We were lucky to catch up with Scarlet Grace recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Scarlet , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I think I’m still trying to find it. But I’m getting there! During COVID I truly realized how much I valued having dance as a part of my life. Not being able to take classes and perform made me appreciate it ten times more. So going back into it, I wanted to approach as not just something I do as a hobby, I wanted it to be the focus of my life. To learn and perform just as much as I watch and teach.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Scarlet Nixon Klein, I am a dancer and choreographer living in NYC. I study commercial dance at the Peridance Center. I’ve been dancing since I was child living in Washington state, I grew up in children’s theaters and community classes until I was old enough to be the teacher. I worked as a choreographer with children and community theaters for five years until COVID stopped all performances. It was during COVID that I realized how important dance was to me and how central it was to my life. I knew that coming out of COVID I wanted to put a real focus on my dance career and take it more seriously than I ever had. I decided that I wanted to learn more and expand my horizons as a dancer and choreographer, which meant I would have to go to school. Growing up homeschooled I immediately faced so many doubts and fears that I had about going to school, would I be capable? Was I good enough? I put myself to work rehearsing nonstop for months working on my auditions. It was my audition with The Peridance Center in NYC that landed me the spot as one of their students in the Professional Commercial Track. Being in New York has done everything I could have ever dreamed for. It’s given me a packed schedule where I get to learn and perform every style of dance imaginable. I also have incredible teachers who have so much hands on experience working with the best of the best. The two year program has elevated me to be a better dancer than I ever thought possible.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
First of all, having a great support system changes everything. Having a group of people who you know you can turn to, whether it be to voice your emotions or concerns, give you encouragement, or just to listen to what you have to say and give advice. Also, being grounded in your plans. Having an end goal in sight and grounding yourself to see it through, your dreams aren’t a dream, they are a possible future. The more you think of it as a reality the easier it becomes to take the necessary steps. And finally, knowing that you are valid and worthy of your goals. You may not be the best person in the room, but you belong in the room. Nobody has lived the life you have lived, your actions and your skills brought you to this moment. You are supposed to be there. That feeling of validity makes it so much more rewarding to grow within that space.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
For me, my confidence and social skills are what have grown the most. Despite all of the physical training, technique, and knowledge I have gained; at the end of the day, moving across the country to a brand new area where I have no friends or family has forced me to come out of my shell and grow more confident. It’s always a struggle, there will always be an uphill battle, but every day I get better and I can feel it in myself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @miss.scarletgrace
Image Credits
Emily K Photography Studio K Portraits Porter Harris
