From the Dancer's Point of View: Kayla Hill
Today we’re hearing from one of Ballet Adora’s almuni, Kayla Hill, who graduated in 2022. She is such a joy to know and if you’ve seen her dance you know her talent, boundless energy, and deep love for people is felt by everyone around her! Now that she’s continuing her education at Lipscomb University we wanted to see her perspective looking back on her time as a student and what advice she has for younger dancers!
What is your dance history?
I first started dancing when I was two years old. I began my training with ballet, tap, and acrobatics. I fell in love with dance the minute my feet hit the stage for the very first time. I continued pursuing my love and passion by broadening my horizons: also training in jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, tap, musical theatre, pointe, and modern. Growing up, I also competed and was a member of a performance dance company. I trained for a summer at the Nashville Ballet, along with being a scholarship recipient at multiple dance conventions.
How are you pursuing dance now that you’re in college?
I am a sophomore at Lipscomb University. At this university, I am a dance minor and a member of their dance company. In my spare time (which is very minimal these days), I also train at Millenium Dance Complex and Area 54. I also am a dance teacher assistant at Lipscomb Academy as I train dancers and foster their love for dance.
What was your favorite piece of choreography that you performed at Ballet Adora?
My favorite piece of choreography was my solo, “What a Good Woman Does”, choreographed by Abigail Holcomb. This piece was one I felt so deeply. I related to the beautiful, heart felt lyrics. Abigail provided me with elegant choreography that played to my strengths as a dancer, while having the freedom to pour out my heart and soul to the audience.
What’s your favorite memory at Ballet Adora?
Ballet Adora put on a showcase in 2020 after the original spring show got canceled due to Covid-19. After rehearsal one night, we tried on our skirts for our piece, “Waymaker”. Abigail turned on the song, “Home”, and I remember all of us freely dancing to the music in our long, flowing skirts. In that moment, it was not about the technique or anything else happening in our lives. It was about the joy of dance and the strong community of girls Ballet Adora has built.
How did Ballet Adora prepare you for this new phase of your life and dance?
Ballet Adora provided me sound technique as we focused on fundamental values of articulation, choreography retention, musicality, and performance. I grew tremendously not only as a dancer, but as a person. The teachers at Ballet Adora care about you as a person. Abigail poured into me, and she has taught me many life lessons throughout my time with her. She has taught me the importance of rest, peace, and never forgetting the reason I began dancing in the first place. She pushed me to my limits, and she also made me dig deep to take the emotional quality of my performances to the next level.
What are your dance bag essentials?
My pink KT tape for sure! Knee injury things ;). I always keep goldfish, hair ties, bobby pins, hairspray, deodorant, a first aid kit, a phone charger, mole skin, spare tights/leotard, and a sewing kit in my dance bag. Of course, you cannot forget all your shoes!
What do you know about God now that you didn’t know a year ago?
God’s faithfulness and presence is everywhere. In your brighest moments and darkest hours, God is right next to you through it all. Just because you may feel distance with Him does not mean He is far away. It just means you may have taken a step back from Him because of anxiety, anger, fill in the blank. He is waiting for you with open arms to welcome you in His glorious embrace. His joy, faithfulness, and peace will walk with you wherever you go, even when it is hard to recognize, it is there. We serve a wonderful, just, and caring God. He will never leave or forsake us. He has a plan and a purpose for every season of our lives. I stand in awe of the Lord as I reflect on what He has done for me and how He has blessed me in this season of me life.
What is a book/song/artist that has been an encouragement to you lately?
The song “Thank God I Do” by Lauren Daigle has been such an encouragement lately. I took a contemporary class with Lizzie Clark where we danced to this song. It truly is such a beautiful song. It goes through talking about how she doesn’t know where she would be without her relationship with Jesus. She even says how He is her safe place and hideaway. Dance has always been my earthly safe place, but my forever safe place belongs with Jesus. When you listen to these words, you cannot help but be overcome with the love of the Holy Spirit.
Any advice for younger dancers?
There is so much I would give to a younger dancer, but I will try to be brief. First of all, dance your heart and soul out in every single dance class. Dance is not about the awards, getting every combination perfection, or having the strongest technique. Dance is about expressing who you and telling a story through the piece you are performing. It is about the joy and life giving energy that you feel the minute you take the stage. Enjoy every single class. I know somedays the classes may seem mundane at times, but you never know when an injury or life will come along. The ability to be a dance is such a gift. Try all styles! Take as many dance classes as you possibly can. You never know what genres you will fall in love with, and sometimes styles will surprise you. Really on the Lord in all that you do. There is a verse in Psalms that talks about praising His name through dancing. Use your gifts to praise and show the goodness of God.