- 6 years old, I started with just a ballet class for my first two years
2) What do you like about dancing?
- It's such a beautiful art, yet very difficult to do.- I like that there are so many different forms - that you can express yourself in different ways and in different styles and still be a dancer - not everybody is good at all forms but you can find where you belong and what you excel at. - Oh I don't know, there are so many things that I love about it, it's hard to put all of it into words because I think there's a part of dance that's internal, that you can't express on a piece of paper. That's why we dance - to express it in a completely different way.
3) What makes you work hard and Challenge yourself?
- Looking at where I want to go and what I want to do. I focus on what I want to work up to, and and push to get closer and closer to that. I think that it's up to the person to decide if they want to get somewhere or not, you have to choose if you're going to work and get better or not.Plus my parents always taught me to have a good work ethic - I had responcibilities, and I learned that work is a good thing, not drudgery.
4) Do you have any future goals or plans with dance?
- I'm not sure how dance will fit in in the future, but it's something that I can't just go without, I don't think I would ever be able to just walk away from it completely, it's too important to me, but I don't know if it would be a career either. I just don't know right now.
5) Please share anything you would like about yourself, your studio, dance events, memories, etc.
- My favorite forms of dance are lyrical, jazz, contemporary - I wasn't ever very good at hip hop for tap, or at least don't enjoy them quite as much.I feel very blessed to be able to go to such an amazing studio, and on top of that to have it only 5 min. from my house, most people don't have it quite so easy. It's (the studio that is) really well rounded in dance education, you get a little bit of everything, and the different forms all help you in another form. I love that I can dance with my sister, Mariah, this is the first year I've had a whole bunch of classes with her, and I love it. We did a duet this year, and I think it was one of my favorites out of all the dances.Mia Michaels classes are amazing!
Teacher Interview
Caroline Holden – DanceDepartmentStoughtonCenter for the Performing Arts
1) Tell me about Kailey Tachick
One of my youngest students told me they watch Kailey perform because it is so apparent how much joy she gets from dancing. She is indeed a pleasing performer. When I first met her, 4 years ago, she reminded me of a baby colt, all legs and wobbly. Now her strength is phenomenal!
2) Why does she stand out?
Kailey was blessed with exceptional lines and extension as well as a wonderful work ethic.
3) Why is she so appreciated in class?
Kailey motivates me to push myself harder, as a teacher. As a student she quietly keeps her fellow students on track. She is friendly to the younger students and they tell me they appreciate her a lot.
4) Please share anything else about class, events, memories, etc.
Kailey has never complained to me. Think before you complain to a dance teacher, what message is it sending? Because she is so positive I want to give her more one-on-one time. I know what I have to say will be received.
One of the best things that Kailey has done for her training is that she started taking private lessons a few years ago. These lessons have helped immensely with her strength and overall technique.
In 2007 Kailey was one of the youngest dancers to be cast as the Snow Queen for the Stoughton Center for the Performing Arts annual Nutcracker production.
Caroline Holden – DanceDepartmentStoughtonCenter for the Performing Arts Caroline Holden began her dance training in 1984 under Chris Stevens, the founder of Kanopy Dance in Madison, WI. She furthered her studies at Ballet Madison under the tutelage of Charmaine Ristow. Her love of ballet and modern dance led her to leave Madison to attend high school at the North CarolinaSchool of the Arts. There she was awarded the Dean's Scholarship and was given the opportunity to study under Richard Koch, a founding member of the Martha Graham Company, and NCSA's ballet master, Melissa Hayden (of Balanchine fame). Caroline studied at The London Contemporary Dance Center under scholarship, and has attended many summer workshops including several American Dance Festivals in Durham, NC. She also attended an intensive summer study program with the David Parsons Company where she was chosen to be included in a concert of up-and-coming choreographers. Most recently she was awarded a full dance scholarship from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and while attending school, accepted an invitation to become a member of Jin-Wen Yu Dance. She is a certified Pilates instructor through The Bodymind Institute, NYC.
