Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaley Jensen.
Kaley, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and my love for dance and performing on stage began as early as I could walk. I attended Brigham Young University as a dance major and business minor performing and touring with the Theatre Ballet Company all four years. During this time I had the privilege of training on scholarship at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance and Ballet West, as well as achieving academic and international talent awards at the World Dance Movement in Italy. I went on to pursue my Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona, which was a pivotal point in my career. It was there that I deepened my passion for performing, educating, and choreographing. After my first year, I was in a serious automobile accident where I broke my back. Fortunately, I was able to recover and work my way back to dancing with the help of a dedicated pilates regimen. While at the University of Arizona, I met and married my now husband, who landed a job as a civil engineer in Dallas.
Since graduating and moving to Dallas with my husband, I have enjoyed performing and teaching with companies such as Contemporary Ballet Dallas, Collin County Ballet Theatre, Chamberlain Performing Arts and Richland College. I have also had the privilege of performing and choreographing for the national AGO conference the last two years and love traveling all over the country to collaborate with other dancers and perform for various conferences. Currently, I dance professionally as a company member of Ballet North Texas. I am also a Ballet Burn instructor and have most recently completed the Fletcher Pilates Comprehensive Program of Study to become a qualified Fletcher Pilates Instructor.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do? Why? And what do you hope others will take away from your work?
As an artist, I am a performer, teacher, and choreographer. For many years I have refined my dance technique and performance, spending countless hours in the studio training and rehearsing. In this time I have learned the value of dedication, perseverance, goal setting, and teamwork. It is the most beautiful and rewarding feeling to showcase my work through a performance medium as I share my very best I have to give the audience. Through my personal performance, it is my desire that the audience is moved and impressed in a unique way. My hope is that they leave changed with a lasting impression that motivates them to reflect or take action.
As an Instructor, I love sharing my passion and all that I am continually learning as a student myself. I am fulfilled seeing my students progress, witnessing their “ah-ha” moments and finding joy in the journey.
I believe all humans, dancers and non-dancers alike, have an innate desire to create. Through choreography, I am able to bring ideas to life through a combination of live music and movement. As a choreographer, I love to see the work evolve through a refining process with the other artists that culminates in a final performance.
When I perform or create a piece, I want others to remember it. I want them to truly appreciate the hard work, time, dedication, passion, heart and soul that each dancer gives on stage. Because when they understand this, they know the discipline that dance requires. Dance is truly a part of who I am, and I love sharing the power, grace, and inspiration it brings to the world.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
Current conditions for artists can be difficult. Dance companies and individual professionals are faced with fundraising challenges and high levels of scrutiny making it hard to generate adequate funding and legitimacy/credit from the general public. However, in some ways, life has become easier for artists with the increase in the number of professional companies, collaborative projects and a growing community of arts enthusiasts and patrons. At the same time, there is much to be done to help artists earn a respectable living and compensation for their work. Cities can get involved by supporting performances and investing in local companies and artists. It would be wonderful to increase the number of collaborations between artists and local companies— bridging the gap between art and non-artist sectors and promoting awareness as well as overall appreciation. Any struggling artist should know that they are not alone and no artist should give up on his or her passion. I truly believe that the world is a better place when the artist pursues what sets their soul on fire.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
You can follow me on social media, including Instagram and my personal Facebook account and business page for announcements to attend upcoming showcases and performances. To book freelance performing, master teaching, choreography, modeling/dance photography or private coaching, you may contact me directly via email at kaleycjensen@gmail.com.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5301 alpha road apt 321
Dallas, Texas 75240 - Website: https://www.facebook.com/kaleyclairejensen
- Phone: 678-447-6407
- Email: kaleycjensen@gmail.com
- Instagram: kaleyclaire
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaleycjens/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/kaleyclaire/
Image Credit:
Joshua Nistas: Fenix.Fox
Allan Gonzalez: AAfotos / Dfw Dance Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
