Read over Michelle Soutier’s bio, and you’ll see a lot of accolades for dance-related activities, which makes perfect sense for a woman who has dedicated decades of her life to dance and dance education. But you’ll also see just as many mentions of Soutier’s philanthropic work, including honors from organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Dancers Against Cancer, and African Christian Fellowship International.
Soutier’s approach to life illustrates the words of Albert Einstein, who said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” And through Miller Street Dance Academy, the studio she founded in 1994, Soutier is working to pass on that approach to the next generation.
Launching the Miller Street Dance Academy Service Society
Raised in a family of philanthropists, Soutier learned the value of serving early in life. Her father, who was a pilot, flew burn victims to their medical appointments for the Shriners.
When Soutier launched Miller Street Dance Academy, she didn’t put her service on hold. She continued to be involved in a wide range of philanthropic efforts, and often had her students participate with her. As more and more students got involved, she launched Miller Street’s Service Society to make philanthropy an official part of the curriculum.
“When I started the Service Society, Miller Street’s dancers were already doing so much work with me, and they were excited about it,” Soutier recalls. “I wanted to reward them for what they were doing to make the world a better place, so I created a point program that would further motivate them and allow them to earn some recognition.”
Soutier saw the Service Society bring validity to the service she was encouraging her students to participate in. It also provided a more formal and organized way for her to mobilize volunteers.
“Once Service Society launched, we began announcing and promoting service opportunities on Miller Street’s website and social media feeds, as well as in the email messages we sent to students and their parents,” Soutier says. “It allowed a lot more people to see what we were doing, which meant a lot more people could get involved.”
Tapping into community service to train better dancers
Soutier’s work at Miller Street Dance Academy focuses on raising the standard of dance education. Her goal is to develop confident, well-rounded dancers who value discipline, academic excellence, and community involvement.
While participating in the Service Society definitely helps students learn to value community involvement, Soutier also believes it does more than that. By helping students stay more focused and develop closer connections with their instructors, the Service Society has also helped Soutier’s students to become better dancers.
“To grow and be confident in your dancing requires a big time commitment, which is difficult to make if you are constantly participating in events focused on building your résumé for college,” Soutier says. “When we established the Service Society, we became like a one-stop shop for our students, offering service opportunities that didn’t compete with their dance education. Now, they don’t need to miss classes or forfeit going to a competition because they have an obligation to a service opportunity, which means they can get the instruction they need to excel as a dancer.”
The Service Society has also helped Miller Street by fostering a stronger relationship between dancers and their instructors. Miller Street’s staff bonds with students through the philanthropic projects they do together, creating a positive climate that fuels effective learning.
“The staff was on board from the very beginning,” Soutier says. “They put together projects they are passionate about and invite their students to join them. It really is a big bonding experience.”
Connecting with the community through the Miller Street Service Society
As a well-known advocate for dance education, Soutier is often asked by other studio founders what it takes to succeed. A key component, she tells them, is the Service Society.
“I’ve been working for 20 years with other dance studios to help them grow their business, and I tell them community service is a key ingredient in the secret sauce,” Soutier says. “I tell them to encourage service not only because it is good for their dancers but also because it gets them out in the community where people can see them.”
Soutier has come to understand that philanthropy is not just an educational tool, but a marketing tool. As she and her dancers serve in the community, people don’t just see that they are there but that they care.
“We are in our community every single day in some capacity through the Service Society,” Soutier says. “People see us, and they see the Miller Street logo. On top of all of its other benefits, our commitment to service has become a huge, ongoing, and impactful marketing campaign.”
Soutier sees the Service Society as the heartbeat of her studio. It keeps the value of philanthropy constantly in front of her dancers, which helps them to be strong performers and compassionate leaders. It also keeps her studio constantly in the community, which creates the visibility and positive vibe today’s businesses need to succeed.
