Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Jackson.
Morgan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Born and raised in Birmingham, AL, Morgan A Jackson’s love for dance was evident at a very young age. Growing up in the church, she was first introduced to liturgical and African dance but sought out for more. Years later, after training in classical ballet, jazz, hip hop, African and modern dance under Jacqueline Lockhart, she decided to obtain her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from the University of Alabama.
At the University of Alabama, Morgan worked under the direction of Cornelius Carter, Rita Snyder, Lawrence Jackson, and Sarah Barry. She focused mostly on jazz and ballet as her primary styles but also trained in musical theatre, After only one year, she was selected as a counselor for the American Ballet Theater summer intensive and also received scholarships for her participation in 2013. Throughout the next two years, she was awarded two scholarships from Alabama power as well as the Meredith ward memorial scholarship for her work in the dance department.
While studying at The University of Alabama, Morgan was selected as a member of the Alabama repertory dance theatre in 2013 and excelled in the company. She was a featured soloist in “Continuum” by Lawrence Jackson in the fall of 2014 as well as demi-soloist in “Paquita’, restaged by Rita Snyder, in the fall of 2015. Morgan was also very involved in student organizations, including Dance Alabama where she choreographed her first works of her own: “The Shattered Mind”, “Hypnotic”, and “PSALM 23:6”. She was also a featured soloist in the spring of 2016 in “until next Time” choreographed by Bria Tyner.
Post Graduation, Morgan was offered a contract with Disney Cruise Lines as well as The Atlanta Dance Connection. She chose to continue her training with The Atlanta Dance Connection and has been a principal artist in the company since 2017. In 2018 she was appointed Dance Director at Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta, GA, where she also coaches the viral Raiderette Dance Team. In her spare time, she is constantly taking classes throughout the city of Atlanta to continue her growth and knowledge about her craft.
In 2020 Morgan launched her first business endeavor, MJ ACTIVE, an athleisure wear brand specializing in quality materials anyone would be comfortable being “active” in. MJ ACTIVE will cater to women, men, and children and provide athleisure wear items, leotards, swimwear, hats, and eventually shoes and cosmetics. The brand is designed for any and everyone and is shaped around the “get up and do something” mindset. No matter what your craft is, you will find items through MJ ACTIVE to make you look up to the part. 10 % of all proceeds go to Morgan’s Non-Profit Charity, Daughters for Dance.
Morgan’s plans to continue evolving include obtaining both an MFA and Doctoral degree in Dance and Choreography; and to continue pouring into the youth in the Atlanta Public School System. She also plans to expand her choreography worldwide and work in both the concert and commercial areas of dance and performance. She will continue to work as operating CEO of Morgan A Jackson LLC. and design luxury athleisure wear. In addition, Morgan hopes to grow her Charity and provide scholarships to inner-city girls with a passion for the arts to be able to train them in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop and African.
She hopes that this opportunity will shape young dancers who may not have had the opportunity without the support and enable them with the ability to audition and gain scholarships to college. She also envisions Daughters For Dance to have a facility with several studios, a media and fitness center, and a healthy snack bar. She wants to be able to cater to both professionals in the industry by providing more job opportunities for them while simultaneously training up the youth.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I must say that it has not been a smooth road and I still have many goals that I have not yet attained. Two weeks before graduating from The University of Alabama, I was offered an eight-month contract with Disney Cruise Lines and at the time that was my dream job so I was overwhelmed with joy. But within four hours, it was taken away because of a costume change and I would no longer fit the role. I’ve made it through the end of several auditions and never got a callback, so at times it gets discouraging. Honestly, what saved me was my passion not to give up and I truly believe that if you have a plan b, you’re making space for plan A to fail.
So my advice to anyone struggling with their journey is to never give up. Stay strong on the path to success and working towards your goals. Eliminate people in your circle that don’t work as hard as you and don’t play it safe. Be willing to risk it all, make that move or just doing something you may not have normally done. I literally moved to Atlanta with one month’s rent, a job making $11 an hr as a hotel receptionist, and a dream to make it. In one month I had a job where I could actually take care of myself, from there it was about 6-7 months before I got a salaried job in dance, but I was training consistently the entire time and made sure to keep my website and portfolio up to date.
You have to stay ready so when the time comes, you are prepared to show yourself in your best light. God knows the desires of your heart and will give them to you as long as you are working towards them. You also have to be a person of your word and honor your commitments. Building good relationships truly helps because many times it is about who you know and the impact you may have had on them.
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
I am a professional dancer, choreographer and instructor. I specialize in Ballet and Jazz technique but can also perform and teach Hip Hop, Modern, Tap, and African Dance. Currently, I am employed by the Atlanta Public School System as the Dance Director at Benjamin Elijah Mays High School, where I also coach the Viral Raiderette Dance team. (@_mhsraiderettes) I own my own business, Morgan A Jackson LLC. and my services include website design, business card design, choreography and performance, teaching, and athleisure wear. Daughters for Dance is a non-profit organization that I founded to fund dancers with a passion for the arts, but unfortunately lacking support, to take classes and enhance their skills as well making them college and career ready.
I am most proud of my work with my kids here at Mays. I did not realize how influential I was until I got here. I know that I serve as a role model for my students and I take pride in that. Being able to showcase the talent my students possess be it at a pep rally, sag event, spring concert, or football game; I am honored everyday to share the gift of dance with them. Seeing how something so small and often overlooked can change lives and build lifelong bonds are experiences that I will treasure forever.
Honestly, what sets me apart is my drive. I just will not settle until I am satisfied but the issue is, I always feel like I can do more. I always want to know how can I reach more people? How can I grow as an educator? How can I grow as an artist? What tools do I need to push myself to the next level? And with me being only 25, I am the youngest dance teacher in APS and produce a great quality program each and every time. It’s because I will not accept anything but greatness from my students. My boss says I’m passionate and I couldn’t have said it any better myself. And although some days are harder than others, everyday is an experience for us to take away the good, and leave/learn from the bad, so we can try again the next day.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I feel that the biggest barrier today to female leadership in my industry is lack of preparation. I believe that’s what is for you will not miss you as long as you are prepared to receive it.
Pricing:
- Website Design $200
- Business Cards $75
- Hourly Rate $60
- Atheleisure Wear $25-60
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.morganajackson.com
- Phone: 2052139534
- Email: morganajackson.booking@gmail.com
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/morganajackson
Image Credit:
Neely Townes
The Tuscaloosa News
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