Kristen

A little about Kristen:

• Where are You From? “Swoyersville, PA.”

• Did you come from a family that was already interested in dance? “No, although my mother was very much into dancing once I became a student. She loved making my costumes and finding fun music for my dances.”

Life as a dancer:

• What is the most memorable performance you’ve seen? “My most memorable performance was finally seeing the Martha Graham Dance Company perform live while I was in college in Pittsburgh. (Her work is my favorite of the contemporary classics!) I had seen many videos of the company’s work, studied the technique, read books about Martha Graham and her history, and had a professor who was a member of the company and had told us numerous tales. The dancers were extraordinary, as well as the costumes and stage design. It was everything I had hoped it would be. To see Appalachian Spring performed on stage was incredible. The only thing that could have been better was to see Martha Graham herself on stage!”

• Why did you first become interested in dance? “My parents took me to class supposedly because I danced in front of the TV all the time. They said I loved the Solid Gold dancers!”

• When did you begin studying dance? “I was four when I started class.”

• What performances, when looking back on your years in dance, you would you name as your highest points? “My highest point in performance was during a production of Moonlight Interior with YC Movement Theater. The show was performed in a small theater off Broadway in NYC. It was the first time performing professionally that I felt the dancing was really a true extension of my own personality, because the choreographer had developed the emotional side of the work so completely. It was so much fun to perform, and I remember at one point during the performance thinking – ‘This is it, this is why I dance!’”

• Is there a specific dancer, choreographer, or even a composer, who has inspired you as a dancer? “I’ve been inspired by so many dancers and choreographers along the road. You can learn so much from watching other dancers and teachers. I would have to say Yo-el Cassell, a choreographer I worked with in New York has been the most inspirational, not only because of his own love and talent the art of dance, but for challenging me to dance from a real place inside myself, and to indulge in what I love so much about dancing.”

Working in dance:

• For how many years have you taught dance? “I’ve been teaching dance for 12 years.”

• How would you compare the pressures and responsibilities of performing and teaching? Which role do you prefer? “Each is so very different. As much as I love being on stage, I actually feel more comfortable in my role as a teacher. I enjoy sharing dance with others through teaching, and it is so satisfying to see a student progress. The pressures and responsibilities of teaching often have to do with finding creative ways to engage your students and make them interested in learning. But that is something I tend to have fun with and enjoy.”

• When it comes to dance and the dance industry, you are often the go-to person for advice on…? “What to wear! One of my many roles in the dance industry is working in marketing for the dancewear industry for the last several years. I get to know first hand what new leotards, shoes, tights, etc. the dancewear industry is creating. So it is easy for me to suggest the best new products to my students, fellow dancers, and other dance teachers.”