Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kinsley Oykhman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Kinsley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I started taking dance classes unparented when I was 2 years old! At that age I started with ballet and learning to move my body to music. Every year I got older, I took classes in new styles of dance and loved it even more. Every year came with more hours of training and more focus and I always wanted even more! Right now, at 13 years old, I spend about 25+ hours week dancing.
I think I could have gotten to where I am faster if more opportunities existed when I was younger where I was living in Canada. Also, COVID set me back in my training as I wasn’t able to travel or take classes in person. Even with all of this though, I think I am on the right path and try not to look backwards at how I could have done better.
The skills I think that were most essential to my growth as a dancer are discipline, motivation, hard work, and musicality. I always try to be the hardest worker in the room and this usually pays off!
Some obstacles that stood in my way of learning more were some injuries I had last year, some circumstances with COVID and living in Canada and sometimes being too young or too small to dance as much as I wanted to and at the level I wanted to.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Kinsley and I am 13 years old! I am from Canada and moved last year with my family to California to pursue my dance dreams and attend the prestigious Academy training program at The Space TV. I have danced since I was two years old and started competing at the age of 6. I am very proud of myself for being on Canada’s Got Talent, winning top 3 Mini best dancer at the Dance Awards, Top 10 Junior Best Dancer and Top 6 Protoge Runner up at Radix. I am also so excited to have been chosen by Abby Lee Miller to be on the audition episode of her new show called “Season 9”. I am also very grateful to be ale to live in California and train with the most amazing teachers and choreographers. What sets me apart from others is my discipline and my dance style. There is only one Kinsley and I am very proud of how far I have come so far. I have BIG dreams ahead!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part for me about being a dancer is telling a story to the audience through my movement. I love making other people feel something through watching me dance and perform. I love being on a stage and in front of people doing what I love.
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 had to learn the hard way that you can’t trust everyone around you and that not everyone will be happy for your successes. It is difficult to be at a high level in a competitive sport when everyone around you has the same goals. Some people start as your friends or teammates and then sometimes competition brings out the worst in people. I have had to learn how to focus on myself, not compare myself to others, and how to find genuine friends.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: kinsleystella
- Twitter: kinsleystella_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaq1Nosp_6IIF_51ofCzdAA