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October Featured Dancer:
Mikala Curless
Former Ballet Instructor at The Ballet Club
Born: China
Occupation: Freelance Dancer and Choreographer; Artistic Director of Bartlesville Civic Ballet
Hobbies: Reading (real paper books), playing board/card games with family and friends, swimming, gardening
Why Mikala takes ballet:
"I initially began ballet because a soccer coach recommended that I take some lessons in order to improve my foot agility and strength. Little did I know that this suggestion would lead me to my lifelong passion! Through dance, I found my calling and discovered the gifts God had given me.
I love dance because I can express what seems inexpressible. I can connect with people without a single word being uttered. I love ballet specifically, for its grace and structure. In a world that is filled with chaos and negativity, ballet brings a semblance of stability and beauty to our society.
I think it's important to note that my path to dance and my dance background have been anything but traditional. Starting out life as a girl who much preferred track and field to tutus and frills, to then go on to become someone who's whole world revolves around dance, was quite a transformation. Moving around over 20 times in the midst of my dance training was also an experience that many professional dancers don't encounter.
Dancers, especially in the ballet world, are told they must follow a set path in order to be successful, but that's not the case. It's not a one-size-fits-all solution. I can tell you from personal experience that these are just the building blocks for greater things that are yet to come."
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