Community Highlights: Meet Sommore Terry of Creative Expressions Dance Academy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sommore Terry.

Hi Sommore, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
When I went to college at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, I never knew I’d come back home to Scotland County to grow my dream. That dream was to open my dance studio. This was when I opened Creative Expressions Dance Academy in downtown Laurinburg. The studio is located at 124 E. Cronly St. for dancers ages 3 to 18. Where our motto is “Where we express to inspire.” I have been dancing for 23 years with my former dance teacher Antonya Drakeford Windham. She used to own a dance studio downtown on the other side of Main Street, and it is completely mindblowing that I am now downtown across the street from where I used to dance.

I grew up with her, dancing all my life. I continued my dance career at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where I completed a minor in dance. I knew there was a reason to come back home. I was just unsure of what it was. I knew there was something I had to do back home, and I felt like it all had to start there. Creative Expressions Dance Academy offers tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop classes for children and adults. I want to impact all young dancers as my dance teacher did with me. I want to be able to teach them that there’s nothing you can’t do. Anything that you want to do, you can do. When we surround ourselves with like-minded people, make sure that everything we do is in a positive light, and ensure that our mind is set on our goals, nothing can stop us.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Anything we want and work hard to accomplish always takes work. So often, we focus on the things that break us but not how they mold us into something beautiful. I was blessed to have a wonderful mentor who assisted me in having a plan to grow my business. With God and my parents’ prayers, I can conquer what seems impossible.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Founded in 2022, Creative Expressions Dance Academy was created to allow dancers the opportunity to express themselves through movement. We aim to inspire others in all we do in and outside the studio. We make sure to support our students inside and outside of the studio. Academics are first and provide tutoring and studying sessions during class time closer to testing time. CEDA is a family.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is attending my dance recitals each year while being able to dress in different costumes for each song. I advanced quickly through dance and was able to compete nationally with our competitive team.

Pricing:

• 1 class is $50
• 2 classes are $100
• 3 classes are $125
• Registration is $45

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.creativeexpressionsdanceacademy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativeexpressionsdance_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativeexpressionsdanceacademy