co-hosts Martheya and Azaria interview McKinley Willis. In this episode we go behind the screen and talk about McKinley’s career as a professional dancer. She shares why pursuing a BFA in Modern Dance is a way of preparing for the future, the importance of considering location when picking a school, tips for creating your network, black female artists to follow, and how she thinks about body imag
This week on DANCE BEHIND THE SCREEN PODCAST…
[0:28] Martheya and Azaria introduce McKinley Willis
QUESTIONS WITH MCKINLEY WILLIS
[1:50]Martheya asks: “Can you briefly walk us through your career path?”
[3:30]Martheya asks: “What were your thoughts of pursuing a career as a professional dancer?”
[3:48]Azaria asks: “Why did you not feel like you were good enough?”
[4:39]Martheya asks: “What was the only perspective you saw?”
[5:20]Martheya asks: “Where was the summer intensive?”
[6:07]Azaria asks: “You said it was a new environment that let you know there was a place for you?”
[7:53]Martheya asks: “Can you tell us why you chose to pursue a BFA in Modern Dance?”
[9:00]Martheya asks: “What are some of the characteristics that have prepared you?”
[10:06]Azaria asks: “What drew you to Dallas Black Dance Theater and Bruce Wood?”
[13:15]Martheya asks: “How have you created your network?”
[16:15]Azaria asks: “Do you have any specific advice for women of color?” “Have you had any of those challenges and how did you overcome them?”
[19:09]Azaria asks: “In honor of black history month are there any other dancers or choreographers who have inspired you to pursue dance?”
[23:02]Martheya asks: “Could you talk to our audience about what The Artist Expedition is?”
[26:58]Azaria asks: “How can people stay connected with The Artist Expedition?”
[30:39]Martheya asks: “What are other ways people can educate themselves?”
[31:16]Azaria asks: “What is one thing you would say to someone who is not feeling good about their body?”
[33:44] Azaria asks:
1- If you had to recommend a resource to our audience what would it be?
YouTube- Yoga With Adriene https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene
[34:23]
2- What was the first dance you saw?
“The Nutcracker”
[34:34] Azaria asks:
3- Do you think social media has a positive influence on the dance world (yes or no)?
BOTH
4- What is your favorite social media platform?
Instagram
#McKinleyWillis Recommended Resources
Academy- Dallas Black Dance Academy, https://dbdt.com/academy/
Summer Program- Alonzo King LINES, https://linesballet.org/education/summer-program/
Company- Dallas Black Dance Theatre, https://dbdt.com/
Company- Bruce Wood Dance, http://brucewoodance.org/
School- Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, https://www.dallasisd.org/domain/2797
Artist- Dr. Linda James
School- University of Oklahoma, http://dance.ou.edu/apply/
Artist- Ann M. Williams, https://dbdt.com/about/founder/
Artist- Camille A. Brown, http://www.camilleabrown.org/
Artist- Gesel Mason, https://www.geselmason.com/
Artist- Bridget L. Moore, http://www.bmooredance.org/
Event- The Artist Expedition, https://www.facebook.com/TheArtistExpedition/
YouTube- Yoga With Adriene https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene
Connect with #McKinleyWillis
Instagram- @kinley_dani | https://www.instagram.com/kinley_dani/