Each year, we feature 5 young ballerinas who are on the road to creative success. Due to their growth, hard work, and accomplishments, we’ve kept these girls on our radar, and will continue to look after them as they blossom in their dance careers!

McKenna Armwood, a 16-year-old ballerina based in Pearland, Texas, started dancing when she was 13 years old. For her first performance, McKenna performed the Aurora variation from The Sleeping Beauty during a national competition. This was also McKenna’s very first solo, and it just so happened to take place on her birthday! Today, McKenna studies ballet and contemporary dance at Coomer Ballet Conservatory. She’s also taking pas de deux lessons, where ballerinas dance in pairs - often with one male and one female dancer.

Continue reading our interview with McKenna below to learn why we named her one of Brown Girls Do Ballet’s 5 to Watch for 2021!

What’s a dance accomplishment that you are proud of and why?

I would have to say being accepted to three prestigious ballet programs after training seriously for a short amount of time. It shows me that even though I have a long way to go, I have made great progress and it is being noticed. That gives me an extra push.

What’s your most memorable dance moment?

The most memorable moment is when I took my first ballet class. Before I started ballet, I was a hip-hop lover. It was when I just made the competition team at Xtreme Level Dance and it was time to choose classes. My Mom told me I had to take ballet if I made the team. When I took my first class (shout out to Mr. Dwayne) I didn't want to leave. I was so excited to see what I was going to learn next! I loved everything about it - the movement, the music. The more classes I took, the more I fell in love with it.

What inspires you?

One day, my mom told me, "Practice doesn't make perfect, it makes progress.” She believes in me and says if I work hard every single day and make good decisions, I will be the best I can be. I try to use that quote. I work to be better than I was the day before and it works.

What’s your favorite part about being a dancer or the dance industry in general?

I think my favorite part is being able to inspire other dancers. To know other little Brown girls look up to me the same way I look up to people like Calvin Royal, Daphne Lee, Ashley Mayeux, Fana Tesfagiorgis, and so many others... It drives me. I really appreciate the way they support me and my desire to grow and be better. They want me to succeed and I want to do the same for other dancers.

If you could change the future of dance, what changes would you make?

I think things are off to a good start now but I know so much more could be done. I would really like to see it be available for all that are interested. When I think of dancers of color, we are not excluded, but more can be done to make sure that we are included. Make sure brands actually have flesh tone for other flesh tones and not just the pink tone. It needs to be seen in the shoes, tights, and costume lining. Leotards that have fuller coverage. I would also like to see more teachers of color on the professional level. I think that's important for Brown dancers that desire to go pro to see themselves on the highest levels.

Photo: Dwayne Cook

A typical day in McKenna’s life as a dancer begins with dance training. She’ll typically spend about 1.5 hours doing barre techniques, stretching, strength training, then working on any areas she’s struggling in. Once she finishes all of her homeschool work for the day, McKenna spends about 3-4 hours dancing at Coomer Ballet Conservatory.

This summer, McKenna is preparing for Coomer’s annual recital before starting her Summer Intensives with the American Ballet Theatre and Dance Theatre of Harlem. In the meantime, McKenna plans to audition for Houston's Urban Nutcracker. You can follow McKenna’s dance journey here!