I’ve had the opportunity of working with a special young lady who has taught me a lot about what it means to be a dancer. She even took the time out of her busy schedule to teach me choreography for “Realization,” a dance choreographed by Gretchen Moore that both of us will performing at West Virginia University this weekend! So, without further ado, allow me to present this week’s campus spotlight, Chelsea Krinock!
Q: What is your major?
A: Elementary education.
Q: What do you plan to do after you graduate college?
A: After college, I plan to attend graduate school (hopefully Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee) to attain my master’s in special education.
Q: How long have you been dancing?
A: I have been dancing since I was seven ( almost 14 years).
Q: Do you plan on keeping dance a part of your life as you go on?
A: I plan to always have dance as a part of my life in some way, even if it is just taking Zumba classes!
Q: What do you do on campus?
A: On campus, I am a part of 4-H and soon plan to join Kappa Delta PI, the education honorary. Induction will be held in just a few weeks! The main organization that I am affiliated with on campus is the West Virginia Wesleyan Dance Company. This weekend, we will be taking classes and performing in Morgantown, W.Va. for a festival. We will also be performing at the West Virginia Festival in April that is held in Charleston, W.Va.
Q: What does it mean to be a dancer, especially so far away from where you grew up?
A: My hometown is Mount Pleasant, Pa., so most of my dancing has taken part in the state of Pennsylvania, but since freshman year, dance has brought me great opportunities in the state of West Virginia, and I am proud to represent our dance company.
Q: Has there ever been a moment where you felt like you had to prove yourself through dance? Any injuries?
A: One of the hardest things I have had to go through was having back surgery. Even though it was not caused by dance, it still affected my everyday life, including my ability to perform. I was diagnosed in seventh grade with scoliosis. In the summer of 2012, my scoliosis had gotten so severe that I had to have two titanium rods and 20 screws inserted into my back. This was a huge turning point for my dance career. Going through six months with no physical activity made me wonder if I was going to dance again. I am so blessed today to say that I am still dancing and doing what I love. It was and still is a lot of hard work, but I am so grateful to still be dancing today.
Q: What is your favorite or least favorite memory of dancing?
A: I can honestly say that I don’t have any bad memories from dance. All my memories have been fun and will never be forgotten. My absolute favorite memories from dance are going to dance competitions. I have made new friendships and grown as a dancer from the competitions I have been to throughout my life.
Q: Do you have any advice for other dancers?
A: Always put emotion into your dances and really tell a story. You don’t have to be the most flexible or the one with the longest legs to be an amazing dancer, all you need is passion.