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Kayla Reid

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Bio

Born and raised in Boston MA, Kayla Dame (formerly known as Kayla Reid), has been twirling into the hearts of everyone as she takes the stage and commands attention from the audience. At age 3, she began dancing at Origination Cultural Arts Center and Tony Williams Dance Center. While at the studios she was involved in dance at her church, schools, and other dance programs. She is competitively trained in numerous styles of dance including African, jazz, tap, liturgical, lyrical, contemporary, modern, hip hop, afro beats, Irish, Salsa, Aerial silks, KRUMP, Chicago footwork, musical theater, Step and POM routine. At the age of 16, she began to explore acting after receiving the opportunity not only to perform but be a student dance caption for her high school production of Beauty and the Beast. Dame then wanted to combine both mediums to create longevity in her profession of entertainment.

Education

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Bachelor's degree program
2020 - 2023
  • Majors:
    • Dance

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Performing Arts

    • Dream career goals:

      Professional dancer and choreographer

    • Tour Guide

      Bridgewater State University
      2019 – 2019
    • Resident Security and Area Supervisor

      UMass Amherst
      2022 – Present3 years
    • Stagehand

      UMass Amherst
      2022 – Present3 years
    • Sales Associate and Pre Managerial Experience

      Old Navy
      2020 – 20222 years
    • Assistant Lifeguard Director

      Camp Harbor View
      2021 – 20221 year
    • Lifeguard

      Camp Harbor View
      2018 – 20191 year
    • Lifeguard

      LINXS Camps
      2017 – 2017

    Sports

    Dancing

    Varsity
    2016 – 20171 year

    Swimming

    Club
    2012 – 20153 years

    Arts

    • Alive with Dance through UMass Amherst

      Dance
      2022 – 2022
    • Urban Nutcracker

      Dance
      Urban Nutcracker
      2012 – 2016
    • Wellesley High School

      Theatre
      Beauty and the Beast, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barbor of Fleet Street, What's Faire is Fair
      2016 – 2017
    • Concert Choir

      Music
      Winter and Spring Concerts
      2014 – 2018

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Back2Back Ministries — Volunteering at a Children's Home in Mexico
      2018 – 2018

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Sloane Stephens Doc & Glo Scholarship
    I value my determination and work efficiency. I am someone who never gives up on myself and is my own hard self-critic. Sometimes it can be a blessing and a curse but I do not see this as a negative. In my own reflection, I see being tough on yourself shows your love and passion towards any affirmations and objectives you want to see major success in life. I am proud of being my own critic first and being hard on myself because I know that I can apply myself more to whatever is thrown at me in life. I am a believer in always completing a task no matter how many times it takes to achieve either the right answer or to perform a task in a certain way. I find it important to do it over and over again until I get it right because I want to understand and work on the mistakes I have made so I can think about them. It helps my brain to be more attentive and aware of what I am doing rather than rushing through. And for me, to always apply and give 110% every time I enter the space. In my life journey, I believe my work effect will have me go far in life. I have a career in the entertainment industry that allows me to never give up. I have confidence and perseverance that I am going to make it as a successful performer in the industry as a dancer and actor. Dance has been a part of my life since I was three years old and now I am in my senior year completing a BFA in dance. One that a huge amount of people never thought you can pursue in college, let alone make a career out of it. And with dance, came acting through verbal and nonverbal communication and storytelling. I can proudly say, that I have started to build a career that leaves people speechless through what I have been able to achieve thus far through dance and have been proving doubters wrong with my talents. I know that I will experience a lot of no’s but that means I will become one step closer to a yes. But that is a part of life and in any career that you want. The entertainment industry is cutthroat based on what they're looking for, but a lot of the time if you fit the part they would change the role for you, and just by putting yourself out there, you open another door to being seen and given an opportunity by other people. And opportunities like that do not come by not doing and improving.