Women’s History Month Feature: Q & A with Laura Wallner

by: Jazmine Clark; Jeanne Nuage Blog. 2021

photos: Paul Versluis

It’s March and you know that means…March Madness? Yes, but that’s not all. March is also National Women’s History Month and is dedicated to honoring trailblazing women who have made and are making a positive impact on society. Women are a crucial part of history! We have been powerhouses in the workforce, the glue of the family unit, political trailblazers and so much more. It seems like women should be celebrated every day of every month, but hey I don’t make the rules.

This month we are featuring phenomenal businesswomen, mothers, educators, and beyond who are continuously striving to leave a positive mark on the world.

I had the pleasure of getting to know a woman of many talents, Laura Wallner. Laura is originally from Montana and has lived in Missouri for 16 years. She is a professional dancer, model, and ballet instructor. Whew, like many women she wears multiple hats! We discussed her passion for dance, being a role model for her daughter, and women that are outstanding to her.

Q: What are some of your passions?

A: I’m passionate about dancing and performing. I took about almost 3 years off when I had my daughter, and I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to dance or perform professionally again after that. I didn’t know if I really needed to or wanted to but after 2 years, I realized I still was very passionate about that (dance) and I still had a strong desire to do that. I’m also really passionate about being a mom. I love seeing her grow and learn and becoming more of a whole person.

Q: What are some of your goals?

A: My goal is to raise my daughter to be a really kind, strong, and self-assured woman who can think for herself.

 Q: What do you enjoy most about dance and teaching?

A: I really enjoy performing, one thing about being on stage and just sharing your passion with the audience and bringing art to more people is really exhilarating. And then teaching is just great to be able to share that love of dance and be able to instill that love in other children. I really want them to enjoy ballet and realize all the wonderful parts and things about it.

Q: What women are you most inspired by?

A: I am inspired by a lot of women. Just women who are working to make their dreams happen and make the world a better place in general. Specifically, from Kamala Harris who is so inspiring. We have a female Vice-President in office and I’m really thrilled that for us it’s very extraordinary but hopefully, for my daughter, it would be normalized that she’s in that high of a position. I’m inspired by women like Jennifer Tierney, who owns two brands, working so hard to achieve her dreams and on this new endeavor of fashion design and she’s not scared to start something totally new and that’s really inspiring to me. And I’m also inspired by all of the moms and parents, whether they stay at home or work full-time, just really killing it for their family because that is a really hard job.

It is for sure a hard job being a mother, professional and simply being a woman at times. We are looking forward to shining extra light on phenomenal women this month! To stay connected follow @jeannenuage on Instagram and Facebook and enjoy our weekly post.

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