Growing up just north of Los Angeles, I was no stranger to the world of entertainment. I started dancing at 2 years old, and it stuck like glue. I have trained formally in ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary and tap – tap being my favorite.
The studio I grew up in provided me with every opportunity to perform – at our yearly competition, community events such as the Fourth of July parades and Halloween and our studio’s June recital and winter “The Nutcracker.” I knew from a very young age there was no other career I could have other than performing.
I continued my performance experience throughout high school, joining my school’s nationally acclaimed dance team, and because of my proximity to L.A., I was introduced to the industry’s top dancers as my teachers and coaches.
My first professional show was when I was 15 in Hollywood. I loved that everything lit up at night. Seeing a venue completely change from daytime rehearsals into a nighttime performance was the most exciting thing to me.
I continued my dance education at Point Park University in Pittsburgh before moving back to L.A. I moved to Las Vegas in January 2018 after booking Cirque du Soleil’s “One Night for One Drop.” I reconnected with Leah Moyer, who was one of my teachers when I was 10 and co-artistic director of the 2018 production.
This opportunity showed me what the Las Vegas industry was and why it was. It allowed me to work with Las Vegas icons such as Blue Man Group and global icons like Hans Zimmer. I continued my career post-show on and off the Strip, expanding my profile as a dancer and model and began training in a new passion: aerial hoop.
The community of dancers and performers in Las Vegas is a small family, and we all support one another by training together, sharing audition info and cheering one another on as audience members at our shows. I had a close friend in “X Burlesque” at Flamingo Las Vegas, and after I saw her perform, I knew I wanted to be a part of the show.
For almost two years now, I have had the incredible opportunity to be a part of the renowned “X Burlesque,” which has been on the Las Vegas Strip for 22 years. As a performer in the show, I am privileged to take on nearly all the tracks and solos, showcasing my skills and passion for dance.
The cast of “X Burlesque” is nothing short of phenomenal, and being surrounded by such talented and inspirational women has been one of the best parts. I have met some of my best and lifelong friends because of the show. What I love about the show most, however, is how chal- lenging and rewarding it is. Every performance pushes me to my limits, allowing me to use training from my upbringing.
It is so fulfilling to get to do genuinely difficult choreography night after night. Some nights, I pinch myself backstage just to make sure I am not dreaming and that I am living my dream. I am so excited for many more years with “X Burlesque” and to see where we go from here.
If You Go
7 and 10 p.m. Wednesdays-Mondays. Dark on Tuesdays. Caesars.com
