Meet the Dancer Series: Kylie Wright

Meet company apprentice dancer Kylie!

Kylie began dancing in her hometown as has gone on to train with Richmond Ballet and Ballet Theatre of Maryland. She is studying Dance and Nutrition at Anne Arundel Community College.

Continue reading to learn more about Kylie!

Astrological Sign Sagittarius

Favorite Food Honeycrisp apples

Favorite Color Yellow

Favorite Book To Kill a Mockingbird

Favorite Movie It's A Wonderful Life

Favorite Music Artist Taylor Swift

Favorite Place to Be With friends

If you were a dinosaur, which dinosaur would you be? Brontosaurus

Tell us about your dance background and training: I trained at two different local studios in my hometown of Staunton, VA, moved to Richmond to be a trainee with Richmond Ballet, moved to Annapolis to be a trainee with Ballet Theatre of Maryland, and am now studying dance at Anne Arundel Community College and dancing with Misako Ballet Company!

What genre of dance is your favorite? Why? I would say that contemporary is my favorite because it has the same elegant beauty as ballet but is more free and fun to perform.

What is your favorite full length ballet/variation/performance? Why? I love Sleeping Beauty for the stunning technical beauty of Aurora's choreography, and for the music. I always love watching the Act 3 Black Swan coda from Swan Lake, and my favorite performance I've done was as a swan corps in my high school studio's production of The Swan Princess.

Why do you dance? Movement feels good to the soul! I've danced for so long that it is now internally a part of me and it would be so hard to leave it. There have been times in my life when I wasn't as passionate about dance, but dance is always something I want to return to and I am so grateful to have it in my life.

If you wear pointe shoes, what kind do you wear? I have worn Suffolk Stellars for years and years. I love them!

What other jobs/activities/talents/passions do you pursue? I love my other job as a crew member at Trader Joe's, and in addition to dance I am also studying nutrition at the local community college. I hope to one day help dancers/athletes with their nutrition! I also love singing, playing piano and guitar, and knitting or sewing :)

Meet the Dancer Series: Casie Curry

Meet company apprentice dancer Casie!

Casie is studying dance and environmental horticulture at the University of Maryland and dances with Ballet M. She has trained at The Dance Academy of Severna Park and Chesapeake Ballet Company. Casie also works as a barre instructor!

Continue reading to learn more about Casie!

Astrological Sign Scorpio

Favorite Food Icecream

Favorite Color Pink

Favorite Book* The Having

Favorite Movie The Princess Bride

Favorite Musical Artist Surfaces

Favorite Place to Be Any Garden

If you were a dinosaur, which dinosaur would you be? Microraptor

Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about it/them! Elvis! He's my 7 year old Shih Tzu with white and black spots

Tell us about your dance background and training: I was Captain of Old Mill High Schools Dance Comany and I did my ballet and modern training at The Dance Academy of Severna Park. I did a summer intensive at Point Park and was a Maryland All State dancer for two years.

What genre of dance is your favorite? Why? Modern. Whenever I do modern, I feel strong and in control of my body.

What is your favorite full length ballet/variation/performance? Why? The Nutcracker always holds a special place in my heart since that was my introduction to ballet.

Why do you dance? For the artistic expression and the amazing community.

If you wear pointe shoes, what kind do you wear? Russian Pointe, Muse

What other jobs/activities/talents/passions do you pursue? Im interested in plant biology, I hope to also work at a garden one day!

Meet the Dancer Series: Maddy Chen

Maddy is studying Nutritional Science, General Biology, and Chinese Language at the University of Maryland. She has been dancing wtih Misako Ballet Studio for the past 9 years and also dances with Ballet Company M at UMD.

Continue reading to learn more about Maddy!

Astrological Sign Leo

Favorite Food Strawberries

Favorite Color Purple

Favorite Book 1984

Favorite Movie Lilo and Stitch

Inspirational Quote "Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world." -Matilda, Roald Dahl

Favorite Musical Genre Rock

Favorite Place to Be Wherever my family is

If you were a dinosaur, which dinosaur would you be? Ankylosaurus

Tell us about your dance background and training: 3-5 years old at some ballet studio, 1st-5th grade at an after school ballet class, 9 years at Misako Ballet Studio, 3 year at Ballet Company M (UMD's student run performing ballet company)

What genre of dance is your favorite? Why? Ballet because I am more familiar with the style

What is your favorite full length ballet/variation/performance? Why? Peter Pan because that was during my senior year of high school. I had a lot of fun with my friends acting out the characters from Peter Pan.

Why do you dance? I dance to clear my mind. Dance is my preferred mode of exercise as well.

If you wear pointe shoes, what kind do you wear? Suffolk and sometimes Freed

What other jobs/activities/talents/passions do you pursue? Baking, gardening, technician at a plant pathology lab, becoming a nurse practitioner, researching about nutrition during cancer treatments

Meet the Dancer Series, Special Guest Artist: Aaron Robertson

We are ecstatic to welcome Aaron Robertson back as a special guest dancer with our company!

Aaron, a lifelong mover, took his first ballet class in college (at Towson University) and graduated with a degree in Dance Performance/Choreography. He especially loves the combination of sass and upbeat physicality that Jazz requires of dancers.

Continue reading to learn more about Aaron!

Astrological Sign: Capricorn

Favorite Food: Dumplings

Favorite Color: Seafoam Green

Favorite Book: The Alchemist

Favorite Movie: The Hunger Games

Inspirational Quote: “It’s okay to be a glowstick: Sometimes we have to break before we shine.”

Favorite Music/Artist/Band/Musical Genre: 90s R&B/Slow Jams

Favorite Place to Be: With friends having mimosas or margaritas. Also Amusement parks because roller coasters and water attractions are super fun.

If you were a dinosaur, which dinosaur would you be? Pterodactyl because of the pink power ranger lol but also because it’d be fun to fly.

Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about it/them! I have a dog! His name is Aladdin and he’s a miniature poodle!

Tell us about your dance background and training: I started dancing when I got to college(that’s where I took my first Ballet class ever with Runqiao Du). Graduated from Towson University with a degree in Dance Performance/Choreography.

What genre of dance is your favorite? Why? I love Jazz! The elements of sass, complimented with the physicality and upbeat movement is so much fun to watch and perform!

What is your favorite full length ballet/variation/performance? Why? I love The Nutcracker! So fun, and so many characters to love and appreciate and the music is so energizing. Keeps me happy and jolly for the holidays!

Why do you dance? Personal growth and expression. Being able to be vulnerable in front of an audience and share myself with them and my fellow dancers is an amazing feeling.

If you wear pointe shoes, what kind do you wear? Don’t wear pointe shoes sadly, but would love to find some that would fit my big feet lol. My ballet shoes are the SoDanca canvas split sole ballet shoe.

What other jobs/activities/talents/passions do you pursue? I LOVE playing volleyball (indoor & outdoor)! Always love competing against other athletes in tournaments on weekends.