Following a Dream: Lori McNabb’s Journey to Spotlight Dance and Acrobatics

I get a chance to chat with Lori McNabb, the owner of Spotlight Dance and Acrobatics, and she tells me about her journey. She starts by sharing that her dream began with a prayer. As a child, Lori always wanted to have a dance studio. Instead, she went to college, became a counselor, and later an administrator. She prayed for clarity, asking for the dream to either leave her or to be given a sign. That sign came when a former coworker called her about a building for rent—a building perfect for a dance studio. This call came seven years after they had last spoken, and Lori took it as a clear answer to her prayers.

In 2009, she opened the doors of her studio, originally called In the Spotlight School of Creative Dance. Over the years, the name was shortened to Spotlight Dance and Acrobatics. Lori’s daughters, who graduated with dance degrees, and Brooke, who has danced with them since the beginning, now help run the studio. They offer classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, acrobatics, and even bar workout classes. The studio accepts everyone from babies to adults. Lori proudly talks about how her daughters continue to carry the torch, teaching and keeping the dream alive.

Spotlight Dance and Acrobatics has expanded to a second location in Kanawha City, in addition to their original location in Saint Albans. Lori emphasizes how everything aligned perfectly, affirming her belief that her journey is more than just a pursuit of personal desire. It is a fulfillment of a deep-rooted calling that has been with her since childhood.

When I ask Lori about the leap from a stable job to opening her own studio, she shares that it wasn’t easy. She had to work multiple jobs initially, balancing her time between her main job and building her dream. She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to be prepared for long hours and to have a strong support system. Lori emphasizes that if a passion never leaves you, it’s something you must pursue. She encourages others to take that leap, even if it requires working extra hours or taking on multiple responsibilities. The journey might be challenging, but the reward of pursuing your passion and finding peace in your work is worth it.

As we wrap up, Lori invites anyone interested to learn more about Spotlight Dance and Acrobatics at 1104 Kanawha Terrace  in Saint Albans or 3906 MacCorkle Ave SE in Kanawha City. They can be found on Facebook, and they have a website at http://spotlightcreativedance.com/ The studio has been voted the Best in the Valley for the past three years, and Lori and her team look forward to welcoming new students and continuing to foster a love of dance in the community.