Meet Kelleia Sheerin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelleia Sheerin.

Kelleia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
“You Were Wild Once. Don’t Let Them Tame You.” Isadora Duncan.

There is a quickening that happens in a dance class that doesn’t happen anywhere else. It’s therapy like no other.

Sure, talk therapy is good. Yoga is great. Good sex is the best. Hiking is healing. A pow-wow with your sisters, essential. But a sexy, supportive, sublime dance class with your sisters… is Empowering! And once you get a taste of it, there’s no going back! Once a Dancer, Always a Dancer.

When I was 35 I almost “retired” from dancing. I had just returned from Broadway and was about to perform in a Rock-n-Roll a Gogo show in the basement of a famous club on the Sunset Strip. Standing on the sidewalk in front of the club in full costume with rockers passing by, I bemoaned my lot to my longtime friend and colleague, “I can’t believe I’m still doing this.” I was a classically trained dancer who had been performing for two decades and here I was on a sidewalk with fringe and feathers, feeling old and dejected. It was a neo-burlesque-type show with Carmen Electra as the guest artist. But being a professional, I fluffed myself and soldiered on.

That night changed my life.

I was onstage with some of the most powerful women and performers that have ever been in this industry. They were also in their 30’s and 40’s. We were dancing together, supporting each other, living and celebrating our lives, our bodies, our health, our art, our sexuality, our love and we were The Shit! I got fully in my body and suddenly felt powerful and free and sexy and righteous. I was divine and sublime. I was 35-fucking-years-old and I was a true DANCING QUEEN!

When the show ended I looked at myself in the mirror and once again I said the words, “I can’t believe I’m still doing this!!!” But this time it was with elation and gratitude, joy and power. It was as if I had survived an accident and had been given a second chance at life. I finally understood what gifts my life, my body, dancing, expression, friendship, sexuality, sensuality and… my age was. I had deeply approved of and claimed myself that night in an unconditional and irreversible way. My old prison of a self-loathing paradigm shattered. I had goosebumps all over my body and I knew I would never be the same again. I realized that the only thing standing in my way was ME. The only person who was telling me I was too old, too fat, too achy, too fill-in-the-blank, that I should retire, that I was absurd to still be dancing, was me. Every one else – especially my girlfriends… and the audience – was cheering me on! So I simply decided to two-step on outta my way.

As this deep love and radical self-approval grew and expanded, I realized in my heart of hearts, once a dancer, always a dancer and I needed to share this new, true paradigm with others. And so with trembling legs and a fluttering heart, I started teaching. I started with what I knew – dance – and created a class for people who simply weren’t done moving, no matter the age. And this class, like the little train that could, has grown and grown. It has taken on a life of its own and has become a community, a sanctuary and a Movement.

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?
After years of scrutinizing my body, my face, my talent, my motivation – after years of trying to be “perfect” with every breath I took – after years of ambition driving me to insanity – I finally dove so deep into myself, I saw the Truth of who and what I really am, of my beauty and treasure and power. And I understood that to not only accept myself but to wildly approve of myself, well that was revolutionary. It was a paradigm changer at the root. It was the end of self-oppression. As Brene Brown says, “A woman who loves herself is dangerous.”

When I got over that obstacle, when I walked through that fire that was of my own making, I went on to have the best decade of my entire dance career! And there’s no end in sight.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
Kelleia & The Jazz is a Radical Get Down for Grown-Ass Adults! It’s a class of celebration! Celebration of ourselves, of each other, of music and movement. My students call it, “Sexy Church!” Well, Hallelujah!!

We have women, men, actors, fashion designers, filmmakers, choreographers, hosts, personal trainers, mothers, aunties, entrepreneurs, wives, singers, songwriters, teachers, wood-workers, herbalists, inventors, small business owners, empire builders, seasoned professionals, sweet green newbies, environmental advocates and activists. In and out of class, we love each other hard, support each other truly and grow more wild by the day!

I almost quit before I really even started cookin’ and now, I sing the body electric! Whether you’ve been a professional or simply dabbled when you were young, whether you’ve been on Broadway or only ever crushed it in your living room…. give yourself the gift of Yourself! Keep on keeping on! Because…

Once a Dancer, Always a Dancer.

Pricing:

• $22/CLASS

Contact Info:

• Address: Hama Dance Center
  12117 Moorpark St,
  Studio City, CA 91604
• Website: www.Kelleia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelleiaandthejazz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KelleiaandTheJazz/?ref=bookmarks
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KelleiaLuna
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGKp5PP1OQxijA1S0dGItkdnVsHh-8nZN

Image Credit:
David Palmer
Nikki DaLanzo

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