PR4P: When did you first know that dance was your destiny? Was it a single epiphany or a gradual realization that became apparent over time?
KG: I became a dancer by accident. As a child I was always artistically inclined. I was in the drama club and played the flute in the school band. My older brother and sister called me the weird child because I was always watching PBS, engrossed in opera or ballet. I had a lot of energy in my classes, so my mother and aunt enrolled me in tap lessons. I was about ten and loved moving. My tap teacher suggested that I take ballet to improve my movement. Soon I was in a small ballet school and the only boy in the class. While I was in Middle School, I attended the TWIGS program at the Baltimore School of the Arts that was offered to inner-city kids. After two years in the TWIGS program, I was accepted into the high school program as freshman. I became totally invested in ballet and when things became challenging, I put in extra time. I don’t like to fail and I cannot imagine anything but giving everything my best, always.
PR4P: In the dance world, who are the people who influenced you, or who mentored you?
KG: On this quest to become an African American male dancer in classical ballet, four people in particular mentored me: Roberto Muñoz, Peter Boal, Francia Russell and Kent Stowell, these are the four people who stand out in my memory and were integral to me becoming a ballet dancer. Roberto Muñoz was my first male ballet teacher at Baltimore School of Arts; he spent countless hours with me to help me to catch-up. I didn’t start in ballet until I was 12. Roberto saw that I was willing to work hard and he spent many hours with me.
When Peter Boal was at the School of American Ballet (SAB), he was one of the few faculty members who believed in my talent and dedication to hard work. He told me I was talented and told me it was possible to achieve my goal. Then later at PNB Peter Boal gave me roles and promoted me to soloist. He also appointed me to be the Next Step program manager.
Peter Boal, Kent Stowell and Francia Russell saw me as being beyond the typical ballet body and as someone who works hard, puts in the time and is a great dancer. Peter Boal, along with Francia Russell and Kent Stowell, believed in me and supported me, and this is how my dream to become a professional dancer came true.
PR4P: Among all of your performances, which are your favorite?
KG: I’ve had many moments on stage, but four performances in particular were my best moments. Twyla Tharp in The Upper Room staged by Stacy Cadell and I was cast as one of the stompers, and for me, it was natural fusion. I had one of the moments on stage where the artistry was just pouring out of me.
In Forgotten Land, I danced with Carrie Imler. She is one of my dance heroes. She works so hard. She has had