Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Newham.
Kate, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Born and raised on the Gold Coast, Australia with a love for the ocean, good coffee and anything dance-related! When I look back now on my childhood, I was definitely spoilt growing up where I did in a beautiful city, 5 minutes from the beach, with a huge loving family (I am the middle child of five) and a friendly and safe community! Ever since I can remember I have always had dance in my life and a passion for creating, entertainment and music. I started dancing a the young age of three and I think my mum (mom) put my older sister and I into dance so she could have some free time! Little did she know at the time how much of an impact it would make on my life! Because my brother and sisters and I were all very much into Sport/ Music & Dance we were lucky enough to attend a High School where that was encouraged and we could pick numerous class electives in those fields! During school, I tried in Dance + Music and Drama and after school I went straight to my dance school and took class training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Lyrical, Acrobatics, Singing & Drama! I was part of every school musical, play, performance and also competed at numerous Dance Competitions yearly since I can remember.
Once I turned 15, I knew that dance was something I wanted to pursue professionally! My family has always been so encouraging and supportive of my choices, so when I told them I want to leave High School early to attend a Full-Time Dance College, there were no questions asked! They knew this was my calling and are still are behind me every step of the way!
Once I turned 17, I left High School to study under the direction of Davidia Lind at Davidia Lind Dance Center, DLDC completing my diploma in Musical Theatre and Commercial Dance! I had the choice to do a second year at DLDC to obtain my Advanced Diplomas but instead booked my first Professional Contract at 18 years old! I had just turned 18 and was offered a six months contract to dance in Bollywood Films and shows in Mumbai, India! Yep INDIA! I had never even been out of the country before and my first solo adventure was to India! To say I was terrified is an understatement! But to this day it has been once of the best decisions I have ever made. After a life-changing experience traveling around India for six straight months it was time to fly home, reunite with my family…. and then say goodbye again as I was then offered another Professional Dance Contract in Xiamen, China for eight months! That contract changed my life! In the midst of my contract the show I was dancing in hired a Musician to be part of the show. Little did I know at the time he would become the love of my life!
After my contract In China, I then worked for Norwegian Cruise lines as a Dance Captain and also spent some time as Supergirl at a local theme park on the Gold Coast Australia, ‘Warner Brothers Movie World’. In-between teaching for numerous Dance studios all over Australia, performing, choreographing shows for entertainment companies and juggling a long distance relationship, I was also trying to obtain my O-1 Artist visa to live and work as an Artist in Los Angeles, CA.
Fast forward to the present I have been living in Los Angeles for two and a half years, am surrounded by inspiring industry friends, teach dance daily, perform weekly and live with a supportive man!
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?
Definitely not! There has been so many obstacles, challenges and struggles along the way! I think one of the biggest challenges was to obtain my O-1 Artist Visa to live and work in the Entertainment Industry in the USA. Not many people know just how difficult it is to obtain a visa as such.
To begin with the description of this visa is ‘Artists with Extraordinary Ability’. After you have compiled a stack of photos, newspaper articles, education history, 10-15 reference letters, old pay stubs, deal memos, CV’s, more photos, more evidence and pretty much you whole life story you then pay the fee and cross all your fingers and toes that within 2 – 9 weeks that it will be approved! But wait then schedule an interview for more questioning and then pay more money and then cross all your fingers and toes again that they send your passport to the correct address with your visa stuck tightly inside! 😫 Oh, and then pack up your whole life into one suitcase, sell your belongings, book a one-way ticket, say good-bye to your family and friends and be on your merry way!
But, in saying all that it is definitely worth each and every sleepless night and every penny it took to continue to live and pursue my dreams here in Los Angeles!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I think what sets me apart from other dancers is my Aussie training and Australian hardworking ethics! Us Aussie’s, and I think I can vouch for most, will tell you that we are a hard working and humble crew! The amount of Aussie’s I have met out here in LA with the same positive and happy go lucky attitude makes me feel so proud of the country we are from!
I think what also sets me apart from the rest is that I have such a broad background in dance and in trained and continue to train in a range of different styles of dance as well as teach dance, choreograph and perform!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I always thought I would just perform, but one I started to teach dance about nine years ago I found a passion I didn’t know I had. One of the proudest moments in my career would definitely be watching my students grow up and win nationally recognized dance competitions with my routines and then continue to pursue dance as a career! I love seeing my students perform on stage and can’t think of anything else that makes me feel more proud!
Pricing:
- Dance Teacher hourly rate $45 – $80 an hour
- Dance Studio Marketing Manager $35-$50 an hour
- Dance Competition Routine $150 – $300 per Dance Routine
- Dance Workshops $80 – $150 an hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://katelynewham9.wixsite.com/dancer
- Phone: (424)402-2408
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kate.newham/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katelyn.newham
Image Credit:
Ruby Sam Clark, Dima Otvertchenko, Mladen Blagojevic
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