Meet Keisa Parrish | Dance & Wellness Educator & Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Keisa Parrish and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keisa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’m a classically trained professional dancer with a BFA in dance from Fordham University, a Wellness and Dance educator, a former Radio City Rockette and a single mother. I have been all of our clients. I was the teen dancer who had no idea how to leverage my talents to help pay for college, or choose a different school that better suited my choices and goals for my life or to skip college altogether and begin working professionally. So I became the college student who graduated $50,000 in debt with a BFA in Dance and no support or guidance from my college on how to get out in the real world, make a living and chase my dreams. And as a single mother, living in a fast paced city, I needed many jobs to support me and my child while I still pursued my dreams. So I know what it’s like to be busy, stressed, and so inundated with work obligations, home responsibilities and social invitations that you do not realize how much stress is negatively affecting your health.

What should our readers know about your business?
We teach teen dancers to leverage their talents in dance to succeed artistically, academically and professionally no matter what their career path. We organize and develop dance programs, curriculum and syllabi for businesses and teachers. And we are passionate about teaching Stress Alleviation for busy women in the form of fitness, meditation and mindfulness. I’ve been doing this work for over 17 years, but just recently doing it for myself,. We teach our clients the skills and tools needed to create their best life through informative and relatable Performing Arts and Wellness programs. I truly believe, and am also an example of, when we know better we do better. And in order to learn to do better it takes a village to share knowledge, resources and show compassion! I want to be a part of that village for others.
It has not been easy. I’ve had to adjust twice, once for the pandemic and then again when the world opened up. What I’ve been working on is letting the discipline take over for the days when motivation is low. Not every day do I feel like I’m making a difference, so I’ve put daily and weekly task in place that keep me moving forward to get our name and what we do, out into the world. And there are days I want to quit. But then I remember how much I needed this info and how once I had it, it changed everything for me. So I want the world to know that I can help you be your best by simply helping you use what you have to get what you want.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well I’m hoping it would be in June, when the weather is nice. Our first stop would be Harvest on Hudson. Farm to table food with an amazing view of the river, New Jersey and NYC in the distance. And that deserves its own evening to eat slowly, sip wine and take in the stunning view. We would night cap at the silent disco thats The next day we would start our day, walking with some coffee and a snack thru central park to may favorite spots, Conservatory Waters, Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Fountain, The Great Lawn and exit to enjoy one of the many concerts in part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center. We definitely have to take a tour of Radio City, being a former Radio City Rockette and all, and I love the history and stories of the building. Chelsea market for some L’arte del Gelato (amazing flavors) and a walk on the Highline is a must to take in the sunset and sailboats in the harbor. Maybe a late night slice and sit on the TDF’s TKTS steps in Time Square to people watch. the many characters galavanting thru. And maybe our last day will be spent taking a trapeze class at the South Street Seaport. The view from the top rope is exhilarating and the crowd that gathers to watch is always cheering you on when its your turn to swing. Ending the trip with some great Indian food from one of the restaurants on east village and an after dinner walk thru the West village to possibly get a tattoo or piercing at Andromada Piercing. 😉

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It takes a village to raise a kid and develop into a fully functioning adult, just as much as it does to grow a business and build a dream. Having support, support of any kind is EVERYTHING! Thank you to, who I affectionately call, my “Board of Directors.” They have helped transform me. My friend Tolson who not only mentions my name is rooms I’m not even standing in, but refers me to circles that challenge me to learn and grow and has helped talk me through about 18 rounds of rate adjustments that reflect my worth. Randi, Brook & Mamaji who reads through a lot of my late nite creations then help edit esthetics, verbiage, spelling, and unnecessary information so that it makes sense and is appealing to the eye. They continue to pour their love and support into me to keep me moving forward. My Auntie Tancy who lets me talk her ear off about ALL my ideas and lets me send her hundreds and hundreds of versions of those ideas, even though it’s really not her thing. She keeps me fabulous and walking in FAITH as I pray that I am making my Granny (Luebirta) proud. And to my mom, Mama Dietzel (Kaleonani) who also reads through my ideas with an eagle eye and always gives it to me straight no chaser. She continuously reminds me that I do in fact know what I’m talking about and am on the right path of teaching what’s right. She encourages me to speak my truth, and know my worth!

Website: www.luekaleo.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/keisaparrish

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keisa-parrish-80316a55/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKmjbVonRwra3zrz3mVSdqg

Image Credits
Chrissy Carter