When Michelle Soutier, owner of Miller Street Dance Academy, walked into her studio in April 2026, her students and staff quickly noticed something was different about her. The pink wig she was wearing grabbed their attention, which was what she had intended. 

Soutier, who is known for her philanthropic efforts, was wearing the wig as part of the Wiggin’ Out fundraiser sponsored by Carolina Breast Friends. And before the month was out, she would use the wig to raise more than $66,000 for breast cancer research and support.

The amount Soutier raised through Wiggin’ Out was remarkable. But what made it extra special for her was the fact that she didn’t raise it alone. The students at Miller Street, who are also known for their philanthropy, joined Soutier in the effort, raising funds while also learning about the value of community service.

“Seeing that we could raise that kind of money in such a short amount of time really gave me a sense of pride,” Soutier says. “Our goal at Miller Street is to develop confident, well-rounded dancers who value discipline, academic excellence, and community involvement. To see them get excited and motivated to participate with me in Wiggin’ Out was really exciting.”

Soutier established Miller Street Dance Academy in 1994 with the goal of raising the bar in dance education. She wanted a curriculum that would teach her students to move through life with integrity, grace, and confidence. Giving them opportunities to experience the joy of giving through volunteerism became a key component of that curriculum.

“We say at Miller Street that community service is the heartbeat of our studio,” shares Soutier. “What we accomplished for Carolina Breast Friends shows that it’s really true. I’m so thankful and blessed to have the opportunity to teach our students not only how to dance but also how to serve their community. The way they embraced this opportunity was really special to see.”

Soutier believes no one should face breast cancer alone

The Wiggin’ Out campaign invites 12 “Big Wigs” and their support teams to rally their communities and raise funds and awareness. By putting on pink wigs and stepping out, the Big Wigs help ensure that everyone diagnosed with breast cancer has a support network to lean on.

Soutier, who was one of the 2026 Big Wigs, had experienced the value of cancer support firsthand. She is an 18-year breast cancer survivor who underwent a bilateral mastectomy in 2009. 

“When you hear a doctor tell you that you have breast cancer, it changes everything,” Soutier says. “I know the fear, uncertainty, and emotional toll of it all firsthand. And I know how powerful it is to feel supported. Raising money for Carolina Breast Friends was deeply personal to me because I personally know how having a community around you can make a very difficult season a little more manageable.”

Soutier reached her fundraising goal by mobilizing her Miller Street Dance Academy students

When Soutier agreed to be a Big Wig, she set a goal of raising $60,000. Individually, she raised approximately $36,000. The rest of the fundraising, which pushed her past her goal and to $66,619, was done by her students.

“My fundraising strategy relied heavily on rallying my dance studios, friends, family, and community,” Soutier says. “I believed we could reach our goal through movement — not just on the dance floor, but in our community. As the dancers, parents, and other supporters came together, it created an incredible momentum.”

To motivate her dancers, Soutier put together a lineup of inspiring events, including a festival featuring performers, food, and family fun. She also gave them a way to join her in her attention-grabbing hair transformation.

“We came up with something for the dancers we called ‘wiglets’ — pink hair extensions they could wear to rally their family and friends,” Soutier shares. “We made it a high-energy, high-impact opportunity for them, giving them each their own fundraising page and presenting awards to those who raised the most funds.”

Those who know Soutier won’t be surprised to hear she plans to raise more funds in support of Caroline Breast Friends. She’s currently organizing a variety show and silent auction to be held in November 2026. Her goal is to raise $100,000 through the event.

“To be honest, wearing that pink wig was very uncomfortable,” Soutier admits. “I didn’t look very good in it, but it was still extremely rewarding. And if the campaign helped even one woman feel more supported and less afraid, every moment in the wig was worth it.”

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