Getting to Know Director of Inventory Riley Hendrickson
A Community Member on Dance and Inclusivity
Name pronunciation: Rye-lee Hen-drick-son | Pronouns: she/they
By Madison Huizinga, DWC Blog Editor
Discussions of inclusivity in the dance world cannot be completely comprehensive if they don’t acknowledge how dancers with disabilities are treated in the industry. DWC Director of Inventory Riley Hendrickson shares her desire for dance spaces open to folks of all abilities and retells her own journey with dance and Dancewear Center. Read on to get to know this beloved member of the DWC team!
Riley started dancing ballet and tap around age three and expanded into contemporary, jazz, and hip hop genres throughout high school. After her first dance studio closed during her middle school years, she enrolled at Body Language Studio (formerly known as Cornerstone Studio). “It was very intimidating for me at first but I quickly found my people,” Riley says of switching studios.
“It was never about being the best and becoming a professional,” Riley says of her motive behind dancing. “It was a [opportunity] to be in my body, release energy, and find a group of people I could connect with.” Of all the genres Riley tried, tap is what stuck with her most. “Tap is my absolute favorite thing ever!” she says, sharing that she connects deeply with the rhythmic qualities of the dance style. While she’s taken a step back from dancing today, she’s enjoyed being involved in the local dance community in a new way through her role at Dancewear Center.
Riley points out that there are many outdated norms in the dance world, one of which is a lack of respect for children with both hidden and visible disabilities. “I’ve been recently exploring a late diagnosis of autism and when I look back, I can see how crucial dance was for my childhood,” Riley says. “I learned how to use my body and that not everything has to be spoken. I learned how much music and movement can be healing and uplifting, and was put into different social environments that allowed me to grow greatly as a person.” She believes that creating dance environments that are welcoming to those that don’t thrive in high-intensity, fast-paced class environments would help welcome more folks into the dance community. “Everyone should be able to dance no matter what!” Riley declares.
“[After] high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do,” Riley says. She had connected with Dancewear Center Owner and General Manager Samantha Weissbach through Body Language Studio and around the time of Riley’s graduation, Samantha had bought DWC. Seeking employees to work at the store, Riley decided to throw her hat in the ring. She started out as a retail sales associate, before becoming a pointe shoe fitter, manager, and now director of inventory. “I have an odd amount of fun organizing and counting inventory,” she shares. “I manage all the buying and receiving for both [of DWC’s] locations while getting to work upfront with customers doing pointe shoe fittings, so I like the balance.”
“Similar to my dance journey, I had no idea where [this job] was going to take me, but it has been the best thing that could have happened to me,” Riley says proudly.
Riley says that there are countless reasons why she loves working at Dancewear Center, but one of her top ones is the community that’s come along with the job. She appreciates that she gets to work in a comfortable space where young people are given the opportunity to learn and grow free of judgement and excessive pressure. “I’m supported, genuinely cared for, and encouraged to put myself first,” Riley says. She says that as a general manager, Samantha’s care for DWC’s employees shines through, allowing staff members to pay her kindness forward towards customers and community members.
Outside of work, Riley enjoys recharging after days full of human interaction. “I try to focus on the little things that spark joy and relaxation for me: puzzles, video games, sometimes books, and anything you can find at a craft store, I will take a stab at,” she says. Riley especially enjoys spending time outside in the spring and summer, when she can often be found on a beach or chilling in a hammock in the forest. When she envisions her future, she pictures creating a family and feeling relaxed and free in her garden home.
We’re so grateful to have Riley on the team here at DWC!
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