Meet our amazing dancers and get to know more about them in our Dancer Spotlight Series! This month we are highlighting our own Kelly Anderson – Company Member, Blog Manager, and Social Media Manager!

Name: Kelly Anderson

Age: 23

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

Favorite Color: YELLOW – the happiest of the colors!

Favorite Style of Dance: Contemporary

Favorite Choreographer: I’m always blown away by the creative and theatrical work of Crystal Pite, but I also love the intricate, quick, and detailed work of Aszure Barton. The female choreographers in our industry inspire me!

When did you start dancing?: I started taking dance recreationally when I was 4 – my mom said I never stopped dancing or moving. I didn’t take my training more seriously until middle school when I began competing at local dance competitions. I never expected to become a professional dancer, I was nowhere near a “natural” but I loved it so much and always gave it my all!

College: Western Michigan University! A proud Bronco. I graduated with a BFA in dance and a minor in Social Psychology.

Siblings: I have two older brothers who are both married. My oldest brother has 3 sons and I am the most proud Aunt of those sweet little boys!

Why do you feel passionate about dance?: Oh, for so many reasons it’s such a challenge to narrow it down. It’s fascinating to me how much dance can form confidence in people of all ages. Dance has truly shaped me into who I am today. Dance has made me more confident, responsible and prompt, disciplined in my craft, and passionate about sharing dance with others. It’s given me an endless amount of energy and allowed me to shine bright in all that I do. I always aim to not let dance define who I am, but rather recognize that dance has helped me to love who I am as a person. I am forever grateful for that.

If you weren’t a dancer, what career would you choose?: SO tough. Part of me feels like I would love to own my own business, but I also know I would have to be active in whatever I do (I literally cannot sit still for more than 10 minutes straight!!). I also love fashion and shopping and could definitely see myself diving into that world if dance wasn’t involved. BUT – I love kids too and would want them to be a part of my career as well. I guess the answer is I DON’T KNOW. There are a lot of options, but nothing ever truly outweighed my passion for dance.

If you could do a duet with one person, who would it be?: ANYONE. I love partnering and think it’s so interesting to watch. Honestly, though, I’d probably go back in time and do a duet with my college friend Alyssa Brutlag. We were always so silly together and had a few iconic moments in college improvisation classes. We really trusted each other, took risks, and didn’t shy away from being ridiculous and carefree.

Favorite place you’ve traveled: I loved traveling to Panama with a student organization called Movement Exchange. We taught dance to underserved children in the area AND I got to brush up on my Spanish while there! When I was younger, though, I traveled to Alaska and that was so beautiful and different from anywhere else I’ve ever been!

Favorite food: I love taco dip as a snack and my BIGGEST weakness is ice cream!

One word to describe yourself: Efficient

If you had a dance move that described you, what would it be?: The deepest grand plie in a parallel second position 🙂

Fun Facts: My family makes fun of my gross dancer feet constantly, I snort when I laugh too hard, my all time favorite movie is Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement with Pride & Prejudice as a close 2nd, I wish I could sing, I own way too many clothes for my own good, I was on Nickelodeon’s Kid’s Pick the President when I was 10 years old, and both my brothers are 6’4″ when I’m only 5’3″ 🙂

 

Thanks for getting to know Kelly & check back for more blogs to come!!