Pilar Wilder, Owner and Director

1. Where did you grow up? I grew up in the Amazing Augusta, GA :)
2. How did that influence you? I was surrounded by superb role models in a city with a rich history in music, dance and other cultural arts. Augusta provided the opportunities of a big city with the comforts of a small town.
3. What is your favorite thing to do in Macon? I enjoy spending time with my doggies at their second home - Tyler’s Place - Macon Dog Park, seeing the great shows that play in our theaters and performing. There is always something great to do but most of all, I look forward to a chance to relax (doing nothing at all!) - that rarely happens, though.
4. What is one thing that people would not see at first glance? Folks often don’t see just how serious I am about dance. More often than not, I’m all smiles and giggles but in classes, rehearsals and performances, I expect the best and accept nothing less.
5. What has been the most significant accomplishment in your life? Why? My most significant accomplishment would be creating a sense of pride in, love and ownership of the world of dance in a generation of boys and girls that may not have ever fully appreciated their own artistic potential with a push. Together, we have leapt over the boundaries of race, physical appearance, stereotypes and fear. I have taught thousands of students. Many of which holdfast to the idea that “Can’t” is a bad word. I have made a career out of a personal passion. I thank God for that accomplishment everyday!
6. Do you have a hidden talent? I have a love for the piano. I’m no pianist but I could fool you! I can play couple of songs REALLY well. I also design clothing and sew.
7. What movie would best describe you? It’s hasn’t been made yet! Try “Diary of Passionate (Dance) Teacher”.
8. What do you do best? I DANCE! I TEACH! I MENTOR! I love to organize and host family events that bring the community together. It’s what I do best, It’s who I am.
9. Who in your life has most influenced you? My mother. She didn’t dance but she sure knew how to make me look my best on stage by instilling a sense of discipline and a passion for excellence.
10. Tell me about a challenge that you overcame. There have been many, still are and will be many more. None so great as to eclipse loosing my mother. She has always been my source of strength and my most trusted advisor. I would consult her before or after every major decision that I made. We lost her without warning and I fell into a sort of depression for a couple years but never stopped working. It is pretty amazing to look back on that time in my life. The average person only saw strength and drive not my weakness and vulnerability. My mother made me that way. :)
11. What do you do for fun in your free time? I enjoy arts festivals, outdoor concerts, good food and friends and the Atlanta Latin and West African dance scene.
12. How do you define success? Success is finding value in that which you pour your heart into, maintaining your honor in pursuit of that thing and managing to inspire greatness in others along the way without even trying. Needless to say, success is not finite but instead a fluid transition into something new each day.
13. Who do you most admire? Oh that’s easy - my students! They are fearless and immensely talented. Recently, I found myself in a position where I was the student and two of my students were my teachers. Just as I was taking the easy way out (not on purpose, just without thinking) they POUNCED! Throwing my own words back on me, they told me to “Get UNcomfortable”. Gosh, they were amazing to watch as instructors. I am so proud.
14. Did you move around a lot? Nope! I was born and raised in Augusta and moved to Macon to attend Wesleyan college. That’s it.
15. Are there any issues you feel passionately about? Children. Working with and for children is my passion. I was raised believing that there were no boundaries so great that could ever keep me from my goals. My father, mother, brothers and extended family are all so very strong, hardworking, talented and just plain different (you know, like a bunch of “Cool Beans”). If I don’t spend my time on this planet helping to instill these qualities in other children the way they were modeled for me - well what a waste of space I would be!
16. Do you have a nickname? TOO MANY: “Ms. P”, “P”, “Gigi”, “Gette”, “PG”, “Boonk”, “Pecan”, “Pillar of the Community”
17. Where is your favorite place to visit? Its a tie between Charleston, SC, Miami, FL, and Denver, CO. One a side note, my favorite place ever visited would be Ghana.
18. What book are you reading right now? 50 Powerful Ideas You Can Use to Keep Your Customers by Paul R. Timm and The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
19. What’s hot? Creating a trend.
20. What’s not? Being a slave to one.