Discussing Dance Travel with Brown Ballerina Ambassador Cheyenne Kira
Meet Cheyenne Kira, a 16-year-old ballerina from Trinidad and Tobago and one of our many Brown Ballerina Ambassadors! At 4 years old, she started dancing at the Caribbean School of Dancing, where she studied the methods taught by the Royal Academy of Dance. In 2018, Cheyenne was invited to join her school’s company, Metamorphosis Dance Company, as an apprentice. She became a full member in 2019.
In an attempt to satisfy the curiosity of dancers who may want to travel more, or to eliminate the fear or anxiety some may have when it comes to the thought of traveling, we reached out to Cheyenne to learn more about her travel experiences as a dancer. In her interview below, she shared some of her favorite aspects of traveling, tips for other dancers who want to travel, and more!
Related: Freelance Dancing Overseas: A Conversation with Briana Stuart
Photo: Cheyenne Kira; shot by Millennial Studios
Cheyenne’s Experience with Dance Travel
I’ve been to dance intensives in Miami, San Francisco, and New York City, each ranging from 2 weeks to 5 weeks. Most of them have had some sort of performance at the end, whether that meant setting up chairs for in the studio or performing in a theatre. I love preparing to perform almost as much as being onstage itself.
I competed with my dance school at the All Dance International Competition in Orlando in 2018 and 2019. It was so exciting getting to travel with my friends and teachers for a week, getting to explore a little before competing on the weekend, and the adrenaline that comes with competition. Those two years were my only experiences with foreign competition, and some of my best memories are associated with them.
The Benefits & Challenges of Traveling
I love the new environments and the opportunity to do things that I might not have time for or access to at home. It’s lovely to see each dancer’s personal style and being able to learn from so many creatives.
My biggest struggle has always been socializing and missing the familiarity of home. I’m quite shy and I get anxious when there’s an abundance of unknown people in one space. However, it gets better - slowly but surely.
Hot Spots for Dancers
I have a special love for New York City, and my opinion is kind of biased due to a lack of experience elsewhere, but I think it’s a good place for art and artists. The concentration of said artists might present a challenge. Still, there’s a variety of things to absorb and be inspired by: not only the dancers but also the city itself. This may be a romanticized view of New York, but I digress.
Tips for Dancers Who Want to Travel
Try and learn as much as possible, from as many people as possible. Take in all the information and advice you can get, and try to grow as a dancer. Unfamiliar environments can be tough, but there’s always a myriad of wonderful things to gain once you get past any discomfort.
Be sure to follow Cheyenne’s Dance journey on Instagram!
Our Brown Ballerina Ambassador program is designed to create opportunities for young dancers in training to be seen as leaders and to eventually become mentors to other Brown Ballerinas in Training. To find out more about our ambassador program and how you can support it, visit our Ambassador/Mentorship Program page.
Note: This interview has been edited for concision and clarity.