Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Johnson.
Established in 2003, Cheer Girl Entertainment has become one of the leading providers of choreography in the Tampa Bay area as well as nationally. CGE was founded by Carla C. Johnson M.Ed., alumna NFL and AFL Cheerleader Captain, AFL, ABA, NIFA, AIFA Pro Cheerleading and Dance Team Director and Choreographer. CGE has become a notable provider of impeccable talent, stage productions, freelance choreography, and facilitator of dancer and cheerleader camps. CGE directs dance conventions to include Boot Camp Dance (BCD) and Pro Cheer Prep, a professional sports dancer and cheerleader auditions prep program. Both hosted in Tampa, FL. Notable clients include the NFL, NFL Alumni, AFL, ABA, AAL, NIFL, AIFA, MLB, MMA-XFC, Home Shopping Network, Firestone Grand Prix, Ferman BMW/Mini, Tampa Fashion Week, Improv Comedy Club, University of Tampa, YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, City of Tampa, Girl Scouts of America and more! Carla is the current NFL Alumni Tampa Bay Chapter’s Cheerleader Coordinator, NFL Alumni Tampa Bay Chapter Alumni Advisory Board member, Director of the USA Cheereleaders.org Florida Division, Creative Director of Tendu Ballet Repertoire, Creative Director of the Pro Cheerleader Development League, an organization with members both nationally and internationally training to become professional cheerleaders in professional sports. Cheer Girl Entertainment and Game Day Glamorous are the homes of THE PRO CHEERLEADER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE, THE QUAD GIRLS, THE TAMPA BAY TORNADOES AAL ARENA FOOTBALL CHEERLEADERS, GLAMFIT DANCE FIT PROGRAM, KYIKELS, GLAMNATION APPAREL AND GDG TALENT MANAGEMENT COMPANIES.
Company Members have appeared on the hit USA Network’s show Graceland, E! Network, The Late Show with David Letterman and more! Cheer Girl Entertainment – Game has trained and produced numerous professional dancers and cheerleaders nationally for pro sports teams, stage productions, film and industrials. It is the home of Bellissima Pro Cheerleaders Alumni, Coterie performance squad and the MMA-XFC Cage Dolls Dancers. Game Day Glamorous is CGE’s sister organization developed BY Pro Cheerleaders FOR Pro Cheerleaders. GDG is the home of the new Pro Cheerleader Development League, providing training to Pro Cheerleader hopefuls in three markets(Tpa, MIA and Jacksonville). PCDL Training is comprehensive and prepares candidates in the area of performance instruction, public relations, on-camera readiness skills. Both the Pro Cheer Prep and PCDL programs have produced candidates that have made it on to the squads of the pro sports entertainment sidelines. Carla is a member of the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, established in 1913, providing assistance and support through established programming in local communities and throughout the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a grassroots company, the challenges are evident. As a sole proprietor and a wearer of many hats, the tasks are massive. From top to bottom, the day to day operations on the logistics side coupled with the creative programming and artistic direction side have been challenging to balance along with homelife and an outside career. As a tenured business educator of 17 years, I have learned that building a team to support the vision of the brands is difficult. I lean heavily on my educational background to research, cultivate and motivate the talent that I have folded into the team. It is not easy letting go, the companies are my babies. The fact is, you must develop a strong resource group is essential. A strong Administrative group is essential. A strong trust is essential. Marketing to a demographic that is strong in numbers can make you a small fish in a large pond. My goal has always been to develop a strong company foundation, rich with a vision of providing dance and entertainment experiences that are different from “typical” dance studio experiences. My tenure in professional sports, as well as products of those cultivated relationships and opportunities I bring to the forefront in the programming I develop.
We’ve been impressed with Cheer Girl Ent. Llc – Game Day Glamorous , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
PRO CHEERLEADER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE – We are the home of the Pro Cheerleader Development League, a fully comprehensive program is preparing candidates for the professional sports entertainment sidelines. Candidates participate in a three to six month training program that prepares them in the areas of ambassadorship, interview skills, life skills, personal appearance and fitness tips, dance technique, skills training, and more! As a member of the Super Bowl XXXVII Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders, I led the team on and off the field as team Captain, Choreographer, community appearances lead and more! POM STARS – A youth pro cheer program dedicated to bringing the professional cheerleader sideline experience to youth dancers and cheerleaders ages 7-12. This program cultivates your cheerleaders interested in a behind the scenes look at what it takes to be a PRO cheerleader. The group makes appearances and performs in community events. They also participate in photoshoots and video shoots. @gdgdancetampa #pomstarstpa FaceBook PomStars THE QUAD – Creative Director – Triple threat industry performance group. Performances and appearances on a national level. @gdgquadgirls #gdgquadsquad KYI KELS Manager @kyiels INDUSTRY KIDS – Industry program for youth ages 7-16 looking to get into the showbiz world! Classes offered are one to one consultations on script reading, lines execution, dance training, vocal assistance and more! USACHEERLEADERS.ORG- FLORIDA DIVISION DIRECTOR – Creative Director for the group. Group has the sole mission of supporting our US Military Veterans and families through philanthropic endeavors to include the Veteran Pen pal program, working in tandem with organizations to donate food assistance to the military families in the area.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Mentorship for me has come from each person I have worked with. Having an eye for opportunities and what will work for your personal brand has been a journey for me. I am grateful for each and every experience which has brought me closer and closer to a clear vision of what the company should be.
Contact Info:
- Email: gdglamorous@gmail.com
- Website: gamedayglamorous.com
- Instagram: @gdgdancetampa
- Facebook: Cheer Girl Entertainment and Game Day Glamorous – Pro Cheerleader Development League
- Twitter: @gdgdancetampa @pomqueencj
- Youtube: youtube.com/cheergirlent and Game Day Glamorous – YouTube
- Other: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1ivgyxyHpnk
Image Credits:
Aramis Jackson @Officialunityent 813-629-2003
