Trio of aspiring dance professionals look to elevate career to next level
For some, going back to your roots can be the best option to advance your career path.
Kaitlin Yankovich, Abigail Mosier and Will VanSlander are sharing their knowledge on the floors of where they first discovered their passion for dance. These three talented teachers are looking to use the April School of Dance as a platform to share their expertise and knowledge to dancers of all ages this summer, from beginners to those who are further along with the art.
Eventually, Yankovich, Mosier and VanSlander are intending to pursue dance in some professional capacity, and hope that this teaching experience leads them to more opportunities going forward. Yankovich, who recently graduated with a degree of Fine Arts in Dance from Slippery Rock University, still keeps an eye on the younger dancers she helped mentor as she herself navigates on her own career path and dance journey.
“I’ve seen students grow from when I saw them in pre-dance to where they are now in middle school and high school,” Yankovich said. “The progress that these students have made is inspiring.”
Mosier, meanwhile, expressed that she has an increased passion in injury prevention and wants to expand her knowledge through these classes in that particular area. Mosier is currently enrolled at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
“I feel like having an opportunity to start formulating these ways of transferring information and getting a curriculum set up is a good starting off point for a future business,” Mosier said.
To round out the group is VanSlander, who already has had an amazing opportunity to showcase his talents this past year. He was selected to dance in Ashley Marina’s music video, as Marina was featured on the fifteenth season of “America’s Got Talent.”
Before beginning this upcoming fall semester at Slippery Rock University, he looks to expand on his growth as a teacher and offered advice to those who are interested in exploring the waters with the art of dance.
“I always tell people to not be shy,” VanSlander said. “It’s really just about going for it because that’s the way you are going to learn the most.”
Together this trio is taking steps forward into what will hopefully be a career working in professional dance while making a profound impact in the Elk County community.