The Belly Dance Chronicles July/August/September 2017 Volume 15, Issue 3 | Page 34

Performing at and supporting as many local events as possible opened even more new doors for Kelly, leading to opportunities to teach at workshops, something she loves because “it challenges the teacher as well as the students,” she said, since workshops are more intensive than regular weekly classes. “I look forward to teaching more and more workshops,” Kelly added. “I don’t think I ever want to stop teaching. Aside from performing, it truly is my passion.” Such a strenuous schedule could really take a toll on a person. But for Kelly, it’s the way to get to the top of her profession and stay there. Her philosophy, she said, is simple: “Persistency will get you there, but consistency will keep you there.” It’s the philosophy she extends to her students, too. “Personally, I am not one to miss a class or rehearsal. It’s very rare,” she said. “I don’t like to be ‘lost.’ The same goes for my students. I’m a stickler for attendance, and if they are absent, then I feel they should do what is necessary to catch up as much as they can before they return to class the following week.” When asked to name who inspires her as a dancer, Kelly said it is difficult to name just one person. “I really do love to watch all types of dancers,” she said. “Everyone interprets music dif