Photo courtesy Salute Society Studio
Tony Carter - Salute Society Studio
Tony Carter - Salute Society Studio
Tucked away in plain sight on MLK Drive, just one block north of North Ave., an undistinguishable single-story building donning minimal signage houses an abundance of talent and an owner with a heart of gold. Salute Society Dance Studio, solely run by owner and Creative Director Tony Carter, could very well be one of the Milwaukee dance community’s best kept secrets.
Step inside, and the modest facade transforms into a carefully crafted studio design intended to stand out. From the Instagram video clips of classes, one could easily assume the mood lighting, 3D walls and chandeliers ascending from the ceiling of this decked out studio is anywhere but Milwaukee. “The goal was to have an elite feel for the black community ... bring the LA feel to Milwaukee,” Carter explains how some small businesses’ interior designs lack visual appeal. He adds, “If you look good, you feel good.”
Besides style, Salute Society offers a spectrum of dance classes from trendy to traditional, including Heels, Hip Hop, Contemporary, K-Pop, Jazz Fusion and Bachata. It also hosts workshops with well-known choreographers, such as Peter Pinnock, who choreographs for the Millennium Tour featuring a star-studded line-up, including R&B singing sensations Omarion and Ashanti. Pinnock discovered Salute Society and reached out to Carter to teach a class during the tour’s stop in Milwaukee.
Jack Harlow || Already Bestfriends Ft Chris Brown || Choreography By Peter Pinnock
Community Building
This is the type of community-building Carter hoped for when he opened the studio. “The goal is to create a platform for artists to showcase their talent,” says Carter. “Everyone feels you need to leave Milwaukee to be successful, my goal is to keep them here.
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“We welcome everyone,” Carter adds. “It's a diverse studio from style to race...” To dance instructors as well! Carter gives anyone who’s passionate an opportunity to teach, from neophytes like Savannah Faith and Jaz Pearl to seasoned choreographers like Christopher Gilbert and Chrissy Morrison.
The irony of Carter’s story is that he isn’t a dancer; his day job is a diamontologist, but his true calling is entrepreneurship. In 2012, with event planning as a long-time side hustle, he decided to circumvent expensive space rentals, and lease the MLK building as event space for himself and other like-minded creatives, right in the heart of Bronzeville. Eventually, the space evolved into Salute Society Dance Studio, three years and counting. Richard Brasfield, dancer, choreographer and founder of local dance group Revamped, was instrumental in helping Carter secure the first crew of dance instructors.
Still an Underdog
Regardless of the impressive decor and skillful instructors, Carter, who’s never received loans or grants for the studio, hasn’t seen any profits from his personal investment, and feels the studio doesn’t get the recognition it needs and deserves, “I came in as an underdog, and I’m still fighting my way out.”
Carter continues, “It's hard being a black-owned business, especially with questions like, ‘Is the neighborhood safe?’” he admits. “And when people first see me, they don't show respect until they learn I’m the owner.”
Despite these challenges, Carter remains hopeful, sticking to his philosophy of investing in people and his community first, believing the money will come later, “I would love for this to be a creative landmark for Milwaukee,” says Carter. “My goal is always to help others to be able to flourish.”
