Meet Tramaine Robinson of Leaps Beyond Studio in East

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tramaine Robinson.

I’ve been an admirer of the arts since I was a little girl. I always dreamed one day to sing, dance, and act on Broadway! Needless to say, that didn’t quite happen. I took steps towards my dream but never did I go beyond the limits that were surrounding me. I now realize the passion for performing was never lost. So, like the wise saying, “those who can’t…teach”. Teaching is what I did. Although, I never really liked this saying when I first heard it, I fully understand it. You see I’ve been an educator for nearly 15 years and I thought of it being such an inferior statement to teachers. Until the realization of it manifested itself in my life. I saw myself passionately pouring everything I knew and had into others . I enjoy coaching, teaching, and pushing others beyond their natural abilities. I saw myself investing time, money, and other resources that created gifted and talented performers.

You sometimes don’t realize the value of what you’re doing until someone pulls you to the side and say, “thank you and can I give you something in return for what you’ve done for us…” without drawing this out, needless to say my dream was yet activated again. I saw how maybe my dream of Broadway was a shared dream. So many have dreams, but so many people do not have others to invest, coach, and prepare them for what they are only hope to be a reality. Having someone tell you , “you can” , goes a long way. God’s plan for me to share these gifts he placed within me was inevitable. The love for dance always translated itself in other ways, even at my local church in the city of Conyers. Cultivation Church is minutes away from my dance studio. I was allowed a platform to develop my craft there before ever calling dance rehearsals at a dance studio. Many of my first students enrolled in my studio once I launched it came from my volunteered services. I think this is vital to my start up. I’m so thankful and humbled my gift made room for me.

Being a mother now to three little dancers/performers confirms the path I took to open a dance studio in the midst of a major life transition.  This transition allowed me to seek a where would my little performers have an outlet to experience real dance, and soon to come…theater and musicality instruction?

The birth of Leaps Beyond has been a safe haven for many dancers and their families. Respect is what I value most for my company of teachers and clients. Respect for all is my motto. Not one individual is insignificant. We aren’t the same so we learn the conformity of the art to make ourselves in sync.

We are growing and welcoming new people to join our company of performers everyday to increase visibility of art in our community and across states, and internationally. We all have the ability to leap and simply go beyond our own expectations and level up to be on Broadway or wherever your dream takes you. Maybe it’s joining a dance team, or landing a music video.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would say it has been a smooth road opening up my studio. It has been smooth because of the rock solid team I’m able to maintain. I have sought out skilled professional instructors and value the feedback of clients. We know how to make adjustments as needed. Maintaining an uncompromising vision is always the challenge of any business owner due to criticism. However, at the end of the day I have been able to share the art of dance/performance, and given a space to create for artists. To perform has been the most rewarding thing. Many doors have been opened for my company to perform in front of a wide audience range including state and local officials. We’ve received recognitions for many performances and all of it came with a lot of sweat and tears.

We’d love to hear more about the company.
My company is performance studio in which we cater to Liturgical, Ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and many more dance style instructions. We will expand in the area of musical theater, and musicianship as our performing studio adds on new classes in the fall. During this season of social distancing, COVID-19 has slowed down our timeline, but we are very hopeful to be a studio that believes and pushes performers to Leap Beyond. So, what sets us apart from other companies is our competitive drive and certainly values. We aren’t studio only performers.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was very outgoing. My parents made sure they showed my brothers and I they loved us and always cheered us on. They made a lot if sacrifices for us as teenage parents. I had to develop a strong outgoing personality trait rapidly because I seemed to always be the “new girl”. We moved around in Florida quite a few times before we settled in the Atlanta area.  I think having to readjust lead to me becoming such a great performer. Joining teams secured instant friendships. Even if I couldn’t do something I would cry and work hard behind the scenes until I got it. I remember the first time I tried out for my high schools majorette team, I made it as an alternate. The next year I made it as the top twelve.

It appeared that I was a natural in most things but actually I worked hard. My family structure is one that always fostered us to be driven. We didn’t have a lot of money or extra money to enroll me in acting classes or dance classes. I didn’t understand why my parents wouldn’t just sacrifice. It was not until I begin trying out for teams or auditioning for roles my parents began to make those investments. I was able to prove to them that this was something I really wanted. So, my dance instruction was mostly jazz , hip-hop , and smudge of ballet. Of course, hip-hop is what the neighbor kids were doing, but I was teased because it took me a little longer to get the steps then others. I can remember my uncle teasing me calling me, “Hillary” the character from the Fresh Prince of Bellair”. I was like,” whatever!”. I kept going and pursuing what made me happy. Performing takes grit. It’s easy to quit. Thankfully quitting isn’t in my DNA. There other girls like me and I’ve been so blessed to be able to see my journey through. I’ve been able to see what I only imagined to manifest itself in my life. I can’t wait to share more of what I’m working on behind the scenes in this new season of my life. So stay tuned I’m still working , growing , and using my gift to teach others to LEAP BEYOND!