Get To Know...Dance Mom Holly

Find out more about me during the next drama filled episode of "Dance Moms Season 2",  Tuesday nights at 9/8c on Lifetime. 

Q: What was your New Year resolution?

A: My New Year resolution - spend more quality time with family.

Q: How would you feel if your child decided they wanted to stop dancing?

A: When dance is no longer fun for Nia then it is time to quit.  I will support Nia with her decision. I would hope she does not regret that decision later in life.

Q: What’s in your purse?

A: My purse resembles Mary Poppins’ bag. I have just about everything you can imagine in my purse and it weighs a ton.

Q: What is your greatest regret?

A: No regrets… life is too short to worry about what I should have done. Life is precious, I don’t want to waste time worrying about regrets.

Q: What would you prefer for your child after they graduate high school: Broadway or College?

A: It has always been a dream for me to see Nia attend college after high school graduation.  Nia talks about doing both college and Broadway after high school graduation.  Her ambition is amazing!!

Q: How often do the girls dance each week and for how long?

A: Nia dances 4-5 days each week for approximately 3-4 hours at a time.  When the girls are not in competition season they dance a couple of times a week for 2-3 hours at a time.

Q: At what age did each girl start dancing?

A: Nia started dancing at Abby’s studio when she was 3 and she joined the Abby Lee Dance Company at 5.

Q: How are they able to juggle school work and dance? Are any of them home-schooled?

A: Nia attends an independent school where the workload is fairly demanding and rigorous.  I am proud of Nia’s strong work ethic. She is incredibly disciplined when it comes to completing schoolwork and juggling dance class/rehearsals.  She is committed to both.

Q: What advice do you have for other young dancers and dance moms?

A: Remember to keep everything in perspective.  The world of dance can be intense so it can be a challenge to maintain a healthy balance of what is really important.

Q: What is your ultimate goal with dancing?

A: Nia wants to be a professional dancer and performer.  Although I want to support her in achieving her dream of becoming a professional dancer, I recognize that she is 10 years old and her career choice may change.

Q: What’s one routine that you’d like to see the girls do?

A: I would love to see the girls do a tap routine.  I love tap and I think the girls enjoy tapping as well.  Abby has a wonderful tap teacher on staff and he choreographs fabulous routines.

Q: What were you like in high school?

A: In high school, I was very quiet and shy.  I was, and still am, a bookworm.  I loved school and was really focused on my studies. I attended a specialized high school for the humanities in NYC.  I took Latin and Spanish in addition to my other core subjects and did my first year of college in my last year of high school.

Q: What’s the best piece of mother advice you’ve ever received?

A: My mother had tons of pearls of wisdom to share.  It is hard to pick just one.  I think the one pearl that I share frequently with Nia is “know your worth.” It is important to teach Nia the importance of self love and worth.

Q: Top 5 favorite ways to stay fit on the road?

A: Hmm… that is a tough one.  I do not think I would be a poster child for staying fit.  Here are a few things that I TRY to do when we are on the road.

1. Maintain my regular routine of Herbalife protein shakes

2. Carrying suitcases and makeup bags

3. Portion control

4. Doing a quick work out in the hotel room using DVD’s –especially Leslie Sansone’s Walk Aerobics are my favorite DVD’s

5. Drink more water than usual

Q: Top 5 ways to blow off steam?

1. Pray

2. Exercise

3. Talk to my mom or sister

4. Read

5. Hang out with the other Dancemoms

Q: What are some of your favorite family recipes?

A: My mom has many great recipes. None are written down but she shares them when we visit with each other- mostly by phone.  Many of my dishes do not turn out the same but I try.  Some of my favorites are Baked Ziti, Sweet Potato Pie and Macaroni and Cheese.

Q:  What were you like when you were your daughter’s age? Any Photos to share?

A: When I was Nia’s age I was quiet and awkward.  Books were my best friends and I was definitely a homebody.  I took dance lessons from Vicki Sheer in NYC, but I was not as good as Nia.  I also remember being the tallest person in my class- quite the opposite of Nia who is often one of the smallest.  I am waiting to see if she gets a growth spurt.

Q: Any saving money tips or wasy to teach kids about financial responsibility? As a  Dance Mom, you spend a lot of money on your child’s career – how do you save in other areas?

A: Nia is very good about saving money.  She always has a stash of money tucked away for a rainy day.  Nia is very thoughtful about purchases and is diligent about saving money for something she really wants.  Money does not burn a hole through her pocket.  She does not like to borrow money from people and keeps a watchful eye on her savings account.

I tend to save for particular goals.  My savings are targeted for certain things I am trying to attain.  Most of the savings are tied to long-term goals, but whether the goal is short-term or long-term- there is almost always an objective in mind. 

Q: Do you ever have any “me time”? How do you spend it?

A: Going back for my doctorate was the ultimate “me time” experience that I ever had.  I am an eternal student and I always wanted to earn a doctorate.  This endeavor was a huge financial and family sacrifice, but it was something I really wanted to accomplish and I had incredible family support that allowed me to focus on me in this way.  Now that my doctorate is complete, I am filling my limited “me” time with exercise and reading.  I would love to do a mother- daughter book club or a book club with friends.  I think I would like to spend some time writing as well, but I have not made that leap just yet… perhaps, one day.

**See more of Holly and her daughter, Nia Tuesday nights at 9/8c on Lifetime.