Meet Krista Carson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Krista Carson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Krista with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I’d say my work ethic is a product of those who I have witnessed lead by example- both good, & bad. I think the desire to similarly fill shoes like those that you look up to is almost second nature. However, I’ve also seen plenty lead lives that I do not personally desire. There’s something to learn from every person, every experience that you encounter. As much as you can learn about how or what you’d like to strive for, you can equally learn what you do not want to be like, & all of that feeds into how you can be & do your best. Ultimately, you can’t have any regrets if you try, but you’ll have many living a life of “what ifs”. For me, I always want to be able to say that I tried, & that I did my best. Moreover, I love to help others, & if I can have a hand in making a positive impact, no matter the scale, I will be there.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

On paper: A Dance Artist; Performer, Choreographer, Instructor
In practice: Portraying, Creating, & Teaching the art of Dance.

My largest driving factor is a passion for sharing the art of dance, & inclusion in the arts. Being involved with dance in these capacities makes me feel most like myself, & granting others the opportunity to experience it in a variety of ways is a gift. Whether I’m working one-on-one with someone that’s training or trying dance for the first time, or I’m meeting a new group of dancers to keep them moving & exploring, or even performing on behalf of someone else- the fulfillment is immeasurable. Dance is a very human experience, & truly holds something for everyone in some capacity.

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?

I’d say the first thing that impacted me greatly on my journey was that I came to realize that I needed distance from it for a time. Sometimes when you’re so deeply immersed in one thing, it’s easy to lose sight of the “why”: what you love about it, or maybe even need from it. Giving yourself distance is almost like taking a step back to look at the bigger picture, or maybe even just needing a break to realize how much you miss it. Finding that balance & analyzing it as a whole really only leaves you room to grow, (& you’re likely to dive deeper & work that much harder jumping back in than you initially thought possible!)
Second, the passion & work ethic matters. You have to determine what your needs are to keep yourself driven, & that can look different every day. Comparison truly can be the thief of joy, so use the difference to fuel you, not hinder you. Find your strengths, put in your work, (however & wherever you can), & the rest will come. There’s nothing you really have to do in this life, so make the things you dedicate yourself to count!
Lastly, & perhaps cliché, be kind. There’s plenty in this world that is cruel & out of our hands, but what you do, how you act, & who you choose to be is not. Put good out into the world & it will find its way back to you!

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

I’d say the greatest growth I’ve experienced over the past year is stepping into true self-assuredness. Perhaps it’s something that comes with age or time, but I’ve finally uncovered this newfound sense of self that is incredibly freeing. I wouldn’t say that I didn’t trust in myself before, but maybe was a bit more timid in the steps I took? I think I was previously more fearful of making mistakes because I put so much pressure on myself in a lot of the wrong ways. I cared so much about doing & being my best in a way that was doing more harm than good & ultimately holding me back. I never wanted to feel like I was letting myself or anyone else down. But you come to learn that you can hold something too tightly, & it will break. Now, I can navigate & channel that pressure & desire into something stronger; all with the same passion, just with a different perspective. I’d say I feel empowered by who I am & what I have to offer now, even in my mistakes. It’s all a learning experience, a part of the process, & entirely what makes us human.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kncdnc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kncdnc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KNCDNC/

Image Credits

Lynn Lane Photography, Melissa Spurrier Photography, Shea Kendall Photography, Steve Hwang