Kylie Kolmer

MEET THE DANCER 

Kylie Kolmer grew up training in Upper Township, NJ, at Dance Dynamics where she had numerous performances and competitive opportunities. During her training she received opportunities to dance with artists such as Theresa Stone, Travis Bertell, Erika Naranjo, Alex Mitchell, and Eli Alfau. As well as opportunities to work alongside Thresa Stone and Julia Giordanio as an intern for her intensive AB Train. Currently, she is continuing her dance education as a Dance Major at Stockton University, with a concentration in Studio Operations. Through her undergraduate, Kolmer has had the privilege to work and studied with artists such as Rain Ross, Caitlin Quinn Pittenger, Chandra Moss-Thorne, and Beau Hancock, as well as Shannon Murphy, Kathryn Vickers, Megan Bridge, and Lauren Putty-White. Through the Dance Program here at Stockton she has also had the opportunity to take classes from professional companies like the Nickerson-Rossi Dance Company and Tiffany Mills Company. Kolmer is also a three year member and two year captain of the Stockton University Dance Team as the Treasure, this team is currently ranked 2x second in the nation for Hip Hop, and first in the NorthEast for both Jazz and Hip Hop. In addition to her training Kolmer also shares her passion with the students of Ocean City High School’s Dance Team, by coming back to help choreograph and assist on the road to their national competition. Kolmer is an alumni of the school and started the team in her senior year of high school before the pandemic.

Photographer: Sharon Freer

MEET THE CHOREOGRAPHER

The 2022 Fall Choreography Project, junior dance major, Kylie Kolmer from Upper Township, New Jersey, had the opportunity to debut herself as a choreographer. Kolmer’s work, Reflect has been adjudicated by Stockton Dance Faculty and was chosen to represent Stockton University at their annual showcase of student choreography. This piece brings to the stage, reflecting back on yourself. How the people who have come and gone, influenced you, and supported you throughout the past have helped mold you into the person you are today. Dancer Shanna Landestory from Clifton, NJ, who is featured, describes working with Kolmer as, “ A fun learning experience! Kylie’s rehearsals consisted of a relaxed and positive environment, as well as a workspace where fun and creativity were encouraged. It was never pressure filled to be perfect and was always a space where ideas were free to be shared and opinions were welcomed and heard. She was always patient when teaching choreography and when applying changes. I was able to learn more about modern dance and choreography as well as what it means to be the expression of someone’s art.”

Photographer: Sharon Freer

MEET THE TEACHER

Teaching Philosophy

As a dance educator, I feel as though it is my priority to create an environment safe for exploring movement allowing students to find themselves as artists while also creating well rounded technique. In technique class when given material and phrase work the importance of finding a way that works best on the body to execute movement ideal for the individual. All students and bodies are built differently and move in their own unique ways, a student being able to recognise and find that special thing about them can unlock a world of confidence and growth in the mind and throughout movement. In addition, adding the factor of proper technique training through hands-on help, imagery, and positive reinforcement to motivate students in the classroom. Building confidence in self identity through movement and training the mind allows students to push their boundaries and create new limits to explore. Throughout the year I would like for the students to have their own personal journal to write in after every class assessing their progress and allowing them to look back at the end to see how much they have grown. I also encourage students that they are always welcome to have one on one chats with me if they would like to discuss how they are feeling in class or have any questions. I believe it is important to lead by example, creating a safe space starts with a positive mind set. By giving positive yet still constructive feedback allows for students not to shut down on themselves but yet strive to improve next time. Overall I am passionate about allowing students to push their boundaries and explore movement while also challenging themselves technologically to maintain well rounded physically. Dancers are athletes, yes, but also artists and if that side of the dancers is not being utilized then the beauty in the art as a whole can get lost. There is something so beautiful about being an artist and every dancer should be able to find that within themselves. 

Photographer: Sharon Freer