THUNDERCHILD FIRST NATION BALLERINA Kia Jimmy is a member of the Canadian Thunderchild First Nation which is of the Plains Cree Tribe and is equally proud of her Japanese heritage. Following graduation from Alberta Ballet in 2019, Kia joined US International Ballet as a trainee for two seasons. She Photo: Bill Naiman (2021) Dancer: Kia Jimmy
joined Verb Ballets as an apprentice in July. Kia's position is funded in part by the Verb Ballets Fund for Artists of Color. Where did you grow up? I was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a small city in one of the Prairie Provinces of Canada. How does your heritage inform your work as an artist? Dance is an important part of who I am. As a Canadian artist/dancer, my heritage is also a part of who I am. My dad is American Indian and my mom is Japanese, and both cultures have dance and performing arts in their traditional heritage. I
What drove you to audition Verb Ballets?
believe this is where my love for performing arts
I was encouraged by a friend to audition. When I further
originates as it is deeply rooted in who I am. I
researched the company, I felt Verb Ballets would be a good
represent the unique merging of both cultures.
fit for me. My training at Alberta Ballet School was predominantly classical but also included contemporary. Verb
How would you describe your relationship with dance?
Ballets combines both. I was drawn to Verb because it values
Growing up I was always the “quiet” one. Dance
diversity, which is extremely important to me.
was a way to express myself without words. Dancing helped me gain my confidence.
How has your family supported your career? I’m very fortunate because my parents have always been
Why did you choose to go into a professional ballet
extremely supportive of my goals and aspirations. From
career?
driving me to and from dance every night, to helping me move
I started dancing when I was very young. When I
provinces and eventually countries, they have done it all and
was not at school, I was at the dance studio. It
I’m extremely grateful.
became a dream of mine to become a professional dancer. I chose ballet when I was asked to train
What is an interesting fact about you?
with Alberta Ballet School.
My given name. Kia Takara Jimmy. Kia is the Cree word for “your” and Takara, means “treasure” in Japanese.
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verbiculture | October 2021
