We had the good fortune of connecting with Alana Caston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alana, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from Myrtle Beach, SC. I started dancing when I was 4 with Myrtle Beach Dance Company, and have been at the same studio my whole life until i graduated. Shoutout to Ms. brandy for teaching me everything I know! Im a competition kid, so being around that teaches you the importance of professionalism, time management, and being a team player. Growing up like this really helped with my upbringing in dance because it showed me a glimpse of the industry, and also connects you with other dancers and teachers.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The love i have for dance is out id this world. I think my drive and understanding sets me apart from others. Dance isn’t just listening to the music and moving, its so much more intricate. Listening to the counts, each beat in the song, the lyrics, then feeding in movement, its a fun ride. Growing up I danced 5 out of 7 days out the week. i was the “i cant, i have dance” girl. i trained all the time and even on my days off i was choreographing and dancing at home. dance is NEVER easy. takes a lot if blood sweat and tears, literally. there are so many take aways from my career but i think the biggest one is staying true to who you are as a person and dancer. dance is the most comparable sport. we are constantly judged on how we look, how we present ourselves. its easy to get caught up in watching other dancers and trying to fit in a mold that wasn’t meant for us. being unapologetically me was not easy but im glad to say i made it there. i would want the world to know how hungry and passionate i am for this lifestyle. teaching and dancing is everything i have ever known, and being able to show that to other people is a life i want to live.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ive only lived in ATL for about a year but man do i love it! Most of my friends are dancers, so of course we have to hit up some dance classes. Xcel Studios and Groove2Musik are my go-tos. Showing my friends around I love to be a tourist, so we’d go to the basics like atlantic station and piedmont park. I love to be outside and be in the sun so anything that involves nature im there!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Brandy Miller! I have danced with her studio since I was 4 years old. She has been a second mom to me, helped raised me into the dancer I am today!

Website: https://alanacaston.com

Instagram: @alanacaston

Youtube: @alanalynncaston

Other: tik tok! : @alanacaston

Image Credits
Tonio Howard (@toochillshots)
Atlanta Hawks

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