Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Souto
Hi Amanda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started dancing when I was just 2 years old. From a young age, I found a passion not only for dancing but for creating as well. As I got older, I began to take it more seriously and started competing. In high school, I took it a step further by teaching and choreographing, which opened up new avenues for me.
Dancing became such a big part of my life that I continued it throughout college and law school. Along the way, I was fortunate to receive multiple awards and recognitions for my work. The journey has been incredibly fulfilling, and each step has taught me so much about discipline, creativity, and perseverance.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The challenges really began during my undergraduate years, where I had to learn how to balance a heavy course load with my growing responsibilities as a teacher and choreographer. It was an intense period, but through trial and error, I managed to develop a schedule that allowed me to excel in both my studies and my passion for dance. Learning time management was crucial, and I had to make sacrifices, but the love I had for teaching and choreographing always kept me motivated.
However, the real test came when I entered law school. Nearly everyone around me, including professors, peers, and even family, told me I wouldn’t be able to handle the demands of being a full-time law student while continuing to teach and choreograph. They saw the intensity of law school as something that couldn’t be balanced with a creative pursuit like dance. I faced a lot of doubt and skepticism, but I was determined to prove them wrong.
The first year of law school was the hardest. I had to meticulously organize my time and energy to ensure I was fully committed to both my legal studies and my dance commitments. There were countless late nights, early mornings, and moments where I felt like giving up. But I knew that dance was a part of me that I couldn’t let go of, no matter how tough the road became.
Against the odds, I managed to do both. I graduated law school successfully, all while continuing to pursue my passion for teaching and choreographing. It wasn’t an easy journey, but it’s one that taught me resilience, determination, and how to trust in my abilities even when others doubted me. Looking back, those struggles made me stronger, and I’m proud of how I was able to defy expectations and stay true to both of my passions.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a dance teacher, choreographer, and a recent law school graduate. My passion lies in teaching my students that it’s possible to pursue both an education and their passion simultaneously. I work a full-time job at a law office from 9-5, and then I spend my evenings, from 6-9, teaching and choreographing at a dance studio. On weekends, I continue working at the studio, teaching private lessons and setting choreography for schools and studios.
Although my workload is demanding, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Dance is my passion, and my goal is to inspire my students to never give up on their dreams—no matter what those dreams might be. I want to show them that they don’t have to choose between their passions and their education; they can succeed in both.
Some of my proudest accomplishments include graduating from law school, being named Coach of the Year at my studio, and winning Choreographer of the Year at a national competition. However, my greatest accomplishment is when my students tell me they’ve chosen to pursue both an education after high school and continue their dance career because of my example. That’s what drives me every day—knowing I’ve inspired others to follow their passions and break the mold.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
COVID-19 truly tested me, as it did for so many others. During the pandemic, I was in the middle of applying for law school, taking the LSAT, and graduating from undergrad—all while continuing to teach dance classes via Zoom. It was a challenging time, not only for me but for my students as well. Like so many kids, my students struggled to maintain their passion for dance when everything moved online. Keeping them engaged while also trying to keep myself motivated amidst all the uncertainty was one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced.
However, I believe that difficult times often teach the most valuable lessons. Navigating through that period made me a stronger teacher, student, and person. I learned the importance of adaptability, patience, and resilience—both for myself and for my students. It pushed me to be more creative in how I connected with them and kept them excited about dance, even when we couldn’t be in the studio together. Looking back, I’m proud of how we all grew through that experience, and it ultimately made me more grateful for the power of passion and perseverance.
Pricing:
- private dance lessons: $80 an hour
- tutoring: $80 an hour
- choreography cleaning
- choreography base price: $450
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ms.amanda.dance/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ms.amanda.dance
Image Credits
jaylopezdancephotographer
