Meet Alexandra Pernice from METDance

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Pernice.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Winter Springs, FL just north of Orlando. Like most other kids, I was overextended; participating in too many extracurricular activities at one time. At the age of ten, my mother let me decide which one I wanted to continue with, and the answer was an emphatic “Dance!”. I trained with Orlando City Ballet, American Ballet Theater and became a third-year graduate from Point Park University in 2008. Upon graduation, I went on to do regional Broadway theater and a contract with Royal Caribbean before making my move to the big apple. My experience into a professional career in NYC took a bit of time. After three years of “No’s” and “Almost’s” and reconsidering my path into the arts, I was offered the only company contract that season with Peridance Contemporary Dance Company in NYC.

After that, a previous “Almost” turned into a “Yes” when I landed the National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera. After two and a half years on the Phantom tour, I accepted an offer for the first national tour of An American in Paris before heading back to NYC to make my Broadway debut in Anastasia. After over a decade of a professional career, I was looking for a different path. I had been doing some marketing and fundraising work on the side for years and developed a liking to it. I have always had a great relationship with METdance and when I found out they were looking for someone to help with development, I immediately reached out. As of this past January, I moved down here to become the Development Director at METdance and I couldn’t feel more honored.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have been fortunate to have had a performance career that I am truly proud of, but none of it came without it’s struggles. It was through a constant work ethic to grow in my craft, strategic planning and a little faith that I have the rewarding accomplishments that I do today.

Life will always throw curve balls, and I have had many throughout my career, but I believe it’s how we persevere that matters. As I stated before, I moved everything to be here and work for an organization I am proud of and my passion to help fundraise for the arts has never felt more needed. Even now I am faced with my next adversity. Due to exploding real estate development causing increasing rental expenses and decreasing funding for the arts, even with our best efforts to stay in our midtown space, METdance’s lease was suddenly and unexpectedly terminated. As a result, we had to move out of our current home on May 31, 2019, and at this time we have nowhere to go.

This place is truly a dance center for the community and now its’ absence is affecting so many lives, including my own. Just another curve ball in my life, but we are strong, and through our perseverance, I have faith we will come out of all of this to a better place than before.

Please tell us about METdance.
Aside from being one of the only dance centers of every genre for drop-in classes we also have three major entities that contribute to our mission:

1. METdance has served the community for the past 23 years providing high-quality dance training to thousands of students ages 3 to 73 including pre-professional and professional training programs. Our training facility serves hundreds of students per week and we have provided heavily discounted or free rental space to fellow arts organizations in need.

2. METdance impacts over 20,000 children annually with its Outreach programming through in-school residencies and performances as well as field trip performances that are discounted or free.

3. METdance is also the 2nd largest professional dance company in Houston with a commitment to making high-quality dance performances accessible to the entire community. We provide free and ticketed performances in almost every performance venue including The Miller Outdoor Theatre, Hobby Center and MATCH in Houston.

I am most proud of the family here at METdance. It has been amazing to see everyone look to each other and come together to try and make this transition a positive one. We all came together to start the ‘We Are METdance’ campaign to show just how many people this is affecting and that, together, we will rise. We are not a building, we are a family.

I think what sets us apart from the rest is that we have a program that lends itself to recreational dance as well as a successfully proven training program that leads to college conservatory acceptances, and then to job opportunities with METdance to those alumni who want to come back or make a home in Houston; We bring it back full circle. The directors at METdance have the ability to make a difference in lives who want to pursue dance and they make it happen. That, in my opinion, is what makes METdance such a gift.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Oh gosh, there are too many to count. Everyone at METdance, for the opportunity to continue my journey in the arts. My family, for all of their support along the way. My voice teacher, Will Bryan, who completely transformed my singing voice. Last but not least would be my former ballet teacher, Beatrix Aldana, whose memory inspires me every day in dancing, in teaching, and in life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.metdance.org
• Email: info@metdance.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houstonmetdance/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoustonMetDance/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel&eid=ARAkJSjzW-TQqAKMTHrgGfGiVU1e2Ho-liW7UPax5axbfIhmFSqTlo8B51KR03A4QT6mybfh5x_PfA8q
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/houstonmetdance?lang=en
• Other: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/houston-metropolitan-dance-center-inc/we-are-metdance

Image Credit:
Ben Doyle and Dane Wagner

Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.