Introduction
Introducing Kortlyn Jones
Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Kortlyn Jones is a vibrant and passionate dancer who has been gracing the stage since she was five years old. Starting her journey in church as a little dancer waving worship flags, Kortlyn quickly became fascinated by the expressive power of movement. She discovered how dance brings words and sounds to life, captivating audiences with every step.
A Diverse Dance Journey
Kortlyn’s love for dance spans multiple genres, with hip hop and pointe being her favorites. She believes these two forms, though distinct, allow her to express different facets of her personality and creativity. Kortlyn dances for two studios, teaches at a third, and is currently enrolled in the dance program at her high school. Her dedication to her craft is evident, and she plans to continue her dance education in college.
Overcoming Challenges
As a Brown Ballerina, Kortlyn has faced several challenges, including biases, stereotyping, limited access to resources, and inappropriate costuming and makeup.
Biases and stereotyping have often questioned her suitability for classical ballet, a field that has traditionally valued certain body types and skin colors. Despite this, Kortlyn’s resilience has shone through, even when she wasn’t selected for certain roles or competitions due to preconceived notions.
Limited access to resources has also been a hurdle. Financial barriers often limit access to high-quality training and essential resources like pointe shoes. Kortlyn shared an instance where she and her dance team were accepted into a prestigious summer program but couldn’t attend due to a lack of scholarships.
Inappropriate costuming and makeup have also posed challenges. Ballet companies and schools often do not provide costumes and makeup suitable for darker skin tones, leading to additional expenses for Brown Ballerinas. Kortlyn and her teammates have had to resort to creative solutions like dyeing costumes in tea or coffee to match their skin tones.
Addressing these challenges requires increasing diversity and inclusion efforts within ballet companies and schools, promoting representation, and providing targeted support and resources for Brown Ballerinas.
What Sets Kortlyn Apart
Kortlyn’s passion for dance is what truly sets her apart. She uses dance as a medium to express her deepest emotions, much like a poet uses words or an artist uses paint. Her expressive dance moves and facial expressions captivate audiences, making them feel the emotions behind the music.
Kortlyn’s desire to represent diversity and her ability to infuse traditional ballet with elements of her cultural heritage enrich the art form. Her resilience and advocacy for greater inclusivity within the dance community further distinguish her as a unique and powerful force in the world of dance.
Inspiration and Future Goals
Debbie Allen has been a significant inspiration for Kortlyn. Mrs. Allen’s journey from facing racial prejudice to becoming a trailblazer for African American women in dance and entertainment resonates deeply with Kortlyn. Mrs. Allen’s establishment of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) to provide opportunities for young dancers from diverse backgrounds is a testament to her unwavering commitment to her art and community. Kortlyn aspires to follow in her footsteps and become a powerhouse in the dance world.
Kortlyn envisions various initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in ballet, such as establishing mentorship programs for aspiring Brown Ballerinas, advocating for representation in ballet companies and schools, creating community platforms for support and connection, and inspiring future generations through mentorship and role modeling.
Upcoming Performances
Kortlyn has several upcoming performances:
- Fearless Dance Empire is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an end-of-season show, “The Rise of a Great Empire,” on Saturday, June 29th at 6:00 pm at the James Weldon Johnson Auditorium at Coppin State University. Tickets are available at the Fearless Dance Empire Studio, 2026 Greenmount Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Studio A Dance, Modeling, and Etiquette is hosting an end-of-year show, “Black Girl Dance,” on Sunday, June 23rd at 4:00 pm at the Murphy Fine Arts Center at Morgan State University. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
- A Brush of Art Visual and Performing Arts Center will feature Kortlyn’s students in their end-of-year recital on Saturday, June 15th at 1:00 pm at the Randallstown Resource Center. Tickets are available at the door.
Stay Connected
You can follow Kortlyn’s journey and connect with her on Instagram @lovekortlyn.
We hope you enjoyed learning about Kortlyn Jones, our Brown Ballerina of the Month. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and updates from the world of dance!
Website: www.mybrownballerina.com
Contact Information
Others may contact me via my Instagram page @lovekortlyn.
Social Media Handle:
Instagram: @lovekortlyn
Website: www.mybrownballerina.com
We hope you enjoyed learning about Kortlyn Jones, our Brown Ballerina of the Month. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and updates from the world of dance!