We had the good fortune of connecting with Margarette Allyn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Margarette, what matters most to you?
Gratitude. Gratitude covers many attributes. I have two ways of looking at my past life: with resentment or gratitude. I had some strange and challenging obstacles, and my results in life depended on my perspective and level of maturity.

Now, I have shifted my way of thinking, which helps me deal with the hard things much better, especially since I don’t actively create or contribute to negativity as much as I used to.

When nothing major happens, I intentionally get active in what feeds my excitement, including helping someone else, big or small.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
One woman, my grandmother Sarah, introduced me to dance and performing when I was young. I thought I was doing well because it made her happy; however, after her death, while I was still young, I found it became something I needed to survive.

My desire to gain my mother’s love in replacement of my grandmother left me feeling empty and extremely lost and sad.
I eventually left my love of dance for a more destructive way of living. My decisions led me on a rollercoaster of a ride that had me near death or in jail a handful of times over.

I started as a bright-eyed dancer. A kid full of hope and promise. I slowly lost that shine and excitement and lived life grasping at straws. I became a police officer and then had massive struggles with acceptance, abandonment, and alcohol.

There were times when my life was made way more challenging than necessary due to my lack of knowledge and intentionally living through fear and anger.

My life has come full circle, and I know I don’t have to be here. Finally, through pain and misery, I started letting the universe and my grandma guide me in the right direction, trusting that I had and will always have what it takes to continue to live the life of my dreams.

I recently published my first book, an autobiographical novel/ memoir— Running from Yesterday, A True Story of Hope, Courage and Love. 
It tells the story of my life as a dancer and a New York City Police Officer.
It is a coming of age and self forgiveness story that will make anyone want to reconnect to their inner child.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Let’s take a beginner ballet dance class at Tampa City Ballet with my fantastic teacher, Luana Hidalgo. After that, we can have lunch at one of my favorite places, The Oxford Exchange, located in the heart of Tampa near the gorgeous University of Tampa.
Then, for nightlife, I would stroll down the Tampa River Walk and hit a bar, club, or restaurant in Hyde Park or Ybor City.

Other great visits are the Krates at the Groove and Amature Works. Catching a show at the Straz Center or The New Tampa Performing Arts Center is never a bad idea.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
National Dance Institute. Jacques d’Amboise was a principal ballet dancer with the New York City Ballet. He founded NDI and took the program into inner-city schools. The goal was to get more children into the arts through dance and music.

Jacque passed in May of 2021, and I am honored I was able to know him. His legacy and institute live on with the hard work and dedication of his friends and family.

He and his staff saved my life at the time, and to this day, I credit my love of dance to him and the National Dance Institute, along with the rest of my life and art mentors.

Website: https://www.margaretteallyn.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretteallyn/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margarette-allyn/

Image Credits
Kate Hoilliday Photography Yasmeen Anderson Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.