We recently connected with Brooke Kenny and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brooke, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Growing up in the dance world your body is your instrument. Being much taller than many of the other dancers that I have met or been on a team with has been a challenging aspect of my journey through dance. Being fully aware that I am much taller and starting later led to many different challenges as it took me much longer to learn certain tricks that come easy to others or being put in the back because of my height. Overtime I started to realize that I needed to embrace my height instead of hiding it. I looked for the positives instead of the negatives and started to realize that because I’m so much taller I am able to quickly grab someone’s attention in the room no matter where I am as long as I stand tall and be confident. Not only that but I am able to use my length to create unique lines and extensions to convey emotions, tell a story, and also add new dynamics to the piece. I’ve learned to embrace my uniqueness and help other dancers realize that there can be different standards in dance and it is okay to embrace and recognize the beauty in their differences.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Brooke Kenny, and I am from Orlando, Fl! I fell in love with dance when I first auditioned for my school dance team in 6th grade. I am now 16 years old and have been dancing for 5 years. Although I love all dance styles, My favorite are Contemporary and Jazz. I am on the road to perfecting my technique and continuing to build my artistry throughout 2024. One of my favorite parts about dance is being able to meet and create with new friends as well as being able to learn from such amazing choreographers from all over the world. It’s been an amazing journey so far and I can’t wait to continue learning!!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Teamwork, Adaptability, and Creativity are the top three skills that have been most impactful in my dance journey. These three skills have helped me grow as a dancer over the past five years because you never know who you are working with as well as what style you may be learning. Advice I have is always have a positive mindset and be ready for any challenges that may come your way. Don’t be discouraged if one class doesn’t go as well as you wanted it to because there are many other opportunities that will be presented to you.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I’m having a bad day dancing and I start to feel overwhelmed and stressed, I remind myself to stay positive visualize what I’m doing wrong and how I can fix the corrections. I also remind myself how far I’ve come from when I started dance at the age of 12 to age now age 16, and remember how much I’ve improved in a short amount of time. Just always remember to do it for yourself and no one else, as well as the love you have for dance and the reason you started!!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke.dances27/
- Facebook: Brooke.dances27
- Youtube: Brooke.dances27
- Other: Email – [email protected]
Image Credits
@StudioJolieDance
