Carolyn Nelson-Kavajecz, a USTA Professional member from Wisconsin, is USTA’s new Growth and Development Chairperson. Inside Loop recently talked with her about her background in twirling, and her goals for the future. Here’s what she had to say.
Inside Loop: Carolyn, as USTA’s new Growth and Development Chairperson, can you give us a little of YOUR background in baton and dance? In addition, how do you envision growth for the USTA?
Nelson-Kavajecz: When I was little, my aunt saw an ad in the local newspaper for baton twirling lessons in our community. Having always dreamed of being a baton twirler herself, she signed me up right away. For several years, I took lessons from a college student at UWS, the local university in Superior, Wis. When my coach graduated and moved away, we no longer had a twirling teacher in our community. Approaching high school, I decided to join the majorette team.
I practiced on my own, spending countless hours in my driveway, teaching myself new tricks and creating my own routines. However, upon reaching high school, I was disheartened to find the twirling team had been discontinued. Recognizing the need for performing arts opportunities in our community, I took action. I contacted the local YMCA and asked if I could teach baton lessons to young children. They allowed me to use a small room one night per week, but I had to do my own recruiting and was only paid for one hour despite teaching for several hours each night.
Initially, I planned to continue through high school and then move to a big city to become a famous talk-show host. However, by the time I graduated, my team, "Carolyn’s Sterling Silver Baton Twirlers," had grown to about 50 kids. I couldn't walk away from that, so I enrolled in college at UWS. While in college, I taught every night at various locations throughout Superior, WI, and Duluth, MN. Renting studio spaces from others, I decided to open my own storefront on the main street in my hometown and bring the entire group together. Without seed money but with determination, I found someone willing to rent a commercial building to my 20-year-old self. Within two months, I moved into "Sterling Silver Studio." I shared office space with another young entrepreneur and rented the studio to a karate instructor and two dance instructors a couple of nights per week to help make ends meet.
Within a year, we had outgrown our space, and I relocated the business to a larger location nearby. Though unsure of what I was doing, I kept an open mind and surrounded myself with experienced business professionals who were willing to teach me. I lived in a small room at the back of the new studio, which had a shower, a toilet, a bathroom sink, a refrigerator from a garage sale, and an electric skillet from my cousin. This was my “home sweet home” for the next five years. While I was there, the building was put up for sale, but I didn't have the money to buy it.
Recognizing the high demand for performing arts opportunities in our community, I developed a 501(c)3 organization to provide financial assistance for those in need, which has been operating for over 27 years. I also founded The Ultimate Talent Connection (TUTC), which hosts dance and twirling competitions and supports studio owners.
After graduating from college, my landlord informed me that my building had sold, and I had three months to relocate. A music store across the street was going out of business, and the owner offered me the space. With the help of high school students, we moved everything across the street in the middle of the night when there was no traffic on our main street. We stayed there for 11 years.
In 2009, we needed to move again due to high demand and wait-lists. Though buying a building was challenging, we found a space in an old shopping mall. With the support of friends and studio families, we moved into a new facility complete with a gymnasium, dance studio, retail store, locker room, and lobby. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we went from 250 to zero students overnight. Fortunately, because we had always run Sterling Silver as a professional and legal entity, we were able to take advantage of small business financial programs, which helped us stay afloat. Our team remained committed, and once we reopened, we expanded to serve 350 students per week.
As Sterling Silver Studio has evolved over 34 years, so has my passion for teaching. Today, I teach baton twirling a few hours per week, with most instruction provided by dancers and twirlers who grew up in Sterling Silver. I serve as the President of Create Wisconsin, a statewide community cultural development organization, and as a senior lecturer at UWS. I'm passionate about helping artists develop businesses, recognize their value, and create professional development opportunities. My vision for USTA’s Growth and Development Department is to empower baton twirling coaches with the tools to build professional entities and sustainable careers.
Inside Loop: So, Carolyn, what are three things the baton world probably doesn’t know about you?
Nelson-Kavajecz: Three things you might not know about me are.
- I have always loved to entertain! When I was first starting Sterling Silver Studio, in order to make ends meet financially, I hired myself out as a birthday party clown for four years. I even went to clown college! I still have some serious balloon animal skills! Hahaha!
- I have a Ph.D. in Entrepreneurial Management with a focus on Leadership and Organizational Change.
- I still dream of becoming a talk show host. You never know what opportunities lie just around the corner!