Trainee and member of Kansas City Ballet’s Second Company, Grace Reed was born in New Mexico but grew up in Texas and Kansas City. She was invited to become a KCB Trainee while attending Kansas City Ballet School.
Q: TELL US WHY YOU BECAME A DANCEr.
A: Growing up, my brother (who now has a major in Piano Performance) was constantly practicing his piano pieces. You could always find me dancing around behind him as he played. Because my mom saw how inspired I was by my brother’s music, she decided to enroll me in ballet classes. Since then, I am still finding inspiration to dance.
Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT DANCING?
A: When I am not dancing, I love to spend my time reading, knitting, exploring nature, or watching movies with my family. I love getting to dance, but sometimes you have to do “normal people” things to help you enrich what you get to do in the studio.
Q: WHAT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE WOULDN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
A: A current FBI agent once recommended that I look into pursing a career as an agent after viewing my marksmanship at the shooting range.
Q: WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BALLET?
A: I always find new things to enjoy about ballet, even if I have seen a certain piece a hundred times. Ballet itself is always challenging me to accomplish things I never thought I could.
Q: WHAT WAS THE BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED?
A: The best dancing advice I have ever received is from one of my teachers, Claudio Munoz. He once told me to “Dance like you’re wearing a Versace or Oscar de la Renta gown.” Because I love looking at gowns from those designers, it immediately made sense to me how I should carry myself during the certain piece he was coaching me on at the time. Since then, I have reminded myself of those words whenever I have felt unsure of myself while dancing.
Top Photo by Savanna Daniels.