Rising Stars: Meet Destiny Hale-Jennings of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Destiny Hale-Jennings.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My dance journey started with watching my older sister dance around the house to music I’ve never heard before which was both K-POP and J-POP music. I always admired how hard she worked and how much she practiced to the point where I began following in her footsteps. We soon started dancing together, which led us to performing side by side in numerous events. Local performances turned into dance recitals and very quickly turned into stadium performances in Seoul, South Korea for various K-POP programs between 2015-2017.

Life continued and as all adults know, became much more difficult to continue our journey together. I continued to dance through my high school and college years with many amazing dancers and choreographers. I’ve trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. Unfortunately with the pandemic spreading so quickly, my college path ended quickly and I had to get back to a normal life. I began teaching soon after I left and continued dancing on the side. I am now extremely blessed to be a working professional dancer in Atlanta and I only hope that my journey continues and is as bright as I envision it to be.

Through various trials and tribulations, I’ve learned so much from teaching in different environments and learning from so many other dancers/choreographers. I’m currently teaching Hip Hop Heels, and K-POP in Lawrenceville, Georgia at BLCK SWAN Studio. I’m grateful for all I’ve endured, good or unpleasant, in the 6 years I’ve been teaching and I’m blessed to be surrounded by so much love and support. My time of being a student is continuous and I love being able to step down every now and then and be the one to take in the information in stead of give it. I truly am living in the best of both worlds and I love what I do!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely was not a smooth road! Dancers have only one instrument, and that’s our bodies! Not only do we have to physically take care of it to avoid injuries and maintain looks for specific jobs/needs, we also have to fight through the constant mental and physical back and forth of “Am I enough?”. I always tell my students that dance is not only physical, but mental! Your mind controls a lot of what you do and say.

Being kind to your body is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself from burning out, lacking confidence, and growing continuously. It’s easier said than done but there’s never been an easy way to do it. Doing things scared and afraid has been the hardest task for me but doing it has made me a much stronger person with a huge amount of courage. Life throws challenges that I feel I can’t handle sometimes and within dance, it gets very hard to pick myself back up. It’s a mental/emotional game when you really dive into what it truly means to you.

I unfortunately have had to leave many amazing students due to work environments that I no longer could continue thriving in. Despite any moments that left me feeling betrayed, overlooked, unappreciated, or unworthy, I’ve always reminded myself that I am stronger than my pain and my thoughts. I’ve worked extremely hard to pull myself out of dark moments that almost led me to quitting dance altogether and never turning back. I am my biggest critic but I also HAVE to be my biggest cheerleader. If I stopped loving myself and what I’m passionate in, throughout all of my hardships and struggles, I wouldn’t be able to continue doing what I’m doing for myself and others.

I strive to build safe spaces for dancers of all levels, builds, and ages! The dance community cannot grow and thrive off of negativity or disingenuous actions. If dance is an expression, then that expression should be one that touches other people in a way that makes them want to rejoice and connect with one another.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently teach Hip Hop, Heels, and K-POP classes! It all started out with me at home on my parent’s computer learning any dance I could find! I considered myself “self-taught” until the age of 13, where I began taking Hip Hop and Jazz classes in Buford, Georgia.

I’m known for my intense performance quality, cleanliness, retention, and attention to detail. I push those elements extremely hard because you MUST be able to multi-task as a dancer.

I’m extremely proud of myself for sticking to my dreams and choosing what’s best for me and my future. I was extremely lucky to be able to book my first major performance with Kat Graham, Humanitarian and singer, for the FIFA World Cup (Fan Festival).

The skill I’m proud of myself for gaining and continuing to perfect is how I command a stage and draw people into my performance as soon as I begin dancing. Growing up, I never really noticed how quickly I can flip a switch and grab the audiences attention. Something in me just fires up once the music starts and I don’t even know what’s happening anymore. My goal is to give the best performance I can while also continuing to be myself and not shy away from the spotlight, even when it can get nerve-wrecking.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck has played, surprisingly, a great part in my life. I don’t always see it as luck though. If I worked hard enough for it and I receive what I’m dreaming of, then that’s my work ethic showing itself and what I earned. I purposely go into opportunities with no expectations. If what’s mine is meant for me, it will come for me. If it’s not meant to be a part of my journey, then only time will tell for the next opportunity. The fruits of my labor will show themselves, but I have to show up first.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dance_dhj