You may know JJGirl Kiarra Waidelich from NBC’s World of Dance, where she competed with The Rock Company in 2018. Maybe you follow her on instagram along with her other 24 K followers! Or perhaps you know her as the current Junior Female Best Dancer 2018 from The Dance Awards.  Anyway you may know her, Kiarra is a growing presence and force to be noticed in the dance world. 

We are proud that Kiarra represents Jo+Jax, and were able to sit down with her recently to ask a few questions about her accomplishments, what it’s like passing on her Best Dancer Title, and her hopes and dreams for the future. Read on to hear what she has to say! 

Kiarra, thank you for taking the time to talk with us.  What was it like to win TDA Junior Best Dancer Title? 

Winning Junior Best Dancer at The Dance Awards was a truly rewarding moment in my dance career. I felt I did the best of my ability and had the best time at my nationals, winning the title of Best Dancer was the cherry on top! I had so many vivid emotions that night, but happiness definitely prevailed! 

That’s a lot of “bests!”  We know it takes hard work and putting your best foot forward to be competitive. What was the most rewarding part of the TDA experience?

Working with Break the Floor faculty was one of the best parts of my tour experience. Assisting these teachers gave me the opportunity to explore my dancing and improve on styles i wasn’t comfortable with at first. I made many connections with not just the faculty but with all the other amazing dancers in the room. 

Making connections is so important in this business.   What did the experience teach you about yourself as a dancer/competitor?

The whole experience taught me that I actually love to compete! Taking the year off of competing at Break the Floor was relaxing and gave me the chance to focus on myself in class and my technique, but I did realize that I love to compete and I missed the excitement of it! As a dancer, assisting taught me that I have to excel in all genres not just my favorites. And this year, I had fun in all genres!

You're passing on your title soon, how does that feel?

I am very sad to pass down my title. Being Junior Best Dancer has taught me so much and has given me and experience of a lifetime! However, i am excited to see who the new Junior Best Dancer Winners are and how they will do on their tour! I am excited to start competing again in the teen division and really challenge myself this year. There will alway be apart of me who is Junior Best Dancer!

That’s a great and positive way to look at it.  Do you have any advice to aspiring dancers?

Don’t give up, work hard, and don’t be too hard on yourself! Dance is hard mentally and physically. Push yourself to get better but not past your limit. I’ve been there, when you are so hard on yourself you start to loose confidence, don’t bring yourself down! Celebrate the small victories. It helps with your confidence and your work ethic. 

So what are you focusing on next?

I want to show the dance world I am capable of showing different sides of me. For Radix Nationals, I brought a new side of me with my new solo “Pause, Goodbye” by Kirsten Russell. It was so challenging and I really think I showed everyone I can do other things besides pretty contemporary. And this year I hope to further that! 

7. What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your dance career? 

My hope for the future is to be dancing professionally and working towards a career that Aligns with dance but also translates into an ongoing career in the arts. I want dance to always be apart of my life, in some way. 

We wish you all the very best and look forward to follow you in your dance career and wherever life may take you, Kiarra.  We are proud that you represent Jo+Jax with class and esteem.

Follow her on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_kiarrawaidelich/?hl=en