Kallie Huffman
Kallie Huffman says ballet is wordless expression, and she's been practicing her silent communication skills for 12 years.
"I got started by just telling my mom I wanted to do ballet, and she took me to Bristol Ballet," she says.
She says when dancing "you can be yourself and have your own style."
Her style earned her the Teresangela Schiano Memorial Scholarship from Bristol Ballet. Created in memory of Teresangla Schiano by her friends and family after early untimely death, the scholarship is for dancers at the intermediate/advanced level of ballet who are also part of the performing company. The chosen dancer must be active in performing and show dedication and desire to progress and grow within the art.
Kallie is in Bristol Ballet's senior performing company and takes part in three shows a year. Her roles in "The Nutcracker" include demi soloist flowers, snow, various roles in the party scene, lead marzipan and Chinese. She has also danced in other Bristol Ballet original productions including "Jewels," "Cirque du Ballet," "Unbroken Circle," "Celtic Flair" and "Cool Christmas."
She says her two favorite ballets are "Jewels" and "Cirque du Ballet."
Her influences are "all the girls I dance with because they are like family, and we influence each other. We are like sisters, and we help each other through everything. I would also say that my mom influences me, because if it weren't for her then I would not be dancing, without her I would not have been introduced to ballet. I am also influenced by all of my dance teachers, Ms. Michele Plescia, Mrs. Pat Holden and Mrs. Beth Barnette. They push me and help me to strive for my goals."
Her goals for the future are to obtain a degree in exercise science and then study to be a physical therapist. "I want to become a physical therapist who works especially with dancers to get all athletes back to doing what they love," she says.
Her other artistic endeavors include digital video production and choir.
Kallie is 16 and a junior at Virginia High School, Bristol, Virginia. She is the daughter of Dennis and Jan Huffman.
