Today we’d like to introduce you to Kasey Darlene.
Hi Kasey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always had a love for dance since a very young age. When I was little, even living in chilly Michigan for a time, I would dance around in leotards and tutus and dream of The Nutcracker ballet. I trained in ballet for many years and worked very hard at refining my ballet technique. I would go home after dance classes and long rehearsals and do Pilates to take my technique to the next level. Upon graduating high school, I was offered a position with three professional dance companies in the Dallas, Texas, area where I lived at the time. I danced with one of those companies’ part-time while taking college classes, teaching dance classes at a local studio, and training in acting and modeling with Actors, Models, and Talent for Christ. Later, I signed with an agent for acting and modeling and received a certification for personal training and group fitness instruction. I have taught for countless dance studios in the Dallas, Texas area as well as central Florida, worked both part-time and full-time as a personal trainer, booked principal print modeling and commercial gigs, and have been enjoying the Florida sunshine, beaches, and theme parks since 2017. For the past three years, I have taught classes for one specific dance studio called “Becoming Ballet and Barre.” This studio was a Christian-based dance studio specializing in ballet, lyrical, and barre fitness classes which just so happen to be my three strongest suits as an instructor. For five years now, I have dreamed of owning a dance studio, and I knew that if and when that time came, I would decorate it in light pink, black, and white, and it would be an uplifting and welcoming environment. When I walked into Becoming Ballet and Barre and met the previous owner for the first time, I thought, “I don’t know how she has done it, but she has nailed my exact vision for a dance studio.” I never expected to own this specific studio, but when the previous owner approached me about the opportunity, I knew it was an answer to prayer. I wanted to stay true to the studio she has created but still continue to see it grow and become all it is meant to be. I renamed the studio “Believe Ballet and Barre” as I wanted a name that was more all-encompassing to the Christian faith.
Even though owning a dance studio is a lot of work, it does not feel like work because this is truly a combination of all my passions in one. It’s teaching, dancing, choreographing, fitness, decorating, planning, communicating, and so much more! I have always craved the ability to set my own choreography, plan my own shows, choose the costumes, lighting, and ultimately be involved in every step of the process, and this is that opportunity! And not only that, but as the owner of the studio, I can truly dance anytime I want! This studio is such a gift. I remember being a child and experiencing the wonder and amazement of seeing a ballet for the first time and getting to leap across the floor in a real dance class. My goal is to create that same wonderful experience for all of my dancers. There is nothing like the opportunity to learn a skill you are passionate about and to share it with a class you are teaching or with the community in a performance. That is an experience like no other. Dancing makes me feel so alive and I am so blessed to share that experience with all of my dancers.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Something I have learned in my years in the performing arts is truly to try, try again. What many do not realize about this industry is that for every opportunity you find that is for you, there will be many others that are not. This pertains to acting, modeling, dance, teaching, or really anything at all in this industry. You will go on many auditions and pursue many opportunities that just do not turn out the way you expect. And this is normal. You must learn to not take every “no, thank you” to heart and to be patient for the opportunities that are your “YES!” Not only that, but you must allow the opportunities that do not work out the way you expect to teach you and assist you in growing as a performer. This is a difficult concept to learn for many, but those who truly succeed in their dreams are not those who experienced a perfect journey in getting there but those who did not give up.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are a Christian-based dance studio offering ballet, pointe, lyrical, musical theater, acro dance, preschool classes, and barre fitness. Ballet is the foundation of all dance and is, therefore the technical foundation of this studio. We recommend that all of our students attend a ballet class in addition to their other classes, and we require consistent ballet training of our Believe Performing Company dancers. All of our classes are an uplifting and welcoming environment. We encourage our students to grow through positive affirmation, and any corrections given are never presented in a demeaning manner. We want to see our students grow not only as dancers but as confident young people. We strive to provide excellent dance training all while investing in our students’ entire well-being.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My mom has always been my biggest fan and biggest supporter. She would always attend my performances growing up and sit front and center in the audience. In fact, sometimes I wonder if she is sometimes more happy for me than I am for myself when I succeed. My ballet instructor growing up, has always believed in me. Truthfully, I do not think I would be where I am today if she had not. She saw something in me that I did not see in myself and caused me to step out and pursue my dreams, knowing that she had confidence in me even when I questioned my own ability.
I have many friends and family, as well as students and their parents, who have supported us through their kind words, prayers, and actions. I am so grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: believeballetandbarre.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believeballetandbarre/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believeballetandbarre
