Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Belle
Hi Katrina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a local content creator, and I am also a classically trained ballerina. I grew up in Orlando and I was a student at Orlando Ballet School for 10 years under scholarship, where I performed in works such as Swan Lake, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, Don Quixote, Bournonville’s Napoli & A Midsummer’s Night Dream. I was also the second youngest student to be cast in Artistic Director Fernando Bujones’ Jazz Swing. While I was a student, I performed in the annual Nutcracker performances with Orlando Ballet & when I was in high school, I was cast in adult roles such as a Candy Cane. Even though I suffered a knee and ankle injury, I continued my training. I competed in the Youth American Grand Prix ballet competition, and I was a finalist 2 years in a row. The first year I was a finalist for Bournonville’s Flower Festival variation, & the second year for my performance of Esmeralda. My school also won best school at the Youth American Grand Prix & I was honored to perform in the group piece Drigo with my fellow students at New York City Center. I was one of the first students in the competition to choreograph their own contemporary work. One piece was titled “Caribbean Blue” & the third was titled “Black & White Town”. My second piece was titled “Mad World” & it was in honor of my cousin Sadiki, who was tragically killed in a car crash as a teenager. His mother my aunt Dr Rosemarie, in conjunction with North Carolina’s First Lady Mary Easley, created “Operation Drive to Live” to raise awareness and to help reduce crashes involving teen drivers. I also studied at Milwaukee Ballet’s & Alvin Ailey’s summer intensives under partial scholarship. I was accepted into Fordham University’s Bachelor of Arts program in dance, but I continued my ballet career after high school at Vassar College with a full tuition scholarship. I auditioned for and became a cast member of Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre, and I was honored to be the only freshman girl in the 1st cast of Balanchine’s Valse Fantasie.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I had to spend a few years without dance due to injuries and my health, and that is when I discovered social media. I started my blog as a way to express myself creatively as I needed a creative outlet. I have been posting about fashion makeup and skincare, food and baking, and fun things to do in Orlando since ’16.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
It’s so much fun to not only be creative but also to connect with people from all over the world, to work with brands like Disney and Warner Brothers, and to walk the runway for Orlando fashion brands. I have recently started posting more about dance, and I had my first ballroom dance performance this summer! So, it’s never too late to return to what you are passionate about in life.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
You might not know that I have a famous aunt. My aunt Karen is a singer, dancer and actress. She performed as a singer with Mary Wilson of the Supremes’ tour for many years. She has also worked with other pop stars like Janet Jackson, David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Smokey Robinson. She is featured in one of Smokey Robinson’s music videos “Just to See Her”. She’s retired from show business now and is living in Orlando, Florida.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katrinabellebeauty/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katrinabellebeauty/
Image Credits:
Katrina Belle
