Kylen Anderson

I started my dancing career at 3-years-old at Stairway to the Stars!  Over the years I took ballet, tap, jazz, clog, tumbling, and pointe classes.  At a young age I began competing in competitions where I truly found my love for dance. Competing in competitions taught me how to work hard for what I wanted and how rewarding it can be. I also competed at Bill Riley Talent Show’s in the summertime that often led to dancing at the Iowa State Fair. Some other dance activities I was involved in were taking extra tumbling classes in Wayland, being a member of my high school dance team for 4 years and a teaching assistant at Stairway to the Stars. My junior year of high school I had to have knee surgery, leaving me out of dance for half of the year. This time away really helped me realize how much dance means to me and that I would do anything to be back. I was so sad to think that my dance career would be over after graduation. So, instead of stopping there, I was a part of my college dance team for 1 year at Iowa Western Community College where I was part of the competition team along with performing at sports events. Shortly after, I began teaching the Highland Dance team.

After graduating high school, I attended Iowa Western Community College for a year of nursing classes and then transferred cosmetology school. I now own Beauty with Grace Salon Studio with my mom here in Washington. Being the owner of a salon, a high school dance team coach, and a dance teacher can be a lot at times, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am so glad to still have dance as a part of my life. It is the most rewarding thing to be able to make a difference in a child’s life. My dance teachers all played a huge role in my life and I hope to do the same for my dancers. 

Being a part of this studio practically my whole life, has led me to make so many memories and friends as well as to learn a lot of life lessons. Stairway to the Stars is like another home to me and I hope each of my students get to have the same experience!