In Conversation With Kayla Mak, Ballet’s Rising Force

KAYLA Mak has been busy. The brilliant artist — whom I first became acquainted with during my trip to Mexico City earlier this summer — started dancing at four years old in a small competition studio in Westchester, NY, after watching Barbie in the Nutcracker. She loved the elegance of the dancers’ gazes and was keen to emulate their gestures.

“As I started dancing, a big role model of mine was — and still is — Misty Copeland,” she says. “Her emergence into the dance world with an unconventional background was truly inspiring, and her drive to give back to her community is something I idolise about her,” Mak reflects, as we begin to settle into our conversation.

_{Photographers: Andrew White and Sam Bates}

“I grew up in a competition studio, training in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, musical theatre, tap, and hip hop. During my sophomore year of high school, I competed on NBC’s World of Dance, where I competed as a soloist and performed contemporary-ballet routines,” she adds. This marked Mak’s first time dancing on screen, which she describes as an exciting experience.

“I spent a year training in ballet at Ballet Academy East, commuting into the city every day during my junior year of high school. I really enjoyed my time training and performing,” she opines. “It was such a technical push, and I learned so much from the experience.”

After that moment, she attended Juilliard, earning a BFA in Dance — a period she describes as one of the most life-changing times of her life. “Being part of an institution with so much generosity, both artistically, academically, and socially, was such a gift, and I am so grateful to all of the teachers and faculty,” she says.

Her most memorable performance at Juilliard was Spring Dances 2023. “I performed Justin Peck’s In Creases. It was such a challenge for me, and that’s what I loved most about it: the rewarding feeling of accomplishing the piece and leaving my heart and soul on stage,” she recalls.

During Mak’s junior year at Juilliard, she was given the opportunity to join ABT Studio Company the following season. “Alicia Graf Mack, our dean of Juilliard Dance, created this program where third-year students who are presented with a job opportunity can accept it during their senior year and complete Juilliard in a hybrid format,” she explains.

_{Photographers: Andrew White and Sam Bates}

“I joined Studio Company at the beginning of my senior year, simultaneously being a student at Juilliard and a dancer with ABT Studio Company. This was one of the most pivotal moments in my life, as I entered a world I had never imagined would be possible after college.”

Sascha Radetsky, artistic director of American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, was especially welcoming and understanding of her background. “In the first months of Studio Company, I felt like I was thrown into the deep end, but with the help of Yan Chen, Sascha, and the artistic staff of ABT, I realized that with time and hard work, I could achieve anything; I just needed to give myself grace and patience.”

During her time with Studio Company, Mak has been pushed physically and mentally like never before. “I never thought I would get through it, but coming out on the other side – still figuring out my bearings – showed me that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”

On Dance as a Form of Expression

“The expression of dance is one of my favorite parts about the artform. It is a personal journey that only you can understand for yourself and experience. One of the aspects of performing that I find so liberating is the ability to be anyone you want on stage. To play these different roles and have this energy that you don’t usually hold off the stage is something so interesting to me. To have all of these different masks and facades that you can tune into to be able to tell a story or connect with the audience is very special and a responsibility I take very seriously as an artist. It gives me this sense of confidence that I can try to channel in everyday life!”

On The Joys and Thrills of Dance

“Oh boy! Dance is such a powerful thing, in my life, but also just in the world! I get such a thrill from performing, but not for the attention or approval, but to have the opportunity to affect someone in the audience. I believe this to be such a privilege! To be enthralled with the world around you and getting lost in movement is something so therapeutic and cures me like no other. Getting to feel something on stage and have that resonate with just one person in the audience is a win for me. Dance is such a universal language that can be interpreted in so many ways, whether it is watched by a fellow artist or someone on the street, dance can be understood and taken in by all!”

On Dance’s Hardships and Systemic Complexities

“Throughout my life I have faced some hardships, whether it be, being the only Asian girl at an audition for Radio City Clara, and unconsciously wondering why none of the girls looked like me, building up to feel comfortable in my skin and embracing being different, or finding my true identity as an artist! I would say another dance hardship that I am facing now is trying to find where I belong in this dance world. I feel like as an artist, I fell in love with the physical and technical side of ballet as well as the emotional grasp contemporary has. I feel a bit torn between the two worlds and in different settings, I see myself in different lights and still trying to discover who I am as a performer and artist.”

_{Photographers: Andrew White and Sam Bates}

On Mental Health

“I believe mental health to be so vital in the life of a dancer. Half the battle of ballet is mental and it is such a strong force in the studio everyday. My teacher once told me, if you have a determined mentality, you can move mountains, and that really motivated me. Step by step you can achieve so much, with the right mentality and patience you can achieve so much. I always try to be aware of my mental health and what I need in the moments of struggle or self doubt. The people you surround yourself with ,as well as, how you spend your time alone is something I have found plays big parts in one’s mental health.”

On Future Hopes and Expectations

“Personally, in my future, I just want to be happy and share my love for dance and artistry around the world. It was such a dream to perform and be a part of ABT, and I still can’t believe it has become a reality and I get to say I will be joining as an apprentice this month. I want to keep growing and learning all I can, using all of my resources and deepening my connection with the artform and the people that surround it. I am excited and curious about the future, but come to it with an open mind and heart.”

by Chidozie Obasi