LEGACY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
THE KJ DANCE LEGACY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
KJ Dance intentionally designed this program to support the bonds and friendships made among fellow KJ Alum while providing the opportunity to be a part of something GRAND! Active members have opened doors to support their KJ family through philanthropy and community. The KJ LEGACY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION represents former students, from the last 3 decades, who trained under the direction of KJ’s founder and director, Kristy Blakeslee and the KJ faculty.
As KJ Dance continues to grow and evolve, the desire to link our alumni dancers together for a common purpose has become an exciting reality. Over 120 KJ alumni graduates from 1981-2020 have joined this elite group and are excited to support the mission and purpose of the association.
The mission of the LEGACY alumni association is to grow as a KJ Family and bridge the generations of KJ dancers together! This association will cultivate growth as we continue to build #thekjway legacy among the past, present, and future dancers of KJ! We are so proud of each of our alumni, and are honored to call each one of them one of our own. We look forward to many years of expansion and joy with our members.
❤️ HEARTS ALL IN ❤️
A one of a kind fundraising event benefiting Katie Drablos's fight against cancer. All proceeds will be donated to assist with Katie's recovery process. The workshop is designed to help elevate the audition experience and success of our young dancers with guidance and training from top dance Industry professionals.
T-Shirts and tank tops from the event are still available for purchase. If you would like to purchase a shirt in support of Katie,click the link below to place your order. Shirts can be shipped to you if you do not live in the DFW area.
BUY NOW! EVENT T-SHIRTS & TANKS
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE AMAZING FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND DANCE COMMUNITY COLLEAGUES WHO SUPPORTED THE EVENT AS SPONSORS & DONORS
NYCDA
Steps on Broadway
John Cartin
Kelsey Acosta, Willow Bend Mortgage
KJ Dance
Cindy's School of Dance
Kitty Carters Dance Factory
Footworks PAC
Surjit and Courtney Rai
Annie Blakeslee
Weibring Family Foundation
The Lowe Family
The Wayland Family
The Benn Family
Haley Smith
Jene Mullenger
Allie Hopkins
Debbie and Devon Travis
The Bush Family
Artistic Dance Designs
The Mackintosh Family
The O'Leary Family
Christian Bergin
Audrey Spurlock
The Gontarek Family
Megan O'leary
Hope & Taylor Wenzel
Family Toyota
Dupree Dance Conventions
The Goodman Family
Nicole Lavery
Leah Brandon
The Devore Family
Lexi and Wade Bennett
The Choucair Family
The Zamansky Family
Encore Expo
Velocity Dance Conventions
Leo and June Sensory Play
The Liepens Family
The Trammell Family
The Philpot Family
The Patton Family
The Moore Family
The Nelson Family
The Neri Family
The Santora Family
The Palacios Family
The Dunker Family
The Quisling Family
The Mackintosh Family
NUVO Dance Convention - Break The Floor Productions
Adrenaline Dance Convention
Revive Dance Convention
BUILD Dance Series
The McWilliams Family
The Eburflus Family
The Castora Family
The Donovan Family
The Mellon Family
Corley & Audrea Cowan
Michele Assaf
Jenn and Kingston Karsner
Soul Escape
Industry Experience
LUX Dance Convention
Brian Stevens
LA Dance Magic
Exactitude Workshops
Heather Stolle
Jordan Wright Henz
Elizabeth Deville
The Hamilton Family
Jakob Karr
The Santora Family
The Bush Family
"KJ Dance is a North Dallas staple of creativity, community and excellence that has been around for decades!"
- Lisa Gerving, KJ Legacy Alumni & PCA Music Teacher
"KJ Dance was a life changer for me. Started dancing pretty late in the game, but Kristy Blakeslee made me fall in love with performing. She gives so much to her students and faculty. It's a no brainer that KJ Dance is a force to be reckoned with. It has incredible teachers from all genres of dance. Teachers that, authentically, love to teach and give back to their students. Here I am almost 20 years later still performing and still teaching. Every time I go back to the studio I learn something new. Kristy has created an safe environment of constant growth and exploration. If you live in Texas you should be going to KJ Dance."
- John Patrick Cartin, KJ Legacy Alumni & Performer/Master Teacher, 45 Degrees - a Cirque du Soleil Company
"I grew up dancing at KJ Dance, and the staff and lifelong friends made are like family. Not only do I have some of the fondest memories from my experiences there, but it taught me discipline and confidence that have carried with me today. Kristy is an amazing role model for all her students and her passion for what she does is inspiring!"
- Courtney Rai, KJ Legacy Alumni & Event Designer
"KJ Dance moves beyond a dance studio and develops dancers to show strong character, competence, and compassion in every aspect of life. Staff members at KJ provide dancers and families with the tools needed for success outside of the dance class by teaching dancers critical skills in the area of social skills, team building/ team work, collaboration, time management, public speaking/performing, personal development, professional development and opportunities to engage with national master teachers, and exposure to a variety of genres of performance arts. As someone who grew up at KJ, the values and lessons that the KJ staff instilled in me have been invaluable and applicable to all areas of my life, both personally and professionally."
- Sarah Gorsky, KJ Legacy Alumni & Elementary Special Education Teacher
“KJ was a great experience for me because it helped me to establish my confidence growing up. Even though dance didn't work out for me on a professional level, I feel that I learned so much at this studio - discipline, grace, and determination- these things carried me through drill team in high school, and even juggling sorority life/nursing school in college!”
- Courtney Kercher, KJ Legacy Alumni & Neonatal ICU Nurse
“Lifelong skills learned at this school and lifelong friendships built with the other dancers. The girls I trained with here are the closest friends I have going into my 30's and we aren't stopping now!”
-Amanda Lenox, KJ Legacy Alumni & Psychotherapist and Dance Faculty, WestChester Dance Academy
"Some of my favorite childhood memories are from dancing at Tap N Toe. I met my best friend in Kristy's company there when I was in the 4th grade. She is still my best friend today. Kristy & her staff teach so much more than dance. They are so loving & supportive of all of their dancers & families. I always recommend KJ to friends looking for a place for their kids to dance."
-Shay Geyer, KJ Legacy Alumni & Owner/Interior Designer IBB Design
"KJ is the #1 place for a diverse, educational and fun dance education in the DFW area! I have taught at studios all around the US and KJ Dance Designs has it all! I am honored to be from such an amazing studio!"
-Katie Drablos, KJ Legacy Alumni & Dance instructor, performer, choreographer, Bar instructor, Hedge Fund Employee
"KJ is where I learned to become a strong confident caring passionate and independent woman. I owe my love of dance community and people to the 10 amazing years growing up at KJ!"
-Brenna Adkison, KJ Legacy Alumni & professional dancer in NYC
"Dancing at KJ was one of the best decisions I've made. The faculty and lifelong friends shaped me into the person and dancer I am today, and I am forever grateful for the opportunities for growth that KJ provided me."
-Hana Alford, KJ Legacy Alumni & current SMU student
"Dancing at KJ is among the fondest memories in my life! The friendships I made during my time there are timeless! Kristy & all of the teachers at KJ are some of the kindest and most nurturing people you will ever meet! They are blessings to anyone fortunate enough to have them in their lives!"
-Natalie Loftin Bell, KJ Legacy Alumni & Founder & Performer in Ladies Liberty Show Troupe, LLC., Zumba teacher and Mommy of 2.
"KJ is the reason for where I am today!"
-Meredith Madden, KJ Legacy Alumni & Magic Assistant and Showgirl
"KJ helped to shape me into the Dancer that I am today. I'm so grateful for the lifelong friendships and memories that I made with my time at Kj!"
-Tessa Brennan, KJ Legacy Alumni & Dance Teacher, Gateway Church staff member, Kendra Scott Employee, and Dallas Ice Girl
"Best organization EVER!!"
-Michelle Tewell, KJ Legacy Alumni & Dental Assistant
