We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kaelyn Gray. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kaelyn below.
Kaelyn , appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
In August 2024, I stood on the edge of a decision that would change everything. It wasn’t just a career move. It was a reckoning with fear, self-doubt, and years of waiting for the “perfect” time to bet on myself.
As a tap dancer, educator, and mentor with 25 years under my belt, I had poured my heart into teaching others to find their rhythm—literally and figuratively. I had judged competitions, mentored rising stars, and developed an entire curriculum from scratch. I even launched Bring Tap to the People, a small side project that organically grew into a global resource sold in over 100 countries. But despite all of that, I realized I had never fully owned my talent.
I was standing at a crossroads—the safe and familiar path, or the unknown road where dreams either soar or sink. The comfortable choice would have been easy. But easy never built legacies.
So I jumped.
And let me be clear—it wasn’t a graceful leap. It was a full-bodied, heart-split-wide-open, terrifying swan dive into the unknown. No parachute. Just faith.
The moment I chose myself, the Universe responded—loudly. Quickly.
By October, doors began to open in ways I never imagined. A blank space appeared—an empty building, a fresh start, and 17 students and parents (some I’d never met!) who believed in me enough to follow. Their courage mirrored my own, and they quickly became my reason, my light, my proof that this path wasn’t just possible—it was right.
In those early months, I asked myself big questions:
Could I build a dance program that truly empowers kids to own their gifts? Could we create a space where artistry meets authenticity? Where a child’s self-worth grows in tandem with their technique?
The answer, one brick at a time, was yes.
The grind was real. It still is. There were hard days, anxious nights, and moments when I questioned everything. But every time I asked, “Okay Universe, whatcha got today?”—the answer came. I learned to thrive in that space, in the building, the shaping, the creating.
All of the years I spent working, building, observing, and growing were not in vain. They were training me for this. And in June 2025, that vision becomes reality with the grand opening of Strive Dance Collective in Edgewood, Kentucky—a state-of-the-art facility and home for a new kind of dance education.
Strive is more than a studio. It’s a movement. A mission. A place for children to grow into who they’re meant to be—not just as dancers, but as confident, whole human beings. Individuals who own their talents, full stop.
Even more fulfilling is this: Strive is also a blank slate for other artists. A place where creatives across NKY and Greater Cincinnati can build their own dream programs—Ballroom, Jazz, Street, Ballet, Contemporary, and yes, Tap of course! Tap Dance, Jazz Music, Hip Hop….Vernacular Jazz….a place where these work hand in hand, collaboration is encouraged, and historically we are honoring those who came before us – the right way. We’re building a collective where creativity is currency, and where iron sharpens iron.
Because here’s what I know now:
There is never a perfect time. But there is always the right time—and it’s the moment you choose you.
If you’re standing at your own crossroads, unsure if the leap is worth it, I’ll tell you this:
Take it.
Trust the grind.
Bet on yourself.
You are more ready than you think.
@kaegraydance
@bringtap_tothepeople
@strivedancecollective
#BringTapToThePeople
Kaelyn , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
For over two decades, I’ve been lucky enough to live a life surrounded by rhythm, movement, and inspiration. From my home base near Cincinnati, Ohio, to studios and stages across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, I’ve had the joy of teaching dancers of all ages and backgrounds—sharing not just technique, but the energy and joy that dance brings to our lives! It’s life’s medicine.
My professional journey began at 18 when I joined the cast of Krash Boom Bang!, a groundbreaking tap and drum show at Cedar Point. It was a first of its kind for theme parks, and I knew even then—I was exactly where I was meant to be. Not long after, I became the youngest choreographer and creative director for Paramount’s Kings Island and King’s Dominion, where I created Pulse, a show that toured for more than three years. Years later I found myself a finalist on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” – which led to more open doors and discovering that my talents and teachings were not only desired, but respected.
I’ve taught alongside some of the most giant of artists, and I have always taken these opportunities to learn more, more, and even more! My thirst for knowledge of this art form and its deep history is what keeps me alive!
But beyond credits and accolades, what defines me most is my deep connection to the art form. Dance has been with me through every season of life—through triumphs and challenges. It’s more than a career; it’s a calling. Teaching is where it all comes full circle. There’s nothing more fulfilling than helping someone, whether it’s a child or a fellow artist, discover their voice through movement.
I believe in always being a student. In this digital age, there’s inspiration around every corner—take class, watch, learn, grow. And while we honor the greats who came before us, we must also find courage to carve our own paths. That philosophy has guided me every step of the way.
Through my tutorials, regular classes at Strive, and online resources, my hope is to spark creativity in others—to help reignite a love for teaching or open new doors in your own artistry as a tap dancer. No matter where you are in your journey, know this: I’m dancing right alongside you, and have been in your shoes!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I used to think that my value as an artist and employee was measured by applause, job offers, and the approval of others. It’s a lie that seeps in quietly— comparison. One of my biggest mentors in life, Gregg Russell, used to end every class with “it’s always a share, never a compare!”
And before you know it, it becomes the lens through which you view your work, your talent, your worth. I stayed in that mindset for years, specifically the last 8 or so years as #BTP started receiving recognition outside of my home state. I felt like I was stuck in the same place, year after year, and I knew there was more out there for me, but it was more comfortable for OTHERS when I stayed “small” . Confidence is not Ego, and I knew if I stayed in the same hampster wheel I would possibly never get off. Life keeps spinning!
Unlearning that value is external.
Unlearning that someone else gets to decide when you’re “ready.”
Unlearning that toxic environments are “part of the biz” (if anything it’s a dream killer!)
Unlearning that you have to earn the right to be confident.
These weren’t easy lessons. They didn’t come through one breakthrough moment.
Through years of quiet reflection, hard conversations with family, close friends, other professionals who have taken the leap themselves I truly began to have a DEEP desire to live in my purpose—on my own terms.
I had to ask myself: What would happen if I stopped chasing validation and started trusting my instincts? What if I finally realized I actually had the ability and leadership skills to create the environment of my dreams?
That shift changed everything. I started to take bolder risks. I started saying yes to opportunities that scared me—and no to the ones that didn’t align. I began to see that believing in myself wasn’t arrogance. It was necessary.
When I finally let go of the need for permission, I discovered that my value had never been in question. It had only been waiting for me to recognize it myself.
It’s not about erasing the past—it’s about rewriting the narrative. Your worth doesn’t increase with likes, or contracts, or applause. It is present in the fact that you show up, that you create, that you care. And I want to pass that confidence onto every child in my classroom.
The leap doesn’t come after the confidence.
The leap builds the confidence!
How did you build your audience on social media?
When I first started using Instagram, I didn’t have a master plan. I wasn’t chasing follower counts or trying to “hack the algorithm.” I just wanted to connect—to share my love for dance, teaching, and creativity with people who felt the same pull toward rhythm and artistry. In 2025, social media presence is an essential part of your brand! But I didn’t want to sacrifice my integrity, feel like I had to impress 24/7 …. I just had to be me.
And somehow, by staying true to that, a community started to form.
I didn’t build a following by going viral. I built it by being visible. I showed up consistently—not as a polished, filtered version of myself, but as an artist in progress. I posted the real stuff: rehearsals, behind-the-scenes moments, teaching clips, the good takes, the messy takes, the moments that remind us why we love this work in the first place.
All the while balancing (with my students) and teaching them that social media does have its pitfalls – the kids today have so much weight on their shoulders – so keeping myself accountable with what I put out in the Universe is key. The kids are always watching!
What I’ve learned is that people don’t just want to be inspired—they want to feel seen. They want connection. They want to know that the person behind the screen is human, honest, and passionate. So I made a promise to myself: if I’m going to post, it has to come from that place!! I have to walk the walk.
I talk directly to my followers like I would in a classroom or at a convention. I share tips, reflections, and reminders that we’re all figuring it out as we go. I celebrate small wins. I uplift other artists. I answer questions. I ask them. I invite people in. My favorite thing to say is “if you don’t know, how could you possibly know?” – I’m always researching, saving, craving more insight.
And it’s grown—not just in numbers, but in meaning. Because what I’ve built isn’t just a following—it’s a community. One that’s rooted in mutual respect, creativity, and a shared love of movement.
If you’re an artist wondering how to grow online, here’s my advice: don’t focus on being “influential.” Focus on being authentic. Let your feed be an extension of your purpose. Be generous. Be real. Share what lights you up, and trust that the right people will find you!! It’s unreal the amount of fans and followers who write me and tell me they’ve been following me for over a decade! They have seen the growth – step by step – and these fellow creators and teachers are truly the backbone of #BTP. They saw “me” before “I” ever did…. And I’m grateful for every one of them!
Lead with passion. Ignore the noise. Put out in the Universe what you want in return. Like in dance, slow and steady is the way!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.tapdancetutorials.com
- Instagram: @kaegraydance / @bringtap_tothepeople / @strivedanvecollective
- Facebook: Kaelyn Gray
Image Credits
@CoreyRivesVisualArt