Founder of Muse Conservatory Dance, Mekaylah Gilbert is an entrepreneur classically trained in more than six genres of dance. She opened Muse Conservatory Dance at 19 years old with a mission to equip young people with the lessons necessary to becoming a well-rounded dancer. At Muse, the motto is “The Determination makes the dancer”, and Mekaylah encourages all of our students to never give up on anything that may come their way.
Mekaylah Gilbert
Company: Muse Conservatory of Dance
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Title: Co-owner/Director/Head Instructor
How many years have you been in Nashville? I’m a unicorn, so I was born and raised in Nashville!
Tell us what you are creating in Nashville? I created a space, Muse Conservatory of Dance, a fast-growing female, and black-owned dance company intentional about exposing black and brown dancers to proper training in a safe, supportive environment. Our target audience is any student desiring to learn an appreciation for dance. Our dancers are classically trained in more than five genres of dance. While our regular classes are focused on students ages 2-18, we also offer specialty classes that help adults reconnect with their bodies and movement in fun modalities, such as birthday parties, fitness classes, girl’s night out events, or pop-up classes!
What inspires you? My inspiration or as I call them, my blessings, are my dancers. The first word in my company name is “muse” and a muse is quite literally an inspiration. They are my muse and the reason I work so hard to make Muse an inviting and supportive environment. I started my business at 19 years old with nothing but the inspiration of three dancers at the time, passion, and a ton of fear. I used that inspiration from those three young ladies and started to build a company that currently trains over 30 dancers.
Coffee, lunch, brunch, or happy hour? I am definitely a brunch girl! I love the lightness and airy feeling brunch brings to the day. It’s also the best of both worlds, breakfast, and lunch, you can’t beat that!
Describe Nashville in 3 words ? Growth. Opportunity. Eclectic.
Favorite Nashville musician, singer or artist? Dolly Parton of course! I admire everything she is about, from her women empowerment to the initiative she takes with the youth.
What is your favorite Nashville spot you are digging right now? I am loving Centennial Park! The freshness, cleanliness, and architecture are my favorite characteristics of the park. I love to take a stroll through the park, do my workouts, picnic with friends, or admire various people on random days. It’s such a Nashville staple that will never go out of style.
Follow Muse Conservatory of Dance on IG/FB: @musecdance
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