Even though Craig V. Miller ’25 has been singing for as long as he can remember, dance didn’t become part of his story until he was a sophomore. He auditioned for a role as a dancer in Fame: The Musical—his high school was the first to perform it—and that experience inspired him to turn his attention toward dance. He joined his school’s dance company and dance team right away, and he started training at Motor City Dance Factory.
His talents were impressive enough to land a merit scholarship to Oakland University, where he earned a BA in Dance Performance. While at Oakland, he also attended the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company summer intensive and Alonzo King LINES Ballet summer intensive. Before he graduated, he trained at the Ailey School in New York City as well.
With his undergraduate degree in hand, Miller moved to Chicago to work with Inaside Chicago Dance as a performing apprentice and later as a full company member. He also made time to appear in productions with The Seldoms, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Dance in the Parks, Chicago Dance Crash, and Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker.
But performance is only one way he engages with dance. This year also marks his 21st year of teaching. “I believe in imparting knowledge on the next generation, especially because today’s dance training and dancers are very different from when I started,” Miller explains. “I want to make sure they have access to social and emotional resources to deal with things like disappointment, rejection, and injury, which are all part of the game.”
After he retired from performing in 2019—right before the pandemic—Miller returned to Detroit to teach at Motor City Dance Factory and lead Eisenhower Dance Detroit’s Let’s Dance After School Program. He also earned certifications a self-love coach, sound healer, and Holy Fire® reiki practitioner. He says these pursuits helped fill the void that remained after he left the stage.
As the pandemic was winding down, he accepted a position with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago as a community engagement program coordinator, where he taught dance in schools and ran the Extensions Scholarship Program.
“I felt like I lost part of my identity,” Miller explains. “There’s a quote from choreographer Martha Graham that says, ‘Dancers die two deaths: the first when they stop dancing, and the second when they actually transition.’ But, through coaching and teaching, I was able to rediscover who I am and help others in the arts community.”
A year later, as he was turning 40, he decided he was ready to take his career down a slightly different path. To do this, he knew graduate school was in order, and Northwestern’s MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises (MSLCE) was the right fit.
“I had the baseline skills to take on many of the leadership roles I was considering, but I didn’t have a formative degree or credentials to back me up,” he explains. “I want to be a dance advocate in television and film, but I want to be prepared for the business side. I’ve seen how the lack of business knowledge has affected arts professionals’ careers, and I knew I wanted to be prepared to take my career to the next level.”
He also wanted to discover ow to bring his passion projects to life, including a dance-focused podcast and an app to help dance studios find qualified substitute teachers quickly.
Courses like The Business of Streaming, led by Professor AJ Christian, are helping Miller develop the capabilities he needs to meet his professional goals. “This class has been great for understanding how contracts work and what they mean, as well as what film and television studios are doing today with intellectual property, which will be very helpful for me moving forward.”
In Adjunct Lecturer Cory Sandrock’s Economics of Creative Enterprises, Miller is learning what he calls “the meat and potatoes” of why he chose the MSLCE program. “It’s lots of math, which was not my forte in school, but it’s so beneficial when it’s presented in this way. Out in the world, I’m now noticing the economic impact of factors like strikes and market shifts.”
The most impactful exploration so far, he says, has been through The Power of Strategic Storytelling, taught by Assistant Professor Nathan Walter, where he’s learning how to tell effective stories. It’s a skill that can help him shape perceptions, influence decisions, and connect with people in meaningful ways.
Together, Miller says these experiences are setting him up for a dynamic new chapter, where he plans to launch production company, bring his app and podcast to life, write a book, and reignite his early love for singing by producing an album. Directing for theater, television, or film is also on the horizon. He even envisions himself back on stage—if the right opportunity calls.
“When it comes to pursuing your dreams, I’ve learned that age doesn’t matter,” says Miller. “Your dreams are still alive. If you feel like something has to change, you still have time to pursue what you want. I completely rearranged my life, and I’m so glad I did. I’m grateful this program exists, because it’s helping me move in the direction I want to go.”
Mastering Your Comeback
Craig Miller ’25 offers a firsthand perspective on the lessons that have helped him successfully make the transition to a graduate program after years of performing and teaching.
- Be open to what others have to share. “You’re coming in with many of your own life experiences, but be willing to really listen to others. You’ll be learning alongside people who are very creative, artistic, and successful.”
- Don’t let your own light dim. “While it’s important to hear what others have to say, don’t dim your own light. You’re surrounded by opinions, and listening is valuable, but don’t let those opinions overshadow your own perspective.”
- Recognize when things aren’t working. “If something doesn’t feel right, you can make a change to improve it. Lean on your community and get the help you need to succeed.”
- Take advantage of every opportunity. “There are so many offerings on and off campus. By getting involved, you can create community a lot faster.”
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