Life & Work with Sha Mclean of Downtown Raleigh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sha Mclean

Sha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I moved to Raleigh from Virginia Beach, Va in 2015 to attend Shaw University. After arriving to North Carolina, I joined several dance teams to find my style and place to grow as a dancer. I found that with Chaos Dance company, directed by Paula Dorsey. Eventually becoming Lead choreographer, Captain, and finally Coach by 2021. My personal dance career began to blossom, allowing me amazing opportunities to choreograph projects for amazing local artist from VA and NC, as well as a few celebrities. Eventually deciding to take a leap and teach adult dance classes in Raleigh, while simultaneously trying to submit myself into the modeling scene here. After having faith I began to see both careers grow and I am extremely blessed and grateful for that. I would love to say hard work and dedication is ‘how I got here’. The real reason is support. I have the most phenomenal support system. I have family, friends and a wife who guides me to be the best me, even if I may not feel that way in the moment.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Pursing multiple careers can be the biggest struggle for me. Especially in a growing city like Raleigh sometimes people can put you in a box. Some people know me as Sha ‘the dancer’ or Sha ‘the model’. Taking people out that mindset, while trying to brand myself into overall Sha ‘the entertainer’ was my biggest struggle. I had those moments where people just really didn’t know what I did or what my goal was. My bookings began to slow down. Which in turn had me questioning my own goals and aspirations.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am Raleigh’s Next Top Choreographer and Model! I am well versed in multiple styles of choreography but specialize in hiphop, majorette and modern dance. I am known for my Adult Twerk/Hiphop dance classes and events. I also help teach adult Sexy flow/heel classes with my partner Key Drayton. I have had many amazing opportunities from Videos, brand photoshoots and billboards but I am most proud getting the opportunity to dance on the millennium tour for a night. Some people forget 1 night can change your entire outlook on how you keep pushing forward in whatever field you are in. Being on stage and/or seeing my Choreography being performed by anyone makes me the proudest. I love to mix styles and energies when creating with any other artist. Dancing and modeling is a way to express my emotions and tell a story through movement rather than words. A tool that I use in my everyday life. I try to enter room with my energy first. My bright, fun, confident personality will get me remembered in any setting. I lead with a smile and perform with a force!

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Networking in Raleigh is key! Making sure you are out in the scene and building personal and professional bonds is number one in my industry. There are a lot of social events, so making sure you’re up to date with events and showing up as your best self will always be what is best. I’m Never afraid to walk up and insert myself respectfully to ask questions. I Greet everyone with a smile, you never know who is in the room. I do everything to the best of my ability because perfection doesn’t exist. There is always room for improvement, so I don’t dwell. I redo and outdo myself the next time.

Pricing:

• • Private Dance classes (Birthday, Bridal showers, girls night etc) (refreshments included) $250
• • Public Dance class (refreshments included) $20pp
• • Photography/Modeling $100 sessions
• • Choreography starting at $60

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @theshaashow_