of dance with them, I came to the realization that in many ways, I had been neglecting my initial goal of becoming a working professional dancer and entertainer. I vowed that my greatest lesson would be taught best through me showing them that with hard work, perseverance, and dedication, Anything Is Possible. Which leads me to where I am now.. living in Los Angeles, learning from and training with the best in the industry, performing on platforms that were once a figment of my imagination, and marking some major things off of my ever-evolving and seemingly endless list of goals.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? Ha! I learned very early that a willingness to sacrifice and outwork my peers would be my best bet in making things happen. When I started, I was far from being the most talented in the room, but my hunger for growth and love for dance made up for that in many ways. I spent years learning dances in the back of the room that I’d never get to perform. Felt my heart break a little after opening each letter from a college that began with “We regret to inform you…” Watched peers receive opportunities and accolades that I could’ve sworn had my name written all over. Slept on floors, worked 3-4 odd jobs at one time for months, got cut from auditions, lost friends, missed important family occasions, fought depression, allowed my belief in self to waiver, and so much more. I know there are more “No’s” to come, obstacles I will have to overcome, and tears that I will cry. But I also know it will all be worth it. I just remind myself that there is a lesson to be learned in every situation that will make me stronger, smarter, and more prepared for all the things I have my sights set on. No one ever said it would be easy, right?

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a professional dancer, personal assistant, and social media manager. I pride myself on being honest in my interactions with myself and others and being an avid seeker of knowledge by remaining a student at all times. I spend everyday working to become a stronger, more versatile dancer, a reliable professional and friend, and a better human being overall. The perfectionist in me urges that I do all that I can to bring value to every relationship I develop, set that I step on, and space that I occupy. I am not afraid to work for what I want, admit when I fall short, and to take risks because I believe that that is where the true reward lies.

I am most proud of the fact that I have not let hard times stop me, and choose to focus on the silver lining, regardless of how slim it may seem at times. I am extremely grateful for everything from the breath in my body, to the palm trees outside of my window, and the ability to go after my dreams another day. At the end of it all, if I have inspired one person to believe in themselves and their ability to manifest all of their heart’s desires, then I have done my job.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I have accomplished some awesome things in my career so far, but my proudest moments have definitely been performing with Burna Boy at Coachella, and dancing on a TV show called All American.

The opportunity to perform at Coachella came when I least expected it. My confidence had taken a major hit from an injury I wasn’t sure I’d ever truly recover from. (In hindsight, I feel a bit dramatic in saying that, but it was my first dance-related injury and it occurred relatively shortly after leaving all forms of security behind to chase after this crazy dream of mine.) After a last minute change of plans, an early morning “wyd?” text message with little detail to follow, and me running out of a side job in the middle of my shift to catch a ride, I found myself on the main stage dancing next to the African Giant! To this day all I can say is, wow. Thanks Antoine!

All American gave me the ability to share what I have been up to with my family, some who have never seen me dance or have not in years. Receiving “I saw you!” texts and phone calls from my parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends, all scattered on the opposite coast, really felt special. On set, I learned so much from the cast (shoutout to my Motivating Excellence fam) and the crew, that opened my eyes up to even more possibilities and definitely lengthened my list of goals a little more. Thank you Rhapsody & Nicco!

Contact Info:

• Email: symonewilldance@gmail.com

Image Credit:
Michaela Todara (@michaelatodarocreative); Sanaa Abstrakt (@sanaabstrakt_art)

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