HOW DOES STUDYING DANCE HELP YOU BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN OTHER CAREERS?

How Does Studying Dance Help You Become Successful in Other Careers?

This month, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ashlee Baracy, an Emmy Award-winning meteorologist for WDIV, who grew up training as a dancer. Ashlee, a proud Metro Detroit native, is currently the face of the 4Warn Weather forecasts on weekday mornings at noon and streaming on Local4+. Over the course of her career, she’s been honored with awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors for "Best Weathercast."

Beyond her successful career in broadcasting, Ashlee is a loving mother of two. During her first pregnancy, she sparked a viral conversation about body positivity, sharing her personal experiences with body shaming. Her message reached headlines across major media outlets, including the New York Post, People Magazine, and the Today Show.

But perhaps most relevant to today’s conversation, Ashlee’s love of dance has shaped so much of who she is. From her childhood days in the studio to competing in pageants, including being crowned Miss Michigan 2008 and a top ten finalist in Miss America, dance has played a pivotal role in her life. Today, Ashlee uses the discipline, confidence, and skills she gained from her dance training to excel in her broadcasting career.

Ashlee holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, a Broadcast Meteorology Certification from Mississippi State University, and a Master of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University.

Anne Bak Marine: Ashlee, thank you for joining me today. I’m excited to dive into how your background in dance has helped shape your career. First, tell us about your dance journey. How did it all begin?

Ashlee Baracy: Thank you for having me! It all started when I was two years old. My mom saw me dancing around the house and thought, "I need to get this girl into a dance class." Little did she know what she was signing up for! From there, it just took off. I became a competitive dancer, training in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, musical theatre, and acro. I absolutely loved every aspect of it. Plus, I was always academically driven, a straight-A student, so balancing both dance and academics became my way of life.

As I got older, I had to decide between pursuing college and academics or diving into professional dance. Everyone’s path is different, and there's no right or wrong answer, but I decided to go the academic route at the University of Michigan. However, I didn’t completely give up on dance. When I saw the Michigan Dance Team performing at a football game, I thought, “Wait, I can do that!” So, I auditioned and made the team, dancing for the remaining three years of college. I also taught dance at a local studio. It was the perfect combination of academics and my passion for dance.

Anne Bak Marine: That’s amazing. So, how did you then get involved in the Miss America Organization? I know dance played a significant role in that part of your life.

Ashlee Baracy: Yes, absolutely. My family was going through some tough financial times, and a local dance teacher encouraged me to compete in the Miss America Organization. That decision ended up changing everything. Thanks to the scholarship opportunities, I was able to finish paying for my undergraduate degree and even put some toward my master's degree. Dance provided me with the foundation to pursue pageantry, which, in turn, helped me gain those scholarships. I’ll always be thankful for that!

Anne Bak Marine: You’ve clearly had an incredible journey from dance to pageants, and now to your successful broadcasting career. How has your background in dance helped you in this field?

Ashlee Baracy: It was actually a natural transition. Broadcasting, in many ways, is all about performance. There are days when you're not feeling your best, or maybe you're having a rough day, but the people watching don’t know that. They’re expecting to see positive energy, so you have to bring your A-game, even if you're not feeling it. The performance aspect of broadcasting is very much like being on stage.

Dance also gave me a level of confidence that has been essential in my career. It taught me how to perform with poise and how to communicate with my audience. Whether it’s in front of a camera or on a stage, I can tap into that confidence and carry it with me, no matter what the job requires.

Anne Bak Marine: Are there any specific skills you gained from dance that have contributed to your success today?

Ashlee Baracy: Without a doubt. Discipline is one of the biggest things dance taught me. Dance is all about honing your craft, and there’s a lot of time management involved. As a teenager, I was dancing six days a week while also keeping my grades up. It was just part of my routine. I had to make sure my homework was done before I went to dance class, and I took that responsibility seriously. That discipline carried over into everything I do now—whether it’s at work or in my personal life.

I also joke about my husband sometimes—he's the type to procrastinate a bit—and I’ll be like, "What are you doing? We need to get this done now!" I believe that sense of urgency comes from years of dancing and having that structure in my life. It really does translate to work and life as a whole.

Anne Bak Marine: Absolutely. I think that discipline and focus are such important qualities for success, no matter the field. And as a parent, you’re also giving back by instilling those same qualities in the next generation.

Ashlee Baracy: Yes, exactly! One of the greatest things about dance is that it’s not just about learning choreography or techniques. It’s about building self-confidence, discipline, focus, and a strong work ethic. Those qualities will help kids not only in their careers but in life. It’s about preparing them to be successful, healthy, and happy adults. If we have a generation of healthy, happy adults, we’ll have a much stronger society in the long run.

Anne Bak Marine: I couldn't agree more. And I think that’s such an important point to make—that even if a child doesn’t go on to become a professional dancer, the skills they gain from dance will set them up for success in so many other areas of life.

Ashlee Baracy: Exactly! I know that some parents might wonder if dance is worth the investment, especially if their child isn’t planning on becoming a professional dancer. But it absolutely is. Dance gives kids so much more than just physical skills—it builds character, confidence, and discipline, all of which are valuable in every aspect of life.

Anne Bak Marine: That’s a great takeaway. So, any final thoughts or words of wisdom to share?

Ashlee Baracy: I’ll always speak highly of dance—it was such a huge part of my childhood, and I’ll never outgrow that love for it. In fact, just this past weekend, I took my three-year-old daughter to see a Nutcracker performance by the ballet company I grew up with. It was amazing to watch her eyes light up as she experienced the magic of dance for the first time. Now, to see my children watching dance through their own lens—it’s just so special.

So, if anyone is on the fence about putting their child in an artistic class, especially dance, I just hope they don’t second-guess it. It truly is life-changing.

Anne Bak Marine: Thank you, Ashlee. Your words are so inspiring, and I know that many parents and dancers alike will benefit from hearing your story. We truly appreciate your time and insights today.

Ashlee Baracy: Thank you so much for having me. It’s been a pleasure!