Nashville Dancer's Journey to Super Bowl Ad Choreography

Julia Wagner · 2026-02-06

You know that feeling when you're watching the Super Bowl commercials, and one just stops you in your tracks? That happened to millions of people this year with the Svedka ad featuring some seriously captivating dance moves. What you might not know is that the choreography came from a Nashville-based dancer's creative mind. Her story isn't just about luck. It's about hustle, preparation, and understanding how the commercial dance world really works. Let's pull back the curtain on how a local artist landed her work on one of advertising's biggest stages. ### The Hustle Before The Spotlight This didn't start with a random email from a major brand. Like most success stories in dance, it began with years of groundwork. She was teaching classes, taking gigs, and constantly creating. Her social media wasn't just for fun—it was a living portfolio. When the opportunity arose, she wasn't just ready; she was the obvious choice because her style was already out there, visible and polished. Building a recognizable style is crucial. For studio owners and choreographers, this means: - Developing a signature movement vocabulary - Consistently sharing work online - Networking within both local and digital dance communities - Treating every class and small gig as a potential audition ### The Audition Process Demystified Getting commercial choreography work isn't usually about one big audition. It's about relationships. Often, brands or agencies reach out to choreographers they've seen work they admire. Sometimes it's through a recommendation from a director or another dancer. In this case, her unique blend of musicality and visual storytelling caught the right person's eye. "The best opportunities find you when you're deeply focused on your craft, not on chasing opportunities," she noted in a recent interview. That mindset shift—from seeking validation to expressing artistry—often makes all the difference. ### Anatomy of a Super Bowl Choreography Creating for a 30-second spot is a unique challenge. Every movement has to communicate brand energy, fit the product's vibe (in this case, Svedka's sleek, modern aesthetic), and be memorable enough to stand out between football plays. The choreography needed to be: - Visually striking in quick cuts - Performable by diverse dancers - Synced perfectly with the music and editing pace - Brand-appropriate without being obvious She worked closely with the director, adapting movements to camera angles and the set's specific dimensions (the main stage area was roughly 40 feet by 60 feet). The dancers rehearsed for weeks, often 6-8 hours a day, to achieve that effortless look we saw for just seconds on screen. ### What This Means For Your Studio This story isn't just inspiring—it's instructional. For dance studio owners and independent choreographers, the path to larger platforms is more accessible than ever, but it requires strategy. First, diversify your revenue. This choreographer wasn't relying on studio classes alone. She offered online workshops, sold choreography packages, and licensed her work. Think of your choreography as intellectual property that can generate income in multiple ways. Second, collaborate outside your immediate circle. Work with local filmmakers, musicians, and other artists. These projects build your reel with professional-quality content that attracts commercial clients. Finally, understand the business side. Commercial rates vary wildly, but a national ad choreography gig like this typically pays between $5,000 and $20,000+, depending on the brand's budget and usage rights. Knowing your worth and negotiating contracts is part of the professional dance world. ### The Ripple Effect Since the ad aired, her local classes have seen increased enrollment. Other brands have reached out for projects. But more importantly, she's proven that you don't have to be in Los Angeles or New York to create work that reaches millions. With talent, persistence, and smart use of digital tools, your studio's influence can extend far beyond your city's limits. The next time you're choreographing a routine, remember: you're not just creating steps for your students. You're developing a visual language that could resonate with someone, somewhere, who's looking for exactly what you offer. Keep creating, keep sharing, and who knows—your work might just be the next thing that makes America pause during the big game.