Meet Kansas City Ballet Company Dancer, Kaleena Burks. She’s danced with KCB since the 2010-11 season and recently danced the role of Glinda the Good Witch in Septime Webre’s world premiere of The Wizard of Oz at the Kauffman Center Oct. 12-21, 2018.
Q: TELL US WHY YOU BeCAME A DANCER.
A: My mother put me in ballet classes when I was young, and I fell in love with dance from there.
Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT DANCING?
A: When I’m not dancing I very much enjoy relaxing at home and reading a good book.
Q: WHAT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE WOULDN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
A: Most people probably don’t know that I’m an avid crocheter.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SNACK?
A: My go to snack while dancing will always be a banana. It’s the perfect food to nourish you and give you energy.
Q: WHAT IS THE BEST DANCING ADVICE YOU RECEIVED AND WHY?
A: Someone once told me when I was having a bad day, “Kaleena, everyday can’t be Christmas.” That has really stuck with me throughout my career. As much as we all want to be at our best every single day, sometimes our body fights against us. The key to being a successful ballerina is learning how to make the days special and worthwhile that aren’t Christmas.
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Top Photo by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios
