Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Shepherd.
Hi Donna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
For about a decade, I traveled from city to city, teaching and choreographing on students all over the US and Australia. It was an incredible chapter, a blur of airport terminals and new rehearsal spaces, and it allowed me to hone my craft by working with countless diverse groups of students. But the relentless pace of living out of a suitcase, even at that high level, eventually started to wear thin. I needed a new creative challenge and a place to truly settle down and push myself in a different way. That place, I decided, was New York City.
I packed my bags and traded the Orange County sunshine for the concrete intensity of Manhattan. I dove headfirst into the commercial side of the industry, and through sheer persistence and the reputation I had built, I landed one of the biggest opportunities of my career: working on the Broadway show, Finding Neverland. The work was thrilling and demanding—the precision, the endless refinement, and the incredible, collaborative energy of creating something world-class on a Broadway stage. I was surrounded by top-tier artists, and it was, without a doubt, the pinnacle of professional success in my field.
But amidst the glitter and demanding schedules, I began to feel a familiar tug back to my roots. I realized that my truest, deepest passion wasn’t in perfecting the final product on stage, but in shaping the potential that came before it. I missed the energy I felt when I was taking a promising new student and watching them transform, lesson by lesson, into a confident, disciplined dancer. That feeling was more fulfilling than any curtain call. The decision crystallized: I wanted to step away from the commercial world and devote my life to working with kids again—to mentor young artists, and to create a nurturing, yet highly professional, environment where their passion could truly flourish.
I knew exactly the kind of studio I wanted to build—one that blended the high expectations and discipline I learned from my travels and my time in NYC, with the genuine care and personal attention I knew young students needed to thrive. So, I returned home to Orange County, not just to open a business, but to build a creative sanctuary and a family. And that is how my studio came to be.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I opened the doors in July 2019 with the most humbling number of students possible: zero. It took relentless work, but the momentum was incredible. The reputation I had built internationally and the high expectations I brought to every class quickly resonated with the community. Enrollment was fast approaching the 100-student mark—a huge milestone for a new business—when the unthinkable happened.
The arrival of COVID-19 was a devastating blow. Literally overnight, the energy, collaboration, and physical space that defined our purpose vanished. It was terrifying. But we rallied. We pivoted immediately, moving all classes online and teaching from spare rooms and makeshift home studios. The support from our families was monumental, and through their trust and our own stubborn commitment, we were able to survive that storm and keep our community connected.
When we were finally able to return to the studio, the business didn’t just recover—it thrived. The challenges of the pandemic had forged a deeper bond with our students and reinforced the value of our dedication. The growth became exponential, and soon, our cozy, boutique 3,000-square-foot retail location couldn’t contain our ambition or our enrollment numbers. This past year, we took the monumental leap to secure and retrofit a massive 8,000-square-foot commercial warehouse, which is now our new, permanent home. It’s a testament to the hard work and passion of every dancer who walked through our doors, proving that even the roughest starts can lead to the grandest stages.
We’ve been impressed with Creative Outlet Performing Arts Center, 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?
What readers should know about our organization is that we are not just a dance studio; we are a pre-professional training ground for young artists and athletes. Everything we do is built on the philosophy established during my decade of international travel and my experience in New York: High expectations, deeply rooted in personal mentorship.
What truly sets us apart is the unique blend of environment and expertise. Most studios are either highly competitive and impersonal, or they are warm but lack rigor. We successfully bridge that gap. We offer “Broadway-caliber” training and choreography in a compassionate, nurturing atmosphere. We are tough, but we are devoted, and that combination is rare.
Furthermore, the recent expansion into our 8,000-square-foot commercial warehouse reflects our commitment to providing world-class facilities. This space allows us to offer specialized training rooms, dedicated stretching areas, and room for our dancers to safely and ambitiously grow.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I don’t have time for that. I’m a mom to two beautiful girls (4yrs & 6mo)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.creativeoutletpac.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativeoutletpac/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativeoutletpac
