Katie Drablos has spent 16 years as knowledgeable dancer, choreographer, and artist in New York Metropolis. Her profession is stuffed with outstanding achievements, however past that, Drablos is a profoundly impactful trainer. Identified for her heat, generosity, and uncommon capacity to make dancers really feel seen, she creates protected, joyful areas the place they’ll flourish freely.
Initially from Dallas, Texas, Drablos found her love of educating at a younger age. After graduating from Southern Methodist College, she auditioned for the Rockettes on a whim, booked the job, and moved to New York at 22. Since then, she has carried out in quite a few productions, collaborated with choreographers, together with Andy Blankenbuehler, and taught at studios world wide, along with main common courses at Steps on Broadway.
Dance Trainer chatted with Drablos to listen to extra about her life and the teachings she’s realized all through her dance journey.
On Educating
“I feel I used to be born with a deep love for shifting and guiding others to maneuver, be free, and specific themselves. It’s a present—I imply, that’s a cliché phrase—however it’s a present to be in somebody’s life and pull that deep goodness out of them. To look into somebody’s eyes and be with them as they notice their potential for greatness, and see them go away the studio with their chins somewhat increased.”
On Profession Trajectory
“Freelancing is a steady battle, however you must belief that extra work will come and that your inventive voice is sufficient. You may let some issues go, and one other door will open which may problem you extra. Dwelling in New York from age 22 to now, 38, I can see how one factor led to a different.
“Some jobs exterior the trade offer you freedom to create work that received’t make a ton of cash however will fulfill deep inventive passions. If that’s the place your profession goes for some time, it’s nonetheless simply as profitable as one thing fancy on paper.
“My proudest achievements aren’t on the high of my resumé. They’ll’t all the time be put into phrases. That’s why I really like educating—these moments in shared communion, shifting collectively, watching folks expertise freedom. If I can domesticate a room the place that occurs and launch struggling for a second, that issues extra to me.”
On Combating Most cancers
“I went by most cancers in 2021, and it modified all the things. One factor I’ve taken from it’s training extra boldness in asking for issues and doing issues, as a result of we don’t know what’s coming.
“On April 1, 2021—my thirty fourth birthday—I used to be per week out of most cancers surgical procedure and came upon it was stage 4. That day, I mentioned to my mother, ‘Subsequent yr, after I’m alive, I’m going to throw a giant celebration and blow it out wedding-style.’
“However in winter 2022, after I completed remedies and was getting again to educating, I noticed I didn’t desire a celebration. I instructed my mother, ‘I need to placed on a present on my birthday referred to as 35: a celebration of being alive. I had all the time needed to create my very own present however was too scared. With stage 4 tongue most cancers, [I realized] the time was now. I broadened myself to work with different artists in New York and realized a lot by these collaborations.
“On April 2, 2022, my mentee died. She was 24 and in addition a dancer. After that, I believed quite a bit about what it means to be a survivor. There’s pleasure in it, and that’s essential, however it’s additionally extremely random. My mentee tried simply as exhausting to beat most cancers. I’m not alive as a result of I fought tougher or was higher at combating most cancers. I went by darkish instances in solitude interested by it.
“Dance was drugs (it’s how I’ve stayed sane the final 4 and a half years), a technique to nonverbally specific deep feelings. I placed on two extra exhibits, in 2023 and 2024, every totally different and reflecting the place I used to be in that second. Creating these exhibits had been the most effective days of my life—and but they occurred due to most cancers. It’s nonetheless a profound factor to swallow. I don’t know that I’ll ever absolutely swallow it, as a result of I wouldn’t want most cancers on anybody. However the pleasure I felt these days was heightened by the sorrow I felt at different instances. Ultimately, I gained freedom.”
On Educating to Stay Music
“There’s nothing higher than dancing to dwell music. My buddy, Miriam Ali, first sang Landslide at school as a result of I had a combo to it. From there, we did about 10 totally different songs collectively, and it stored increasing to different artists. Now it feels just like the sky’s the restrict. I’m very open to asking: What’s the worst that may occur if somebody says no?
“My recommendation is similar: Ask. Don’t be afraid of no. If one individual says no, there are numerous extra who will say sure. I’ve fallen in love with dwell music, being in rooms with these amazingly gifted folks and watching them make artwork. I’m in awe. I stand there and may’t consider that is my life. It feels good bringing folks collectively.”
Editor’s be aware: This text has been up to date to right the date of Drablos’ mentee’s dying and the years she placed on her exhibits.
