Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Rose.
Kayla, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It all started before I was even born. My mother was a dancer so she was dancing with me in the womb! When I reached the age of three, I was able to start ballet classes! I remember being so excited to finally get my very own my pink tights and ballet shoes. Since day one, I knew I would dance forever. I grew up in a very strict ballet school in Charlotte, NC. Hair in a bun and correct leotard every day. I loved everything about it! I danced every single day after school and on weekends which were either classes or rehearsals. Thinking back on my childhood, I know I spent a lot of time in the studio dancing, but I still wouldn’t change a thing. Dance and having strong supportive parents behind me has made me who I am today…a strong, reliable, confident, and healthy woman.
After high school, I got accepted to AMDA College and Conservatory for the performing arts. My whole world changed when I moved to Hollywood! I came from a very small southern town on the other side of the country…so Hollywood was definitely an eye-opener. My dance and love for dance just kept growing and it was only up from there on out. I made some of the best life long connections at AMDA. One of the best decisions I ever made was attending AMDA. I grew so much. After graduating with a BFA in dance theater, I signed with Bloc Talent Agency and was in the audition world. Which was fun and exhausting but I was ready for that steady paycheck!
I booked Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and was able to travel and dance all over the world which was an amazing opportunity I am forever grateful for. I even met the love of my life on the ship! So now we are back here settled in LA so I can keep dancing forever. I am now performing and teaching all over LA.
The Good Trouble Makers, The Doll Face Dames, and Jojo’s Dance Divas & Dudes are just some of the various dance companies I work for. I think keeping good people in your circle is the key to happiness. Which I believe happiness is success.
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?
I have definitely had my ups and downs. Growing up looking at yourself, wear skin-tight clothing in front of the mirror every single day can get to you. How do you not judge yourself and your body? It’s extremely hard to not be down on yourself and compare yourself to others. I would always get negative thoughts in my head about my body and my dance ability just from staring in the mirror constantly.
Once I learned that there will always be someone younger and better than you is when I started to be happy with myself and truly learn my capability. As long as you show up and do your best, that’s all you can do.
Everyone is different and brings different talents to the table. That’s what makes art so beautiful. Everyone has their own special light that shines. Once you find your special light and learn to own it, it’s only up from there. Some people might not always like your special light, but it’s their loss not yours.
Today, right now, is honestly one of the biggest struggles. Performing is the way I express myself fully. It’s like a meditation to me. Not having my dance family, my stage, and regular dance schedule feels like a part of me is missing. But I know this will pass and I will be back to where I feel most “me” soon. I’m using this time to slow down, learn more about myself and get super connected to myself and earth.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
The Good Trouble Makers are artist-agitators. Inspired by the words of John Lewis, “we are committed to making; making art, making room, making change, making good trouble.”
The Good Trouble Makers is my safe haven thanks to Kai Hazelwood, who was actually my professor in college. I am proud to be apart of the Trouble Makers because it is everything I stand for. We are a genre-expanding, practice-driven collaboration that is perpetually investigating what anti-racist and queer dance making, devising, teaching, and performing looks like. We do serious work without taking ourselves too seriously.
The Doll Face Dames is another company I am proud to be apart because it’s all about living that fun nightlife to the fullest! This burlesque company takes you on so many wild rides during their shows! We provide high-class show-stopping live entertainment for any occasion. I am mostly known for my technique, beautiful leg extensions, pretty pointe work and my charisma. I just light up when I perform. It’s pure love and joy pouring out of me when I perform.
Jojo’s Dance Divas and Dudes is where me and the wonderful Jojo Burke go into schools and community centers to share our gift of dance with the kids! Teaching is another strong passion of mine. All of the kids I have taught mean the world to me. “I call my students my kids because in our time together, they’ve become a part of my heart.”
I also do beautiful projects with Angela Todaro, she is one of my favorite people to work with. She creates such lovely safe space to dance in. We just did “Fireside” in Santa Monica where we danced in front of an actual fire. One of the coolest things I got to be apart of. Keep an eye out for it to return!
What sets me apart from others is I truly feel that I always come into the studio with love in my heart, an open mind, and a positive attitude. I leave the outside world at the door and just be present with dance. I am always grateful to be doing what I love. As long as I am dancing, I am a happy lady! Dance is church for me. It makes me a better happier human all around.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was definitely the wild child. I was that kid that would get home from ballet class and go play outside till the street lights came on. I always wanted to be active, have fun, be loud, and laugh. Which caused me to get in trouble sometimes as a child. I had a hard time sitting still which is still a challenge to this day. I always want to be on the move. I was extremely involved in school. I was captain of the dance team and did all the musicals! I loved being around people and sharing my talents with the whole school. My senior year, I got voted “most talented”. I guess people liked the wild in me. Good thing I’m still a wild child at heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: thedollfacedames.com goodtroublemakers.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @kaylarosela @goodtroublemakers @thedollfacedames
Image Credit:
Chelsea Griffin
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