With Greg Miller, founder of Dance Parade New York, joining SBC as a guest, it felt fitting to ask him about those who want to work in the arts but deem it an unreliable career path–even when they know it’s their calling. On Saturday, May 16, Dance Parade New York–widely regarded as the state’s largest dance festival–will celebrate its 20th anniversary with hundreds of dance organizations and more than 10,000 dancers.
“If you really have a calling, don’t give up,” the former Fortune 500 executive says over Zoom. “You don’t have to make money from it. A lot of people feel like they need this identity as a working artist. But if you love something, get a job in the daytime and do your art at night. That’s what I did with the corporate stuff early on. You can do a lot to still be in touch with the art that you love. Networking is really important. Go to art shows, meet people, tell them about your art. Amplifying your work through your channels is really important.”
Dance Parade New York kicks off its ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 AM on West 17th Street and Avenue of the Americas, alongside the esteemed Grand Marshals: Joan Myers Brown, Timmy Regisford, Christine Jowers and Jeff Selby—who are being honored for their outstanding accomplishments in the field of dance.
At noon, the dancers will showcase an array of genres from African, South American, Asian, and European traditions, alongside urban styles such as Majorette, Voguing, Breaking, Popping, and House as well as partner dances like Lindy Hop, Ballroom, Salsa, Hustle and Swing. The theme for the two-decade long event is The Beat Goes On.
Check out the full conversation to learn more about Miller including the inspiration for Dance Parade New York, his thoughts on dancing, some of the trials and tribulations of dance, how his background in corporate benefits him as a leader in dance, and plenty more.