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Meet Kristen Schalk

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Schalk.

Kristen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey started in the city of Charlotte, NC, where I grew up. I started dancing at the age of seven years old at various dance studios and quickly grew a passion for dance. When I was 16 years old, I met Tom Hill, the founder and owner of the Fuzion Force Entertainment Academy. Before opening his own studio, Tom had a hip hop dance crew that I joined. I began training with him and fell in love with hip hop dance. Once he opened Fuzion Force, my world was forever changed. At just a young age, I started training with Industry working choreographers from LA and Atlanta and fell in love with the dream of becoming a professional dancer.

One of my first professional gigs as a young dancer was getting the opportunity to dance back up for a boy band called TGB (The Gore Boys). They hired one of LA’s most renowned choreographers, Chuck Maldonado. Some of Chucks credits include choreography for Step Up, Stomp The Yard, SYTYCD, and X factor. Looking back, I was so blessed to be able to receive this type of training and experience in the small city of Charlotte. Not only was I dancing for TGB, but because of Fuzion Force, I was given other opportunities such as dancing back up for Jordin Sparks at the NFL Panthers halftime show and dancing for the Charlotte Center City Vision Awards. Tom also gave me my first teaching job, where I was able to teach hip hop dance classes to all ages, from kids to adults.

In 2014, I started attending college at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as a dance major. I spent two and a half years there studying dance. Although I made some great memories and do not regret going, I feel like I was never truly focused on school. I always felt that my attention was more focused on excelling in my dance career. I struggled to finish homework and make it to my early classes because of late-night dance rehearsals, traveling to conventions, and performing for various dance jobs. As dance began to get more serious for me, singing and acting also came into play.

My mom was the first person to notice that I had a gift for singing. I would sing along to songs on the radio while we would drive in the car together. One day she noticed me hitting some high notes to an Ariana Grande song. She told me it was time to start taking voice lessons. Even though I wasn’t that confident in myself, my mother saw my potential and took action. I am so grateful she did because it sparked the passion for singing and songwriting that I have today. I started to take lessons with Michael McCluney, also known as “Big Mike,” who is a part of the RnB singing group, Day 26. Mike helped me reach new heights with my voice that I didn’t know were possible. My first performance was at a Talent Inc. Convention in front of multiple talent agents where I performed “Dark Side” by Kelly Clarkson. Looking back, I remember being so unsure of my singing. But now I know moments like those helped grow me into the singer I am today.

Not only was I juggling dancing and singing, but I was also taking acting lessons from Dawn Rickus at her studio called Talent Inc. Acting has always been more challenging to me than dance or singing but I realize it has helped me become an all-around better performer. One of my dreams in life is to be on a tv show or movie where I’ll be able to dance, sing, and act. Until then, I will continue to work hard at all of these things in order to achieve that goal.

In 2016, I finally had the chance to visit LA. I was still dancing for TGB at the time when they got an opportunity to perform there. They ended up flying all five of us dancers out for this performance. I could barely contain my excitement. I was getting to do what I loved, in the city I had always dreamt of visiting, with my best friends. This was a trip I will never forget. Chuck gave us an entire tour of the city and we fell in love with it. We got to take dance classes at some of the most renowned studios: Debbie Reynolds, Millennium, and Movement Lifestyle. It was such a great experience and I knew I had to come back. Fast forward to the summer of 2017, and I got to visit LA again. This time I stayed for three weeks. I got to experience what it would be like to really live there. That’s when I realized I had to make a move. Luckily one of my friends had a room available for rent. I told my parents about it and we devised a plan. In October 2017, I officially moved to LA! It was such an incredible moment that I will never forget.

Once I moved to LA, I jumped straight into the dance industry. I was taking classes five to six times a week, going to any audition I would hear of, and doing lots of networking. I booked my first music video for Snow the Product and DRAM’s song “Myself.” This was an incredible first music video to be a part of in LA. I felt like all my dreams were finally coming to fruition. Since then, I have gotten to be a part of many other amazing music videos, including Da Baby’s “Bop on Broadway” and Cosculluela “Un AK,” to name a few. I have also gotten to be a part of many live stage performances for artists.

Along with my dance career, I have continued to pursue my singing career while being out in LA. I have been blessed to meet two amazing voice coaches, Ken Stacey and Lana Neuman, who are now some of my biggest mentors. Ken was a member of the Michael Jackson “This is it” band, was a vocal and performance coach on American Idol, and was the lead vocalist of the pop supergroup, Ambrosia. Ken has taught me many great exercises and techniques that have helped improve the quality of my singing. I have become such a stronger, more confident vocalist from working with him. Lana, who goes by “Lana Love,” is a pop artist and has worked with the likes of Disney, Warner Brothers, and Nickelodeon, to name a few. She was the first person that inspired me to start writing music. Lana has taught me a lot about what it takes to be an honest songwriter. She has also helped improve my performance skills. Another big part of my songwriting journey has been joining Nashville’s Songwriters Association International (NSAI). Being a part of NSAI has been a great way for me to share my songs with other writers, cowrite, and receive honest feedback. Along with songwriting, I also enjoy going to open mics in my spare time. Currently, I am in the process of writing my own music and am hoping to release my first single in the near future!

In 2020 I have been blessed to not only get jobs as a dancer but also as a choreographer. This year I have gotten to choreograph for a top 40 Billboard recording artist, Laura Angelini, one of Warner Records newly signed artists Conor Mathews, Latin recording artist JV Tunes, and Pop RnB artist MTStreets. Before choreographing for these artists, I hadn’t done much industry work as a choreographer. I had the experience with teaching dance classes and choreographing my own dances for fun, but I never saw myself or really had the confidence to say I wanted to choreograph for artists. However, when God keeps putting opportunities in front of your face, you have no other choice but to listen and trust him. These jobs have now led me to start branding myself as a choreographer and start my own small business. This journey has been nothing short of amazing and I’m so excited to see where else life takes me!

Great, 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?
I have had so many blessings happen along my journey but I would be lying if I said I’ve never struggled. As most dancers know, we are probably the lowest paid in the entertainment industry. This can cause some heartache when you work your butt off for a job and get underpaid. Unfortunately, this has happened to me a couple of times. But through those jobs, I have learned to recognize my worth and what I deserve. I no longer take jobs if they are underpaid. Or, I will speak up and ask for the correct amount. Another struggle has been juggling dancing, singing, and acting, while also having a normal job. Especially now, because I am in the process of starting my own small business, I feel like I never have enough time to get everything done. I always try to find balance but it can be hard when you have so many goals you are working towards. Another struggle I have faced is not having an agent while being out in LA. Every job I have ever gotten has been through networking. I know my time will come, but for now, I will continue to grind!

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I not only represent myself as a dancer, singer/songwriter, and actress but also as a choreographer. I offer choreography for music videos, live stage performances, Tik Tok promos, weddings, birthday parties, or just for fun! I also offer virtual or in-person dance lessons for dancers or non-dancers of all ages. You can find everything that I offer on my current website, kristenschalk.com. My new website is also in the works and will offer dance tutorial packages that you can purchase. For now, you can find the online classes that I teach through Outschool.com!

Something that sets me apart from other dance businesses is that I am willing to go the extra mile for you. You will never just get dance steps from me. I will help you reach your full potential in whatever goal you are working towards. At the end of the day, I love giving back to people. The job is done for you, it is never about me. I will always tailor my work to fit exactly what it is you’re looking to achieve.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Going out on the lake every summer with my friends and family and having backyard cookouts! Summer has always been my favorite time of the year.

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Image Credit:
Rogie Nelson

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