Today we’d like to introduce you to Miller Daurey.
Hi Miller, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Born and raised in the valley (Van Nuys), I have found myself always pulled into some sort of creative journey. Whether it be dancing, acting or writing. The first, though, was dance. I would often win elementary school and junior high talent shows with self-choreographed dance performances — but it wasn’t until I was 14 that I took my first official dance class (at Debbie Reynolds Studio in North Hollywood, CA).
And within a few short years, I began to amass tremendous accomplishments within the dance world.
At 16, my sister and I were teen dance champions on TV’s Star Search (CBS), winning multiple times — landing in the finals, top 2, for the whole season.
At 17, I won 1st place in California’s most prestigious dance competition, the Music Center Spotlight Awards — where I performed solo on stage at The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (where the Academy Awards were held for 3 decades).
Around the same time, I was awarded (and accepted) a full scholarship to study at The Joffrey Ballet School in NYC by co-founder and Artistic Director Gerald Arpino.
After graduating from the Performing Arts Magnet at Van Nuys High School, I signed with a dance agent and booked several professional dance gigs (including a video with Paula Abdul, live stage show with Celine Dion, and numerous industrials & national TV commercials, etc.)
And then, at 19 years old, I quit dance and completely walked away from the art form.
Why?
Well, that’s just ONE of the things I’m exploring in my Return to Dance docuseries: Back To Great.
DANCE COMEBACK
Over the years, I have been consumed with the idea: is it possible to go back to something you were once great at and be great again?
So — 25 years after I left dance…
I quit my full-time salary job (with benefits and health insurance) and relocated to Studio City, CA, to fully realize my potential as a competitive dancer. And I’ve been documenting the process!
This last year, I completed Millennium Dance’s Certificate Program, signed with one of LA’s top dance agencies (Go 2 Talent) and my docuseries — Back To Great — premiered on YouTube in March of 2023.
Alright, 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?
No, definitely not easy! And that’s a good thing. I’m a believer that almost any outcome that proves worthwhile in life will have required some level of sacrifice, pain, difficulty and/or fierce determination.
A major challenge, for me, was simply experiencing how much dance has changed in the last 25+ years — in both art form and industry. Everything from how fast-paced so much choreography is today to new dance styles to filming in dance class (which was obviously not a thing before the advent of cell phones and social media). It was a lot for my brain and body to adapt to!
The pandemic proved a major obstacle in my Return to Dance journey. I began dancing in LA Jan/Feb of 2020 and then, as we all know, the world shut down. While several dance studios began to offer online dance classes, it was very challenging for me to learn in that capacity – via a tiny laptop screen, trying to study and learn choreography in my living room. I had to focus on what I could… staying in shape and improving upon my flexibility during the pandemic – so that when I returned to in-person classes (over 18 months later), I was, at the very least, fit and ready to train. Dancers are athletes, after all.
Also, I’ve had several injuries – ironically, not dance-related. In totality, these injuries set me back months and months.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
After I quit my full-time salary job, I did work remotely as a freelance copywriter and social media content creator. But to see my dance project live in the world, a few months ago, I quit all sources of employment. It was time to solely focus on working for myself and trusting in the Universe that my Return to Dance docuseries will reach and inspire many.
For the first time in my life – I am making my dreams a priority and investing in myself full-time.
What are your plans for the future?
I’ll let the Universe decide how my project impacts people and what unfolds with this dance comeback. That said, I do want to book professional dance gigs in TV/film.
However, my MAIN plan and hope is to inspire as many people as possible with my Return To Dance journey. It doesn’t have to be too late to return to something you once loved; something you were once were great at… and reignite that passion. That dream.
And if I can create a career out of that – however that looks – I’d be truly living in my purpose.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backtogreat/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BackToGreat
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.
com/@backtogreat
Image Credits
1) Star Search 1991, CBS 2) Millennium 3) Playground LA 4) vlogging immediately after dance class per doscuseries – documenting return to dance 5) YouTube thumbnail for Episode One 6) at the chiropractor re: injury 7) private lesson with choreographer, Kayla Janssen 8) LA Times headline/article after winning the Music Center Spotlight Award, 1992
