We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kay Rediers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kay, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I started dancing as a student at Redford High School in Detroit. Dance was considered a physical education credit, so I tried it. I loved the authentic nature of this art form. I loved how I could express myself through movement and music. I had a wonderful teacher, Ms. Jewett who encouraged me to be my best. She even let me teach a class or two! I continued participating in dance classes even after my physical education requirements were fulfilled. Dance was a way for me to escape. As I began college, I thought I would go into dance or art therapy. I signed up for modern dance 101. Midway through the semester, I was encouraged to audition for the Wayne State University dance company. I was accepted and became a dance major. This is where my passion really flourished.

Kay, 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?

I am the Director of Dance at Cranbrook Schools. The program concentrates on modern/contemporary dance technique and composition work in a non-competitive environment. Students have opportunities to explore and develop their creativity and find their voice through artistic expression. The dancers participate in at least three performances a year, such as the Winter Festival Concert and the Evening of Dance. Students also have an opportunity to present their original choreography at the Strickland Choreography Competition where a panel of three professionals in the dance field select a winning piece. Cranbrook dancers are often invited to perform as guests with professional dance companies. Before Cranbrook, I was the Associate Artistic Director and Outreach Education Director for Detroit Dance Collective, DDC. With DDC, I also performed featured roles in pieces created by the artistic directors. I also choreographed pieces for the company. With DDC, we toured throughout Michigan and around the country presenting stunning and meaningful dances to audiences of all ages. We often collaborated with visual artists, poets and composers which is something that I continue to do with Cranbrook dance students.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a dance teacher and choreographer is witnessing the completed work on stage. The moment all the hard work, brainstorming, decision making, and choices all come together. When the lights are set, the audience is in their seats, the dancers are confident and well rehearsed and that fleeting movement that the dance is performed. I often collaborate with my students who are performing the piece. I have an idea, create a few movement patterns based on that idea, and then teach it to the students. The students may do research on the topic, and then create variations of the patterns that they are taught. I then find a way to juxtapose those movement sequences. I love to see the variety of ideas that come through these young dance artists. They have so much to contribute! This is also a way for students to experience choreographic process and learn about choreographic tools and devices.
When this process all comes together, it is truly rewarding and fulfilling.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In 2019, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. This occurred at the beginning of the school year. I had classes to plan, choreography to start, and it was my son’s senior year of college as a musical theatre performance major. There was a lot going on in my life. Fortunately, my cancer was caught in the early stages and my treatment involved surgery and radiation. Throughout this, my students, colleagues, and friends were so supportive. That’s when I created a dance titled Kindred Spirits, based on the idea of community coming together to support one another. I can’t remember being worn down from the radiation treatment, I just put my mind on creating. I am healthy and cancer free and feel stronger than ever.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rediers/?hl=en
• Facebook: facebook.com/kay.rediers
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kay-rediers-a9507814

Image Credits
Tom Kramer, John Sobczak