Twister

Typically, a series of small experiences lead to one, big life-changing event. Like a twister, you ride it out until you touch down in one place. I am there.

As I explained in my last post, my story began with a pair of ballet shoes as a Christmas present. That present carried me though the next years of my life as I attended middle school and high school to eventually land me to where I believe the interesting part of the story begins…. 
After high school, I was accepted into the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. I was one of about 10 selected for the program my freshman year… Lucky for me, because it was the only school that I applied to. I entered the dance department in 2009 and was scared out of my mind. It turned out to be one of the most beloved places in my heart. I met some of the most incredible friends there and got to work with some impeccable choreographers and instructors, one being Bernard Gaddis, whose company I am now a member of. Interesting how people come in and out of your life for a reason.

DeeAnna Hiett's Cast of "Without A Word" at the American College Dance Festival Nationals at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. May 2012

 

 Danielle and I after graduation from UMKC May 2013

Throughout the spring of my senior year, I auditioned for many companies in search of a job. I traveled from Florida to Colorado to Illinois. I auditioned for cruise ships, contemporary companies, ballet companies and modern companies. But nothing came from any of them. I began to get discouraged, but knew that I was doing something right because I would always get close to the end in the auditions...I just never quite made it. In June, after all my auditions were over, I met up with my professor Sabrina. She called her friend Bernard Gaddis who remembered me and said that I could come audition for his company the following week. That night I bought a plane ticket and headed out to Vegas the following week. And here I am, being given the opportunity to follow my dreams and do what I love.  It’s funny how life turns out sometimes. When I was a Sophomore at UMKC, I was in a guest artist’s piece for our show. While working with that guest artist, he shared something with us.  He said, “You have nothing to prove, but everything to share.” That stuck with me for years and before every performance, or whenever I was feeling discouraged… I repeated that to myself. It was a huge source of inspiration for me and it kept me going and loving what I do. Little did I know that I would end up working for THAT same guest artist one day If that isn't a twist of fate, then I don't know what is.