Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristy Greenway-August.
Hi Kristy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I have wanted to dance but, when I graduated from the University of Arizona, I was lost. Dancing professionally had lost its appeal and I was broke and defeated. I moved to San Diego and started working in sales, which quickly made me a lot of money, but also killed my artist’s soul. I knew that I had to return back to my roots of dancing but didn’t know exactly what to do. I remember sitting on the beach one day and remembering what one of my professors from college had once said to me, “Kristy, you were born to teach.” That next day, I enrolled in school and worked towards getting my teaching credential so I could bring dance to high school students that might never have access to it. I was placed in the South Bay for my student teaching and ever since 1996, I have stayed in the Sweetwater Union High School District teaching dance. I have established dance programs at two high schools, and I am currently at Eastlake High School, where I have established a program that connects students to the professional dance world. I want my students to view their dance experience as an opportunity to open doors to their future. I want them to understand that they can make a living through their artistry. My job as their teacher is to expose them to as many opportunities as possible so that they understand that they can make a living as an artist. This has been my mission as a dance teacher in public education. It is too often that we are focused on test scores and college prep courses that I wanted to give students an opportunity to find their artistic voices and realize that they are valued for so much more than a grade point average and a transcript. I provide opportunities for students to take classes from Master Teachers that are working in the current industry so they can see that they have access, and I remove financial obstacles by providing scholarships to students who are in need. Many of my students have found their professional careers in dance and give back to my program through their experiences and knowledge of the industry.
Alright, 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?
For the most part, my journey has been rather smooth. I am a very persistent and motivated person so when someone tells me something cannot be done, I make it happen. Unfortunately, the arts always have a hard road and if you do not have determination and drive this is not the road for you. Artists are made of grit and strength so we get the job done. “No’s” are a part of our life and we take them as a challenge to show the World that it is possible. My job as a dance teacher is to prepare my students for these challenges and make tough artists. The world needs artists to keep us human and to stay connected.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I am most known for is my work at Eastlake High School and creating the Dance Program that is currently thriving on campus. When I first got to Eastlake there was a dance program but there was not a structure in place. I created a program where students could work up the ladder and strive to connect to a career in dance. Currently, dancers can either take PE Dance or audition and be placed in Dance I, Dance II (Apprentice Dance Company), or Advanced Choreography (Elite Dance Company). We attend master classes dance conventions/competitions as well as put on several dance concerts throughout the year. Eastlake Dance Program has also expanded over the years to include Eastlake All Female/All Male Hip Hop Team and Tahitian Dance Company. Students come to Eastlake from all over to join our dance program. I am the most proud of the atmosphere we have created here of inclusion. We have a motto that unfortunately came from a tragedy of one of our members passing away several years ago; “Ohana means family; family means no gets left behind or forgotten.” Every time we step on stage to perform, compete, or rehearse you can feel the love and respect we have for one another. It is a special feeling that is indescribable. When we are at a competition, judges make comments about how you can tell we have so much passion for what we do or how they would love to dance with us or learn our routines. We may not be the most technical dancers on the floor but we are always the most passionate, dedicated, determined, and will connect our audience to our performance. We will always give you a show you will remember!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think that because I hold myself to high standards and I never stop pushing to be better, that I continue to grow into a better teacher. I am a firm believer that once you stop learning, you are done. I am constantly trying to learn what is new or I am open to new situations or improving my program. I also know that I am not the “end all, be all” so I have brought in experts to help me teach my students. I have outside choreographers and teachers come in to help enrich my program because the more exposure to different teaching styles the better the students will be. You always have to be open and flexible to anything to help move things forward.
Pricing:
- Free
Contact Info:
- Email: kristin.greenway-august@sweetwaterschools.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastlakedanceco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastlakedancecompany
Image Credits
Thomas Photography-Denise and Rod Thomas (personal photo, team photo) Shots by a Savage-Paul Savage (Dance Shot of couple) Carolina Perez (dance shot of Lilia Reyes) other pictures are my personal photos Logos are my school logos for the Eastlake Dance Team
