Katie Drablos has spent 16 years as knowledgeable dancer, choreographer, and artist in New York Metropolis. Her profession is filled with outstanding achievements, however past that, Drablos is a profoundly impactful instructor. Identified for her heat, generosity, and uncommon skill to make dancers really feel seen, she creates secure, joyful areas the place they’ll flourish freely.
Initially from Dallas, Texas, Drablos found her love of instructing at a younger age. After graduating from Southern Methodist College, she auditioned for the Rockettes on a whim, booked the job, and moved to New York at 22. Since then, she has carried out in quite a few productions, collaborated with choreographers, together with Andy Blankenbuehler, and taught at studios world wide, along with main common courses at Steps on Broadway.
Dance Trainer chatted with Drablos to listen to extra about her life and the teachings she’s discovered all through her dance journey.
On Educating
“I feel I used to be born with a deep love for shifting and guiding others to maneuver, be free, and categorical themselves. It’s a present—I imply, that’s a cliché phrase—however it’s a present to be in somebody’s life and pull that deep goodness out of them. To look into somebody’s eyes and be with them as they notice their potential for greatness, and see them go away the studio with their chins slightly larger.”
On Profession Trajectory
“Freelancing is a steady wrestle, however it’s a must to belief that extra work will come and that your creative voice is sufficient. You may let some issues go, and one other door will open that may problem you extra. Residing in New York from age 22 to now, 38, I can see how one factor led to a different.
“Some jobs exterior the trade offer you freedom to create work that gained’t make a ton of cash however will fulfill deep creative passions. If that’s the place your profession goes for some time, it’s nonetheless simply as profitable as one thing fancy on paper.
“My proudest achievements aren’t on the high of my resumé. They’ll’t all the time be put into phrases. That’s why I really like instructing—these moments in shared communion, shifting collectively, watching individuals expertise freedom. If I can domesticate a room the place that occurs and launch struggling for a second, that issues extra to me.”
On Preventing Most cancers
“I went by way of most cancers in 2021, and it modified every little thing. One factor I’ve taken from it’s training extra boldness in asking for issues and doing issues, as a result of we don’t know what’s coming.
“On April 1, 2021—my thirty fourth birthday—I used to be every week out of most cancers surgical procedure and discovered it was stage 4. That day, I stated to my mother, ‘Subsequent 12 months, after I’m alive, I’m going to throw an enormous occasion and blow it out wedding-style.’
“However in winter 2022, after I completed remedies and was getting again to instructing, I spotted I didn’t desire a occasion. I advised my mother, ‘I wish to placed on a present on my birthday referred to as 35: a celebration of being alive. I had all the time needed to create my very own present however was too scared. With stage 4 tongue most cancers, [I realized] the time was now. I broadened myself to work with different artists in New York and discovered a lot by way of these collaborations.
“On April 2, 2022, my mentee died. She was 24 and in addition a dancer. After that, I believed so much about what it means to be a survivor. There’s pleasure in it, and that’s vital, however it’s additionally extremely random. My mentee tried simply as onerous to beat most cancers. I’m not alive as a result of I fought tougher or was higher at combating most cancers. I went by way of darkish occasions in solitude occupied with it.
“Dance was drugs (it’s how I’ve stayed sane the final 4 and a half years), a solution to nonverbally categorical deep feelings. I placed on two extra reveals, in 2023 and 2024, every completely different and reflecting the place I used to be in that second. Creating these reveals have been the most effective days of my life—and but they occurred due to most cancers. It’s nonetheless a profound factor to swallow. I don’t know that I’ll ever absolutely swallow it, as a result of I wouldn’t want most cancers on anybody. However the pleasure I felt these days was heightened by the sorrow I felt at different occasions. Ultimately, I gained freedom.”
On Educating to Stay Music
“There’s nothing higher than dancing to dwell music. My buddy, Miriam Ali, first sang Landslide in school as a result of I had a combo to it. From there, we did about 10 completely different songs collectively, and it saved increasing to different artists. Now it feels just like the sky’s the restrict. I’m very open to asking: What’s the worst that may occur if somebody says no?
“My recommendation is similar: Ask. Don’t be afraid of no. If one particular person says no, there are a lot of extra who will say sure. I’ve fallen in love with dwell music, being in rooms with these amazingly proficient individuals and watching them make artwork. I’m in awe. I stand there and may’t consider that is my life. It feels good bringing individuals collectively.”
Editor’s observe: This text has been up to date to appropriate the date of Drablos’ mentee’s demise and the years she placed on her reveals.
