Lifestyle

“You Don’t Need a Degree to Make it Big,” says Social Influencer Ryan Sprance

Published

6 years ago

October 11, 2019

It’s a familiar refrain: you need a college degree to reach the highest echelons of success. The worlds of business and profitable creativity are closed off to you without it. The ceiling is more or less set. Ryan Sprance thinks differently, though.

He has good reason to. Sprance didn’t graduate from college. In 2013 he was a manager at an Apple store, albeit the largest one in the world. Now, six years later, he is emerging as one of the most dynamic and talked about names in digital media and marketing.

His Kaihatsu Media, founded in 2016, has gone from around USD 1,000 in sales each month in the spring of 2018, to over USD 70,000 by the spring of 2019, and is on track to rake in over a million dollars in monthly sales by the end of the year. Also, in 2019, he was invited to join the Forbes Agency Council -a collective of invitation-only communities of exceptional business owners and leaders -run by Forbes magazine.

Given the speed with which he has achieved his success, it wouldn’t be wrong to assume that Sprance has an Ivy League degree attached to his name. But, as mentioned before, it was all done without a college degree. Which is not to say the journey from one end to the next has not been challenging, or that Sprance did not need to know what he was talking about. And he certainly sees nothing wrong with going to college. It would appear that Sprance’s training came primarily through his willingness to teach himself.

“I’ve worked hard to educate myself by studying every aspect of digital media,” says Sprance. “Working at an Apple store as a manager, I needed to know a lot about tech and the uses of the web. But with computers and the internet, things are changing so quickly. You always need to be learning new skills, discovering new ways of looking at business.”

Indeed, the rapid changes in how people learn and find information, brought on by the advent of the internet and social media, has revolutionized both business and education. Exactly how isn’t clear, partly because these changes happen so fast. Sprance’s story, however, provides something of an answer.”

I think if my story shows anything, it is that a lot of the old rules have been tossed out regarding one’s path to making it big. Personally, I think if you are willing to learn, then you don’t need an institution to give her permission regarding how to use your own knowledge.”

Lifestyle

Why Classical Dance Is Thriving on Instagram

Published

20 hours ago

April 28, 2025

Michelle Langton

For centuries, classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathak have been treasured for their elegance, complexity, and storytelling prowess. But in recent years, these age-old traditions have found an unlikely stage: Instagram. From intricate mudras to rhythmic footwork, young dancers are captivating audiences worldwide, all in the span of a 60-second reel.

So, what’s fueling this revival of classical dance on a platform known for trends, filters, and viral challenges?

Instagram, with its visual-first format, has become an ideal space for artists to share their craft. Classical dance, rich in visual storytelling, translates beautifully into bite-sized performances that are accessible and engaging for modern audiences.

“Reels are short enough to grab attention but long enough to convey the essence of a classical piece,” says one of Spardha’s dance teachers, actively creating dance videos for the Instagram page of Spardha School of Music and Dance, an online platform for performing arts education. “You don’t need an elaborate stage or hours of performance; a simple backdrop and good lighting can bring your art to life.”

On Instagram, young dancers bring a fresh approach to traditional art. They skillfully blend classical compositions with trending audio tracks, often choreographing pieces that resonate with younger audiences.

These videos show how classical dance can be relevant in today’s world as young artists reinterpret popular songs in classical style. Such performances respect the tradition, make it accessible to a larger audience by making classical dance relatable.

Social media has also given classical dancers something they’ve never had before: a global audience. Platforms like Instagram allow Indian artists to reach audiences in the U.S., Europe, and beyond, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation.

And the feedback loop is immediate. Unlike traditional performances, which are confined to auditoriums and limited audiences, Instagram reels receive likes, comments, and shares in real time, creating a sense of community and encouraging more engagement.

The rise of online platforms for learning music and dance like Spardha School of Music and Dance has further fueled this trend. Spardha provides structured lessons in classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam and Kathak, and even Bollywood, making them accessible to young learners regardless of their location.

“Many of our students have taken what they’ve learned and showcased it online,” says a representative from Spardha. “It’s incredible to see them not just learn the art but also innovate and present it in ways that inspire others.”

By offering online classes, Spardha ensures that classical dance is no longer restricted to physical studios, enabling dancers to connect with their culture through dance no matter where they are in the world.

The success of classical dance on Instagram lies in its ability to blend heritage with modernity. The younger generation, armed with smartphones and a passion for preserving their roots, is making classical dance both aspirational and accessible.

Dance has always been about expression, and Instagram is just a new way of reaching people.