Today we’d like to introduce you to Margot Harris.
Hi Margot, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always had an interest in the administrative side of the dance world. As a young dancer, I would go to ballet intensives during the summer. One summer, I got a chance to chat with the executive director of the ballet company. I loved listening to her talk about her job and everything that she did for the company. When it came to deciding on a degree in college, I knew I wanted to keep dancing but I also wanted to learn how to manage a dance company or program. There wasn’t an Arts Administration degree in GA at the time, so created my own “degree” by majoring in Dance and Business Administration at Kennesaw State University. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that keeps companies going. I wanted to learn how to understand the business world so I could best support the dance world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
#cancersucks I was in the last year of my Dance degree. I had one more class to take to finish my Dance degree. Then I would be able to finish my business degree in the next year 2018. After fainting in the middle of a mall, being rushed to a hospital, and lot of blood work, I was diagnosed with cancer right before Christmas of 2016. I had to get a bone marrow transplant to keep the cancer from coming back.
Me being the stubborn person I am, I still wanted to finish my dance degree in 2017 like I had planned. I couldn’t choreograph for my Senior Project like I originally planned. I decided to sew a classical ballet tutu (which was way more intense than I expected as someone who had intermediate sewing skills at the time!). I managed to finish it in the two months before I got my transplant. Thanks to many wonderful people at Kennesaw State University, I was able to walk for my dance degree 60 days after transplant (shhh…don’t tell my doctor). I was also able to finish my Business administration degree in 2018 like I had planned.
Interesting note, at the end of February of 2020, my oncologists and I “broke up”. He said, “I love you, but I never want to see you again.” This meant I was healthy enough to not have to see them anymore. Woo Whoo!
Two weeks later, the world shut down because of covid. Suddenly everyone had to do what I had to do while in recovery (Wear a mask, stay home, stay distanced from people, etc.). I think it was the worlds way of telling me “Let still be careful”.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m the office manager for Kennesaw State University’s Dance Department. I love being able to work where I got my own dance degree. As Office Manager, I get to dabble in everything, from enrollment to marketing to finance. Since I went through the program myself, I am able to better understand what students are going through and how I can better help their experience. I get to work with amazing faculty and artists from all over the world. Having a dance and business education helps me see projects and goals as an artist and as a businesswoman. I feel that some people don’t like the business side of running a dance program but I see it as a way to spread our passion for the art. If the business side can appear as effortless as the dancers on stage, that means we are successful.
I love teaching ballet, mostly to children (I find them the most inspiring). I found a love for sewing in my free time (as a result of making a Tutu for my senior project). I love making costumes for dance and for cosplay. I also teach yoga, I became certified after it helped me regain my balance during my recovery.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
While I do still dance semi-professionally, I work full-time as an Office Manager. I’m more interested in supporting other artists and helping them grow!
As a cancer survivor, I encourage everyone to support people fighting cancer to donate blood and platelets. It truly saves a lives. It saved mine.
Image Credits:
Last photo – Etowah Valley Yoga
Margot Harris
