Video and Q & A with a Conservatory student who’d rather dance than talk

Get to know our students, and you’ll know what UMKC is all about

Alexandria Brant, ’18
Program: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, minor in Business
School: Conservatory of Music and Dance
Hometown: Topeka, Kansas

>Learn about her dance partnership at the Conservatory

Why did you choose UMKC?

They have the best dance program in the area and I love the arts culture in Kansas City. It’s provided lots of opportunities.

Why did you choose your field of study?

My love and passion for dance is too strong to not pursue it. My lifelong goal is to dance, and I want to dance for as long as I can. There’s something about connecting your movement to music that makes me feel most like myself.

What are the challenges of the dance program at UMKC?

There are a lot of physical, mental and emotional challenges. Every day is a battle. Sometimes you don’t want to dance because your body is in pain, sometimes you struggle to remember all of the choreography and corrections and sometimes the atmosphere of the art form isn’t the easiest to be in, so you have to take a break.

What are the benefits?

You get to do what you love! I would rather communicate with dance than talk, so I consider myself very lucky to be able to pursue what I love every day.

How has your college program inspired you?

I love getting to work with so many different dancers and artists. Seeing each person’s own unique style come together creates inspiration to continue pursuing our art form.

Since entering college, what have you learned about yourself?

My strength: physically, mentally and emotionally. I’ve also learned that it’s OK if your plans don’t work out, because everything happens for a reason. It’s cliché, but it’s so true.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received from a professor?

That there is no better time than now. It has really given me a new perspective on how to reach my dreams. It’s OK if I don’t reach my end goal today or tomorrow, but I have to at least start trying right now.

Who do you admire most at UMKC?

Paula Weber, the Chair of Dance, and one of our ballet professors. I have worked with her the most while being here. Not only is she an amazing teacher, she is an even better mentor. Paula truly wants the best for each of her students. She’s there to listen to you, encourage you and push you to be a better dancer. She would do anything to help her students.

What’s your greatest fear?

I really want to say failure, but I know that’s unrealistic. So instead I’ll say missing out on opportunities that I am given.

What is one word that best describes you?

Positive. I always try to encourage others. You can’t always control what happens, so you might as well make the best of it. It would be miserable if you didn’t.

From across the country and around the world, our students come together in Kansas City to study business, medicine, theatre and more than 100 other academic areas. Roos become leaders in their fields and give back to their communities.

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