Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyndall Foote.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kyndall. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started dancing at California Ballet School at 4 years old. I was introduced to the school by my cousin Sydney who had been dancing there for a while. From the moment I started ballet, I was hooked and my parents just knew they had found the perfect fit for their little girl. As I grew up in the studio I started other forms of movement; I started taking jazz, flamenco, and modern classes. I absolutely hated jazz at first because I could not break out of the perfect, structured ballet world I had built for myself. I was suddenly being asked to contract and make messier lines for a funkier effect and I just couldn’t do it. As much as I wanted to quit my Mom made me stick with it and I’m so glad she did because I ended up loving jazz and it’s one of my favorite forms of dance now. When I was in high school I started teaching ballet and jazz. I learned from some pretty amazing teachers and eventually found myself teaching for a career. While I was in college I taught for California Ballet School and received a Bachelor’s degree from San Diego State in Art & Design. I also had the pleasure of being able to share my passion with other likeminded individuals and danced in California Ballet Company. I was able to break some barriers and dance in amazing ballets such as Romeo & Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Giselle and Swan Lake.
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?
The road definitely had some bumpy times. I was pretty much the only African American girl in the ballet school at my level. There were certain roles that for some reason never felt attainable to me whether it be fear or outside voices making their opinions known. However it never stopped from trying my hardest to make my goals come true.
At age 17 I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. This was extremely hard for me because I almost had to teach myself how to live again. I would get extremely annoyed having to stop dancing to check my blood sugar or sit out because I wasn’t feeling well but yet again I pushed past it to make to the next role or opportunity. I would always say to myself that pitying myself isn’t going to make this disease go away but dancing will always make you feel better.
My advice for anyone just starting out is to never doubt your intuition. There will be so many people waiting and wanting you to fail but you can never give them that satisfaction.
Tell us about your business – what should we know?
While I no longer dance for the ballet company, I still teach for the ballet school ages 4-adults in ballet and jazz.
I coach and choreograph for Patrick Henry High School’s dance team. I had the pleasure of starting this program in 2015 with the help of a former student. I’m in awe of how much the program has grown from 10 dancers to 45! I can’t wait to see how big this program will get. If you ask my dance team or any student of mine for that matter they will probably tell you that I am very sassy, direct and caring. I think what separates me from most people is that I care with my whole heart about my students, their goals are my goals and I just to help them shine. I will be their friend, mentor, teacher, therapist: whatever they need.
The ultimate goal for the next few years is to grow my choreography business by working with other dance teams and dance studios. This is something I am very passionate about and I am open for opportunities and growth.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
I think both of my parents laid a very strong foundation for me and my brother growing up. They were both in the Navy and both very strict while still letting us have the freedom and fun that we needed as children.
They have always taught me to lead with my heart, question with my brain and to never give up. I am so lucky to have them in my life and to forever have their support in whatever endeavor I decide to take on in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: phhsdanceteam.com
- Email: kynfoote@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Dustin Michaelson
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