As I begin my 12th season with Kansas City Ballet, the thing that has kept me inspired and drawn to dancing is the movement itself. Dancing is filled with artistry and connection without the need for words. These aspects drew me in at the age of 4 when I started dancing with my twin sister at a local ballet school, and what moves me even more now is sharing this movement with all of you.
This season will be very special since we are revisiting Devon Carney’s Swan Lake. It is a ballet I’ve had the privilege of performing twice before, and each time it brings new discovery and growth. To me, Swan Lake represents the timelessness and storytelling of classical ballet. When I step on stage, especially in a shiny new pair of pointe shoes and beautiful swan tutu, the music makes my movement feel expansive yet soft. It is a perfect way to open our season.
One of the things I also love about ballet is how it meshes tradition and innovation. A single performance can range from elegant classics to bold contemporary works, and this is a place where my soul thrives. Taking the audience on this journey with me is one of my favorite aspects of dancing, and the Stars and Stripes program holds a mix of ballets I’ve dreamt of performing as well.
As the company returns to the studio this season, the studios are filled with joy and anticipation. Kansas City has become my home, and I feel grateful to be a part of this incredible community that deeply embraces the arts. I can’t wait to share this season with all of you and let the movement carry us through!
Are you ready to be part of this season’s momentum? Join us in carrying the movement forward and ensuring the arts continue to thrive in Kansas City. Contact Kristin Castle, Kansas City Ballet Chief Philanthropy Officer, at 816.216.5585 or kcastle@kcballet.org to explore how you can make an impact this season.
Header image: Kansas City Ballet dancer Marisa DeEtte Whiteman.
All photos by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios.
