Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Crone.
Hi Victoria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up in small town Hamilton, I started dancing at Joy’s Dance Studio – located in a friend of the family’s basement. This is where my love of dance blossomed. I transitioned to a converted horse barn, also known as Carol Young’s School of Dance, when I was 10. CYSD (now Next Generation Dance) was and still is a family-owned and operated business where I found the full sense of a dance family and learned that you can make a career out of your passion! My instructors had done everything from being on the US Gymnastics team performed in Cirque Du Soleil, Cats the Musical, Radio City Rockettes, Starlight Express, and so much more. I knew this is what I wanted for myself. I graduated from the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati and unexpectedly worked in Reality TV on MTV’s ‘Taking the Stage.’ This opportunity granted me the invitation to move to LA following high school to study under some Hip Hop Icons. However, I quickly realized the commercial route wasn’t for me. I moved back home, joined a contemporary dance company in Cinci, and taught at a few local studios. Pursuing a passion as a career, especially one in the entertainment industry is not always as glamorous as one may think. I worked three “normal” jobs at the same time, which paid for training to be able to perform as a professional dancer.
Being there aren’t many performance opportunities in Cinci, I would have to travel to NYC or Chicago just to audition and be told “no.” However, persistency, commitment, and resilience will always bring a “yes”.
I landed my first cruise ship gig at 21 years old with Stiletto Entertainment on Holland America Cruise Line. I worked hard, continued to educate myself as well as my craft, and worked for RWS Entertainment Group out of NYC for many years. Through RWS Entertainment Group, I continued to perform on Holland America Line as a member of their dance company Step One and numerous workshops/pre-pros to develop new shows under the direction of many current Broadway choreographers.
Coming from a middle-class family, I never thought I’d travel much. Through dance, I’ve not only performed all over the world, but lived, taught, and worked in London, Belgium, and the US. I’ve stepped onto 5 out of 7 continents and gained so much respect for people of other cultures and walks of life. I’ve learned so much about the world through my experiences.
During the pandemic, my entire industry shut down and was the last to open back up. Due to the deficiency of performance jobs and not having a college degree, I was stuck. I sent out of 200 resumes applying for anything and everything that I knew I had to skills for, but without a degree, I “wasn’t qualified.”
Performers are adaptable! I moved 5 times during the pandemic, taught dance to students online in multiple countries, questioned my life numerous times, thought about going back to school, and stumbled into being a professional ballroom instructor and dancer. Ballroom is its own completely different technique. So, I basically had to unlearn most of what I knew for the last 25 years. With a heavy heart, I felt forced to transition out of performing but found a great love in teaching and choreographing. I have recently moved into a Show Director Role for Norwegian Cruise Line; I adjudicate dance competitions nationally and direct at Elevation Dance Academy. I use each of these positions as a source to share my passion with those who are just finding theirs in this industry. I believe by expanding the knowledge and love of the next generation, we will generate more creativity, love, respect, and unity amongst our artistic community.
Dance truly is a universal language!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think we all face challenges and obstacles in life based on so many factors. When I chose dance as my career, success didn’t mean making millions of dollars. Success to me was living through my passion daily and bringing joy through dance to those around me.
There are thousands of women in this industry that look just like me, are more technically sound, have better singing voices, etc., so I was told no a lot. Not to mention, the audition tours didn’t stop in Cincinnati… like ever. I would have to pay my way to the nearest audition and had to make tough choices.
Working multiple jobs to pay for the continuation of my training and to fly to auditions, on top of the normal life expenses, was difficult to balance, and most of the time, I just wasn’t able to audition or train. This leaves you wondering, ” What am I actually doing? Am I good enough? Is this a silly dream? Should I give up?” I had a severe case of imposter syndrome. I still struggle with knowing my worth and reflecting it and my credentials in my fees.
The pandemic was something that no one was prepared for. The entertainment industry was destroyed. For performers who feel so deeply and need an outlet to express ourselves and MOVE, it really hit many of us hard. I was lost for so long. I tried applying for any job I thought I was qualified for, and none of them were in my industry: personal assistant, social media content creator, nanny, online fitness instructor, operations manager, call centers. I felt like a flopping fish until some of the regulations were lifted.
This industry can be incredible beautiful, rewarding and take you all over, but you also miss a lot of life that happens at home while you’re gone. My grandmother, who was one of my favorite people, passed away while I was on a ship about to perform three shows. I had to hold back tears through each performance, I missed my brother’s wedding. I tore my hip labrum and pinched a nerve in my back at the front of the stage in the middle of a show. I have been dropped on my head during performances and have had injuries take me out for a week to 7 months.
There’s always challenges, but life doesn’t throw you anything you cannot handle.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What don’t I do? I feel like a crazy person when people ask me this. I still want to perform and have a dream of creating a cabaret burlesque (more vaudeville style) dance company that performs for corporate events.
I am the Company Director for Elevation Dance Academy. I run business operations, teach, choreograph, and manage the social media along with the absolute best team. Our students are my pride and joy.
I adjudicate dance competitions nationally for the Star Dance Alliance in the summer. I watch anywhere from 200-550 acts a weekend and give verbal critiques that are recorded for the dancers to listen to. This is not only where I get to share my knowledge of the industry and my passion with the younger generation, but I also get inspired by them. I am so grateful to be able to watch the creativity of my fellow artists.
I choreograph competitive routines for different studios around the US for their upcoming seasons. Each year I challenge myself to try new things and push my own creative limits.
And I recently became a Show Director for Norwegian Cruise Line. I teach the cast the show, take them to the ship, install the show with lights, tech, media, sound, costumes, sets, etc. And then I come home until the next cast has rehearsal.
I have been told I exude joy when I dance and teach, and I believe that. I feel the love oozing out of me, and I want everyone to feel what I feel. Seeing the faces of audience members light up when I take the stage or interact with them, sharing memories of when they were younger, knowing that not only am I giving but I am receiving every time I perform and teach, there’s nothing better.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I think that Cincinnati and Hamilton have truly grown in many ways in the last decade. I see a lot of positive growth and more acceptance amongst the community. I see more value being put into small businesses and showcasing the arts.
There still are and always be community members who are closed off to the idea of progression that doesn’t fit their narrative. This is all over though.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @victoriaa.crone
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoria.crone.71
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-crone-9b880b228
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VictoriaCrone/videos
