Chasta Hamilton 

FOUNDER/ OWNER/ CEO

Originally from Greene County Tennessee, the prestigious Park Scholarship brought Chasta to NC State, graduating summa cum laude in 2007 with a degree in Arts Applications (Theatre) and a Film Studies minor. In 2009, she brought her passion to life by opening Stage Door Dance Productions—now thriving in two locations: Brier Creek and Lake Boone Trail!

At Stage Door Dance, Chasta has revolutionized dance education with a bold, student-centered approach that blends creativity, leadership, and purpose. She’s passionate about giving dancers powerful experiences, connecting them with inspiring artists, and igniting their potential—on and off the stage. Her visionary work has made her a true trailblazer in the dance world and beyond.

SDD Alumni have attended the University of North School of the Arts, the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance at the University of Southern California, Duke University, NC State University, the University of North Carolina, and a number of other exceptionally credible programs and higher education institutions. Students from the studio have appeared in Theatre In The Park's A Christmas Carol, North Carolina Theatre's Billy Elliot, Broadway's Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, A Bronx Tale The Ferryman, and The King & I, the Matilda National Tour, Theatre Raleigh's The Wolf, Awakening at The Wynn, and a variety of film/tv projects. Chasta believes dance gives you confidence to pave any pathway imaginable, and whether a child continues to move or practice medicine, their dance training will undoubtedly help them succeed.

Giving back is  a core part of the studio's culture. Since 2017, the Elevated Pathways Program has raised over $200,000+ for nonprofits that represent the stories of our community. The focus on peer to peer philanthropy is one of Chasta's favorite accomplishments within Stage Door Dance. 

Chasta is also the founder and director of the dance program at the Carolina Country Club. Chasta authored a dance patch program, Make Every Dance Step Count, for the Girl Scouts of the Carolina Coastal Pines and served as the Founder/Director of the Sightless Rhythm Tap Project at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind. Prior to the pandemic, she was heavily involved with local theatre groups and had the privilege of directing and/or choreographing 35 shows for the following companies: Raleigh Little Theatre, Theatre In The Park, North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre, Deep Dish Theatre, Athens Drive High School, Carolina Youth Theatre, and Clayton High School.

Chasta is a member of Dance Masters of America, where she is certified by exam to teach ballet, tap, jazz, and acrobatics, and Dance Educators of America, where she is certified with high honors in ballet and jazz. She has previously served on the Leadership Council of the Junior League of Raleigh and on the Selection and Symposium Committees for the Park Scholarship Program at NC State University. 

In January 2013, Chasta launched The Dance Exec, as an online collaborative resource for dance educators and dance enthusiasts. The site reached a national and international audience and offered regional seminars targeted towards best business practices for dance studios. In 2015, The Dance Exec was named "Best Dance Blog" in the 2015 Dance Upon A Dream Web Awards. In 2016, TutuTix acquired the contents of The Dance Exec so the information may live in perpetuity to an even larger audience. 

In 2018, Chasta launched Girls Geared For Greatness, a non-profit training series designed to empower and inspire girls ages 7-18. In its first season, the organization reached 200 girls with a focus on leadership, perseverance, and entrepreneurship. Now, with its own 501(c)(3) status, the organization is excited to grow in the future.

In 2012, Chasta was named a Goodmon Awards Recipient for excellence in regional leadership in the category of the Arts, and in 2014, Chasta was named to the Triangle Business Journal’s prestigious 40 Under 40. In 2016, the Triangle Business Journal named Chasta a "Future Star' at the Women In Business Awards. She is also a member of KNOW Women, a collection of dynamic female business owners, leaders, and philanthropists. In 2019, Chasta was recorded for oral history archives of the state of the North Carolina under the She Changed the World: Women Breaking Barriers initiative.

Her first book, Trash The Trophies: How to Win Without Losing Your Soul, was released in August 2020 and immediately became an Amazon Bestseller. Her second book, Handle the Horrible: Change. Triage. Joy. was released in September 2022 with equal success. Her first children’s book, The Trophy Trap: Unleash Your Inner Winner, was released in May 2024.

Most recently, Chasta has expanded to sharing her story and business/educational methodologies to wider audiences through her entrepreneurial endeavors, books, motivational speaking, and advocacy. This ability to influence is rooted in a deep desire to cultivate positive change for children and provide a sustainabile, enjoyable future.

Chasta is known for her energy, enthusiasm, and devotion to her students. She absolutely loves the performing arts and is so grateful for the opportunity to build a community of amazing, talented, and passionate dancers that are focused on technique, performance, community, and character.  

You can follow her at: www.chastahamilton.com