Check Out Kim Clay’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Clay.

Hi Kim, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was fortunate enough to start dancing around age 5. It instantly became all I ever wanted to do, and led me to several professional performance contracts, a BFA, an MFA, and now, a position in higher education as a professor.

My love for dance is my compass. I am always learning from it, aiming to inspire others with it and following its lead.

I am incredibly grateful for my journey. I have performed across the globe in gorgeous theatres, aboard cruise ships, in museums, and at professional sporting events, and still wake up every day ready to learn more. I am beyond grateful for the responsibility and privilege I have as an artist, and consider myself lucky to have the opportunity to share my love for dance with others.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a performing artist definitely comes with some financial struggles, and I’m so fortunate to have a partner who has been there for me and supported me during tough times.

For example, right out of graduate school -with an MFA- I had five part-time jobs and couldn’t even pay my student loan bill each month. I worked incredibly hard to make it to where I am today, and that would not have been possible without the love and support of the wonderful people in my life.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a choreographer, I strive to create work that is accessible to both my dancers and audience members. While I appreciate high art and work that is vividly complicated, my aesthetic is more about relationships, the joy of dance, and the human experience. I very much enjoy site-specific dance for camera work in addition to being in the theatre. Being behind the camera has always intrigued me – in both photography and film – so combining that with my love for dance is incredibly fulfilling.

As an educator, I believe in meeting students where they are and honoring their individuality. I tell my students, “human first, dancer second.” I ask them to learn the choreography but make it their own, and to be grateful and confident in their bodies. I value progress over perfection, a sense of community in the studio, and acknowledging that dancers are both athletes and artists.

As both a choreographer and educator, I believe it is imperative to honor those who came before us and give credit to our “dancestors”. Say where the movement comes from, and who created it, and share as much footage with students as possible. There are so many who paved the way for us and we must say their names and tell their stories.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I think supporting dance on a global scale is incredibly important. Going to the theatre, supporting local dance companies, and staying connected to the arts remind us that dance is a universal language.

In fact, many believe it was our first language – before we were speaking or writing, we were dancing. So whether we are purchasing a ticket to a Broadway show, or helping lay the foundation for a community arts center, contributing in whatever way we can to the arts is incredibly important for our future.

Contact Info:

• Website: kimclay.me
• Instagram:www.instagram.com/kimberlyannclay/ 

Image Credits
Joel David Richardson and James Browder