The dance world can be one that is extremely competitive, selective, and at times one that is not consistent like some other career paths may be. It is vital to have tough skin and the ability to overcome setbacks.”
Basics:
2013 Graduate of Souhegan High School, Amherst
Class of 2017, University of New Hampshire: Double Major in Dance and Psychology, Minor in Deaf Studies
KBDS Roots:
Rachel began her love of dance in a KBDS baby ballet class at the age of two. From then on, she began expanding her interest to more genres of dance, continuously adding more classes to her training and new challenges to her love of dance. Rachel took classes in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, tap, lyrical and theater dance. Rachel was a long-time member of the Kathy Blake Dance Companies, performing at Dance Excellence in 2011, competing with the team and also as a soloist, and eventually moving into a teaching position.
Beyond the Studio:
During her senior year of high school, Rachel wrote, choreographed and directed her own original dance production called The Timeless Beat. Since leaving KBDS, Rachel has joined the UNH Dance Company, which specializes in Ballet, Jazz, Rhythm Tap, and Aerial Dance. As part of her training as a Dance Major, Rachel has begun training in Aerial Arts, which has provided her a unique skill set that is highly valued in the commercial dance industry. During Summer 2015, Rachel will return to the School of Creative and Performing Arts in NYC as a Dance Program Intern for the Advanced Contemporary/Jazz Program. Rachel herself trained at this intensive as a student for two years, and this is her second year as an Intern. Rachel will continue her training and remain highly involved in the industry, building her dance network.