Following a string of acceptances to prestigious dance schools, Coral Shores graduating senior Brookelyn Zlockie recently committed to Pace University’s renowned bachelor of fine arts in commercial dance program, providing her with a clear path toward furthering her talent in the dance world.
A graduating student of Tavernier’s On Your Toes dance studio, the acceptance to Pace’s program, which takes in about 1% to 2% of auditioning dancers, is another of Zlockie’s many recent accomplishments, which include winning NRG Dance Project’s Senior National Prodigy in 2024.
Zlockie began her dance journey at 2 years old when she enrolled at On Your Toes, then owned by her mother, Stephanie Zlockie, and grandmother, Nancy Dunn. Receiving her first title, Florida Dance Master’s Mini Miss Dance, at 7 years old, Zlockie exhibited exceptional growth as a dancer and, later, as a beginning choreographer.
“I have seen tremendous growth in her dance ability over the years, but I would say what has surprised me (most) is the growth in her level of confidence,” said Stephanie as she reflected on her daughter’s journey. “It is easy to be intimidated when you are from a small studio in a small town, so to see her walk into a room knowing she can handle anything thrown at her is really a great accomplishment and definitely contributed to her success in all of these college auditions.”
Having been accepted into highly selective programs, including the Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music and Florida State University’s School of Dance, Zlockie eventually decided upon Pace.
Located in New York City, Pace offers an industry-oriented commercial dance program, offering classes in a diversity of styles from hip-hop to jazz funk, in an area ripe with opportunity.
“When I auditioned at Pace, I could tell that all of the dancers within the program were so supportive of each other and were all as passionate about dance as I have always been, and I knew that it was the kind of environment that I wanted to be in as I took my next steps as a dancer,” Brookelyn said.
It was the supportive environment of On Your Toes that ultimately enabled Brookelyn to flourish as a dancer, leading both her and one of the studio’s earlier graduates, Jake Craig, to pursue their dance studies at Pace.
“I will always value the training that I received,” Brookelyn said. “Never once did I feel like because I was coming from a smaller town I was at a disadvantage, which I think speaks volumes for the studio. … I feel like I am very well rounded as a dancer, a factor that helped me tremendously in being accepted to Pace, which I would never be able to say without being pushed in every style at On Your Toes, and I will always be grateful for that.”
