Dance Student Spotlight: Lexi Mauk

My name is Lexi Mauk, and I am 11 years old. I dance at Top Flight Dance Center.

@lexi.michelle_dancer

Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.

I have been dancing since I was 3 years old. And I made the switch to a serious ballet and modern focused studio (Top Flight Dance Center) at the age of 8. I absolutely love ballet and modern, and my dream is to become a principal dancer for a ballet company (SAB would be my top choice!). I was just accepted into the SAB Junior Session for this summer, and I could not be more excited!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?

Things have definitely not been easy for me. It took a long time for me to start doing well at competitions and being recognized at conventions. And I was often discouraged thinking that everyone else was better than me and that no one thought I was good enough.

Has anybody ever tried to limit you on what you could do? If so how did you fight it?

At my first dance studio, I didn't feel like all of the teachers believed in me - they seemed to think that I couldn't handle critiques. So they gave the impression that it was my fault that I wasn't progressing. That was when I decided to change to a new dance studio and ended up at Top Flight.

How do you conquer negative talk?

I think the most negative talk I encounter is my own negative thoughts. I am a perfectionist, and I am very hard on myself. My mom is constantly telling me to take it easy on myself and that no one is perfect.

What is your favorite quote?

"I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday." - Jose N. Harris

So, what’s next? Any big plans?

We have our big conservatory show coming up this weekend, which I'm super excited for friends and family to see. I still have several team conventions coming up this season, which I'm looking forward to. I'm also traveling to Chicago for Hollywood Vibe (last year, I was named Junior Regional Dancer of the Year in Houston), and I'm very excited for that. And of course, the SAB Junior Session, which I literally can't wait for!! I also just went en pointe about a month ago, and I am absolutely loving doing more and more with that as well.