Today we’d like to introduce you to Danika Pramik-Holdaway.
Hi Danika, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I remember my first day at the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet very clearly. It was 20 years ago, and I had just moved to San Diego from the East Coast. I had just begun my professional ballet career dancing with a small company in Pittsburgh, and had also worked as a ballet instructor and arts administrator, which I was starting to learn was something I had a knack for and really enjoyed. I had made the decision to move to San Diego (I am a California native, and felt like it was time to get back to my coast). As I pursued professional dance jobs, I had gotten a job as an instructor teaching Saturday morning ballet classes – I was not very familiar with Balboa Park, so I parked on the opposite side of the park near the Alcazar Garden, nearly a 10 minute walk from our studios. As I made the trek down El Prado to our building, I was immediately inspired by the immense beauty of Balboa Park – I could barely believe that I was lucky enough to teach ballet classes in such a unique and stunning place. As I became immersed in our program, it was hard not to fall in love with this school, and little by little I started to take on more teaching, and was invited to choreography my first, full-length ballet, “Cinderella,” for our students. 20-years later, we are once again bringing this very same ballet to the stage, and now in my position as Artistic Director, I can look back and remember the journey that it took to get to this place. The beauty of Balboa Park still excites me every day as I walk into our dance studios, and I feel grateful to have found my home.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Having been with the same organization for 20-years, I have of course gone through many challenges. In the beginning, I knew that our program had the potential to grow, but growth often means change, and change can be hard. I had to work to help our families and staff understand that some changes can be good – earning the trust of my students, their parents, and my fellow teachers was an important step to help make important changes that led to a stronger ballet program. To this day, I value the trust that our community puts in me, and take this responsibility very seriously.
Having this much responsibility as a leader of an organization is also a big challenge, and can be heavy at times. I try to lead by example, and work every day to ensure that our students have a positive environment to learn and thrive in. My goal is to share my love of ballet, and help students discover their passion for dancing (or whatever it is that they discover they are passionate about). I hope to accomplish this goal with honesty, an ability to listen, and by maintaining the values of our organization.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I studied ballet since the age of five, and knew that I wanted to have a career in this field from an early age. I danced professionally after majoring in dance in college, finishing my last four years dancing with the San Diego Ballet. While dancing professionally, I taught for several arts programs. I also worked as an administrator for these schools, and even helped establish a brand new music and dance program for kids. I found that I enjoyed developing programs and curriculums, and could use my academic skills in the field of arts administration. Becoming the Artistic Director of the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet was the ultimate blend of creative and cerebral, and I find that the balance of jumping back and forth from the dance studio to administrative tasks and meetings helps me stay focused and efficient. I absolutely love working with our students, teaching classes, choreographing, and directing performances, but I also thrive on the challenge of overseeing a large ballet school, and keeping things organized and smooth-running. I am proud of the program that I worked to establish so many years ago, and I feel lucky to have found a challenging yet invigorating career.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Working with a small, tight-knit staff, I would say that we all know each other pretty well… One thing that people do learn about me pretty quickly and like to joke about is my hyper-competitiveness. I love games and competitions, and even in a fun, relaxed setting where it really doesn’t matter who wins, I am always striving to come out on top!
I also find it very funny that often my younger students are surprised that I have children of my own! I have a 14-year old son and an 11-year old daughter, and when I’m not focusing on ballet, my husband and I can often be found out on the field supporting our kids at sporting events – I am not only a ballet lover, I am also a soccer/baseball mom!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sdcyb.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdcyballet/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sdcyballet/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SDCYBallet
