5 to Watch 2021: Akeelah Duffy
Each year, we feature 5 young ballerinas who are on the road to creative success. Due to their growth, hard work, and accomplishments, we’ve kept these girls on our radar, and will continue to look after them as they blossom in their dance careers!
Akeelah Duffy, a 13-year-old ballerina based in San Diego, California, started dancing when she was 3 years old. She’s come a long way from her first performance in 2011, where she danced in a production of The Sleeping Beauty. Now, she dances in the Pre-Professional Training Program with the North County Academy of Dance, with a focus on ballet, contemporary, lyrical dance, and pilates.
Continue reading our interview with Akeelah below to learn why we named her one of Brown Girls Do Ballet’s 5 to Watch for 2021!
Photo: Eva Nys Photography
What’s a dance accomplishment that you are proud of and why?
I am proud that I was accepted into The Royal Ballet School’s Summer 2020 and Spring 2021 Intensives. Due to COVID-19, I was not able to attend the Summer 2020 Intensive. However, I did just return home from London after attending the Spring Intensive. I am so grateful I was able to experience ballet training abroad and meet new friends from around the world.
What’s your most memorable dance moment?
My most memorable dance moment was when I was performing in my studio’s performance of Coppelia in 2019. While I was dancing in the maypole dance, the ribbons were made too long and I became entangled in them. The maypole started to come down on me and after seeing the pictures that the photographer took, I seemed to be the only one on stage who didn’t notice the pole was coming down as I continued to dance. My friend Silas, who was also in the dance, was pulling the ribbons to try to get the maypole back upright. All of my friends and I were so tangled in the ribbons we couldn't stop laughing on stage. Once we got off stage we were laughing so hard it was almost impossible to stop. Luckily, the maypole didn't fall on us!
What inspires you?
My first dance inspiration was my very first ballet teacher, Ms. Cassi. She is the prettiest Sugar Plum Fairy I have ever seen. Maria Khoreva and Skylar Brandt are just amazing to me and I aspire to be that great someday. Michaela De Prince also inspires me because, in addition to being such an amazing dancer, her story is incredible (I’ve read her book Taking Flight three times). These ballerinas inspire me every day.
What’s your favorite part about being a dancer or the dance industry in general?
I’ve enjoyed making friends who I’ll have for a lifetime. I love watching old dance videos of myself to see my continuous improvement. I also enjoy being on stage because it is a lot of fun!
If you could change the future of dance, what changes would you make?
The “ballet body” needs to change. There shouldn't be a “ballet body”. If someone loves to dance and they’re passionate about it, the last thing they should be worried about is their appearance. The art of dance should be focused on technique and artistry, not the size of your body. Dancers shouldn’t have to feel insecure; we should all love our bodies, but I feel like sometimes the dance world can get really harsh about body types and that really needs to change.
Photo: Rhi Lee Photography
Every day, Akeelah spends her morning in her pre-professional dance classes after a breakfast of either scrambled eggs and turkey bacon or an acai bowl. In the afternoon, she works on schoolwork before heading to her night dance classes. Before bed, she gives her feet a nice, warm soak in an Epsom salt bath.
This summer, Akeelah will be attending the Ballet West summer intensive in Utah, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s virtual summer intensives. In the meantime, she’s working on her solos and variations for the upcoming competition season. You can follow Akeelah’s journey here!