Today we’d like to introduce you to Aia K. McInnes.
Hi Aia K., it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was introduced to dance at the age of 9 in a way that was anything but traditional. I grew up in a family deeply connected to the arts, though not through dance—my mother was a film photography professor at our local community college. My twin brother and I often accompanied her to shoots or classes, so creativity was always present in our lives. At my elementary school, there was an “Art Day” once a month where artists from the community would come in to share different mediums. One month, a local dance teacher led a class focused on creative movement—we spent the session spinning with ribbons and exploring imagination through motion. I remember it vividly, especially because I had never really seen ballet before or understood what dance could be.
After that class, the teacher reached out to my parents and encouraged me to try classes at the local YMCA where she also taught. Before I knew it, I was in my first dance class wearing gym shorts and a t-shirt. From that moment on, I fell in love with the ability to move creatively and step into an imaginative world.
At the end of that first semester, the director saw potential in me and offered me a place in her academy for more serious training. At the time, my family wasn’t in a financial position to support ballet training, as it can be expensive even at a young age. She generously provided me with my first pair of ballet shoes, tights, and a leotard—an act of kindness that has stayed with me ever since. I will always be grateful that someone took a chance on me.
I continued my training in Portland, OR, eventually attending ACMA Performing Arts Middle & High School, and further expanded my experience through summer programs such as BalletX, The School at Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Ballet Program, and BJM 360 with Ballet Jazz Montréal. I went on to study at the Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, where I earned my BFA in Dance with a concentration in Ballet and a minor in Business Management. During my time there, I performed works by renowned choreographers including Christopher Wheeldon, Jessica Lang, and George Balanchine, which deeply influenced my artistic development.
Since graduating, I’ve begun my professional career as a company member with Pegasus Contemporary Ballet and am about to complete my fourth season with them. There, I’ve had the privilege of performing works by choreographers such as Sean Aaron Carmon, Daniel Ojeda, Joshua L. Peugh, Thang Dao, Michelle Thompson Ulerich, Norbert De La Cruz III, Gabriel Speiller, and Bruce McCormick. I’m also a member of ARC Dance Company under the direction of Marie Chong, performing works by Kiyon Ross, Betsy Cooper, and Julie Tobias.
Over the past two years, I’ve also had more opportunities to pursue freelance work and collaborate with new artists in a variety of spaces, which has truly been a joy. Some of these experiences have included performing with Houston Grand Opera in the Royal Opera’s production of Hansel and Gretel, as well as working with Bridget L. Moore on the premiere of The Parlor Room. I value versatility and feel honored to have been able to step into such different spaces on unique projects, all while working alongside incredibly supportive people.
Alongside performing, I’ve developed a passion for teaching and currently serve on faculty with Texas Ballet Theatre at the new Dallas location. My multicultural upbringing continues to shape my perspective, driving my belief that art can give voice to stories and emotions that aren’t always easily expressed through words.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Starting dance later than many of my peers came with its own set of challenges—I often felt like I was playing catch-up in highly technical spaces where others had years more training than I did. That required a lot of discipline, resilience, and belief in my own potential, even when I didn’t always see immediate progress.
Being a person of color in the ballet world has brought its own set of challenges as well. There have been moments of feeling like I didn’t fully belong in certain spaces, or questioning where I fit within an industry that hasn’t always reflected a wide range of identities and experiences. Navigating that has been a journey in itself—learning to stay grounded in who I am while also pushing for greater inclusivity and representation.
Another ongoing challenge has been resisting the urge to compare my journey to others in the dance industry. In such a competitive field, it’s easy to feel like you’re behind or not on the “right” timeline. I’ve had to continually remind myself that no two paths are the same—every artist’s journey is uniquely their own, and there isn’t just one way to build a career in this field.
As I moved into higher levels of training and eventually into the professional world, the challenges shifted. Navigating auditions, rejection, and the uncertainty of a dance career has been a constant learning process. There’s also the physical and mental demand of sustaining a career in dance while continuing to grow artistically.
At the same time, those challenges have shaped me in meaningful ways. They’ve pushed me to be adaptable, grounded, and intentional about the kind of artist and educator I want to be. My path hasn’t been linear, but it’s given me a deeper sense of purpose and appreciation for every opportunity I’ve had.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a professional dancer and dance educator. My work primarily lives in the contemporary ballet space, where I’m able to blend classical technique with more grounded, expressive movement. I’m especially drawn to processes that are collaborative and push physicality, musicality, and emotional range. Since I started dance later, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for both the technical and human side of the work. I tend to approach movement with a strong sense of intention and curiosity, and I’m known for being adaptable in different creative processes and with a wide range of choreographic voices. Whether it’s more classical repertoire or contemporary creation, I value clarity, texture, and storytelling in how I move.
Alongside performing, teaching recently has become more present in my work. As a teacher, I’m more intentional than ever about creating a space where my students feel safe, included, and supported, while also being challenged and pushed to grow. I strive to foster an environment where they can take risks, build confidence, and develop both technically and artistically. I care deeply about meeting students where they are and helping them build not just technical strength, but confidence and a sense of individuality in their artistry.
What I’m most proud of is the path I’ve taken to get here. Starting later, and finding my place as a person of color in the ballet world has shaped how I show up in this field. Those experiences have given me a strong sense of resilience and purpose, and they inform both how I perform and how I teach.
I think what sets me apart is that combination of lived experience, adaptability, and perspective. I bring a grounded, intentional presence into the studio, and I’m deeply invested in the work—not just in how it looks, but in what it communicates and who it reaches.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Although I perform in high-pressure, physically demanding environments, I’m someone who values stillness and reflection just as much. A lot of my growth as an artist comes from quiet observation and internal processing—taking time to absorb, reflect, and understand before responding. It’s a more introspective side of my practice that isn’t always visible from the outside, but it deeply informs how I move, interpret, and connect to the work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @aiamcinnes
