Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alexa Kornas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Alexa, thanks for 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.
“I took the biggest risk of all, betting on my own abilities and diving into a new lane within the dance industry. Currently, I am a professional dancer based in Los Angeles, and like any ambitious graduate, I pursued my dream immediately after college. However, everything changed once the pandemic happened, and it was during this time that a completely new persona came over me and changed me for better. To be honest, I seriously contemplated giving up dance altogether. I felt that my standing in the industry was insufficient to sustain my career, let alone envision the dance world’s survival post-pandemic.
Amongst my self-doubt and financial constraints, I convinced myself in need of a backup plan and turned my attention to real estate. What was once a hobby of daydreaming about my dream home quickly transformed into a goal of immersing myself in the housing market. After months of studying, gaining my certification, and found myself within a reputable brokerage, I realized that I had strayed far from my authentic self and ventured into real estate due to a perceived lack of alternatives, without ever envisioning it as part of my future.
Over the years, numerous friends and family members consistently suggested that I consider a teaching career. They spoke highly of my patience, attention to detail, and ability to create a comfortable learning environment. However, I always dismissed this idea. Firstly, I had an inherent fear of public speaking, so the thought of teaching a classroom full of aspiring dancers seemed daunting. Secondly, teaching was not a path I had envisioned for myself; I aspired to be the dancer behind the artist, not the person making the decisions for the artist.
Three years later, I can say that I have completely gotten rid of that that fear and cannot see myself doing anything else. I have not only taught at three major studios in Los Angeles but also established my own brand, Lines With Lex, while exploring this new passion of min. I embarked on my teaching journey by hosting drop-in classes among close friends, gradually becoming more at ease standing in front of a room and exuding confidence in what I had to offer. My style involves dancing with stiletto heels, catering to the demands of the industry, and I have developed unique choreography that complements various body types. I now take immense pride in my work, continuously expanding my brand to encompass artist development and choreographing for artists, prominent brands, and showcases.
Although the risk I took may not seem ‘risky’ to others within the industry, considering my background as a dancer, I simply didn’t feel ready to abandon my career and embark on an entirely new path. The idea of teaching persisted, and eventually, I embraced it. However, I struggled with the belief that I had something valuable to offer, which placed tremendous pressure on me to delve deep within myself and recognize my untapped potential. I had to maintain faith that the industry would support me once I demonstrated my capabilities. While I am still in the early stages of this new journey, I am excited of the many risks I am willing to take to establish myself in this industry.”
Alexa, 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?
My passion for dance began at a young age when my mother enrolled me in dance classes at a local competition studio. Over the course of fifteen years, I honed my knowledge of various dance styles and developed a deep sense of discipline. It was during this time that I started considering dance as a potential career path. I pursued my education at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, where I successfully earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Throughout my four years at university, I had the opportunity to explore dance in New York and LA. It was during these experiences that I discovered my love for dance did not lie in ballet and modern dance, but rather in the commercial side of the industry—performing alongside artists on stage, in music videos, and on television. I quickly found a community in Detroit that introduced me to this style of training. Joining hip hop crews and becoming a member of the NFL and NBA dance teams allowed me to fully immerse myself in this world and understand the pressures of the industry. After relocating to Los Angeles, I began training at major studios and networking with fellow dancers and choreographers. Within the first year, I secured representation through an agent. From that point on, maintaining relationships with the choreographers and fellow dancers became a priority, with the ultimate goal of securing more performance opportunities in the future.
As I continued my training, I noticed a growing trend of dancing in heels. After taking a consistent amount of classes, I discovered how much I enjoyed myself while performing in heels and recognized how seamlessly it integrated into my artistic journey. The confidence I exuded while dancing in heels set me apart from my peers, solidifying my decision to teach this style. Drawing upon my extensive experience and classical background, I found my unique voice in choreography. “Lines With Lex” eloquently represents my dedication to precision and grace in heel dancing, as well as my ability to blend different musical genres into my choreographic creations. While my brand continues to grow, the overwhelmingly positive response thus far serves as a testament to the fact that I am exactly where I am meant to be, reveling in the opportunity to share my artistry. I can genuinely say that I love what I do and more importantly the impact I have made thus far. 
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Lines with Lex as a brand encompasses various aspects of the industry, including teaching the heels technique, choreography, and creative direction. As I continue to be a part of the community, I recognize that there is a greater role for me, and I aspire for both my brand and myself to contribute to the change in this industry. One of my main goals is to be a part of the next generation of educators and choreographers, collaborating with incredible dancers and artists. I aim to bring about change in working environments and classrooms, fostering an environment of growth and positivity.
Additionally, I want to establish a reputation for my heels choreography, being recognized for its uniqueness and sense of creativity. Dare I say it? I want to be Iconic. I strive to leave a lasting impression, even though I may not have a specific blueprint of how to achieve it, I am confident that I will make it happen. Through Lines with Lex, my ultimate aim is to create change, capture meaningful moments, and instill confidence in those who experience my work.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
This is an intriguing question because I have been dealing with the idea of unlearning and relearning for quite some time. However, it’s challenging for me to pinpoint everything that needs to be unlearned at this moment in my life. Recently, I’ve been focusing on unlearning the belief that there is a right and wrong way of doing something especially in the dance industry. This realization may seem insignificant to others, but it holds great significance for me. Growing up, I was taught that there was a specific order to follow in everything, from small tasks to starting a career. It seemed like there was a step-by-step process that guaranteed success. However, in the dance industry, I’ve come to understand that this is not the case. I often find myself asking questions and seeking to understand how others have approached similar situations. But here’s the thing: their situations are not identical, and no one can tell me exactly how to do my job.
It’s not that asking questions is wrong, but I believe anyone who tends to overthink can relate, regardless of the situation. However, I am learning to trust my instincts, improve my communication skills, and recognize that I am knowledgeable enough to handle any situation that comes my way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lineswithlex.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just.be.lex/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lineswithlex
Image Credits
Valencia Free Nick Gonzalez