Dance Student Spotlight: McKenna Markham

My name is McKenna Markham and I am 12 years old. I dance at The Company Project in Pantego, TX.

@Mckennamarkham

Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.

I started off as a 4-year-old dancer who barely knew how to do a single. When I was 6 years old, I went to Fusion Dance Company to dance with Joe berry (aka JB). JB has taught me so much in my dance career, and I am now up to about 8 turns. I wouldn't be where I am without him and my mom. My mom has been there from the beginning supporting me no matter what. I love dancing so much, and I never wanna stop. I hope to get much better in the future, but I know right now I have gained so much in the last 6 years.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?

Things have not been as easy, but my mom really just gives me everything I need to dance. So far, the hard things I go through are injuries. With injuries, there is nothing you can really do about it, and for some reason, I get hurt a lot. When you are injured, you can't dance full out. So some of the stuff I learned how to do is gone. My knees and feet were also really hard to get them where they are now. My knees were always so bumpy even when I was stretched behind my knee, I looked like I wasn't. I had the same problem with my feet. But after lots of work, they are where they are now.

What personal limitations if any did you go through in your young career?

I have never really had any personal limitations. My mom provides me with everything I need to dance from solo lessons, costumes, dance clothes, and more. I am so thankful she does all this stuff for me.

Has anybody ever tried to limit you on what you could do? If so how did you fight it?

A lot of people say that I can't do these things because I am a girl and not a boy. I feel like you can do anything you put your mind to. That's what my mom has told me, and I feel like it really makes me try harder. When I get told that I can't do that because it's a boy's move, it makes me feel bad about myself for a little, but then I realize that they don't control my life and I can do whatever I put my mind to.

How do you conquer negative talk?

Usually, I walk away and pretend like it didn't happen because I don't really like drama. So I try not to get into it as much, but when something starts or like when they are like " you can't even turn right" I try to ignore them.

What is your favorite quote?

My favorite quote is what my mom says.
"You can do anything you set your mind to." - Benjamin Franklin
That quote just really makes me wanna try harder. And if you work for it, you will get it.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?

I don't really have that many big plans right now except to just get better right now. But in the future, I have some things I wanna accomplish. When I get older, I wanna be a professional dancer and also own my own dance studio. That has been my dream since I don't even remember like forever, and it is still my dream. I feel like if I get to that state, I can know that all my hard work has paid off.