Meet Kristyn Burtt of Dance Network

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristyn Burtt.

Kristyn, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up, my days were filled with school and dance lessons, beginning at the age of four. I was one of those kids who was happiest in the dance studio, especially if it was ballet or a musical theatre dance class. I continued my studies at Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and at Duke University’s American Dance Festival. When I graduated, I performed professionally, but I wasn’t as passionate about auditioning to get a job.

Everything changed when I was hired to host a children’s dance video on how to Electric Slide and Hokey Pokey that my ambitions shifted. I had a blast, and the video did extremely well. It got me thinking that with training, I might be able to shift my career in this direction.

My TV broadcast coach in New York City recommended that I pursue opportunities in Los Angeles. His advice was spot on because I hit the ground running when I arrived. I was able to cover every major red carpet from the Oscars to the Emmys. In 2015, my background in dance came full circle when I was hired to work with Dance Network. I exclusively report on all of the major TV dance shows from “Dancing With the Stars” to “So You Think You Can Dance” and “World of Dance.”

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s never an easy road working in the entertainment industry. Every few years, the trends shift, and you have to adapt or be left behind. One of the biggest shifts in entertainment came around 2007/2008 when social media became a huge part of journalism. In addition, streaming video on the internet shifted everything in broadcast TV. I made sure to sharpen my live-hosting skills to keep up with the technology changes.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Dance Network – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am proud of the fact that I’ve taken my experience in the dance industry and used it in my broadcasting career. I am the only specialized commercial dance reporter in the U.S. There are so many beautiful stories to tell, and I am proud I get to share them with dance fans. What sets my work apart from others is the fact that I follow contestants from the beginning of their journey on “So You Think You Can Dance” all the way to the end of the season. I am there with them at their first audition, and if they make the live shows, I follow them to end. It’s really a special part of my job.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I would love to take my reporting skills and elevate them to the documentary format. I have a couple of ideas brewing on dance documentaries that I would like to develop and produce.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekristynburtt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheKristynBurtt/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristynBurtt

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