When most individuals take into consideration Irish dancing, some traditional pictures could come to thoughts: vigorous tunes, white dancers, clacking toes and maybe a contact of Celtic allure.
But one viral dancer is creating one thing fully distinctive.
When Kaitlyn Sardin was 3 years outdated, she began taking formal classes in ballet and different kinds. At 26, she now blends Irish dance with genre-bending music and strikes.
“I’ve been an Irish dancer for 20 years, and now I mix Irish dance with hip hop, dancehall and whatever I can figure out,” she mentioned. “My style of dance is very chaotic, but overall it’s fusion,” she explains. “I love mixing all of my cultures together, so I feel like it’s a big part of me whenever I dance.”
Sardin’s fascinating viral performances are set to music from artists akin to Beyonce, Kehlani, Kali Uchis, Cardi B. and Missy Elliott. Her Instagram reels and TikToks have caught the eye of thousands and thousands on social media, together with some notable celebrities.
“Beyoncé’s mom, Tina Knowles, recently posted me, I’ve had Azealia Banks, Tinashe, Tyla and just so many more,” Sardin mentioned in an interview, “It’s been incredible because I listen to their music every day, so knowing that they’ve seen it and have actually interacted with it, it’s been so special for me.”
Despite the net fame, Sardin mentioned she didn’t have the smoothest path to success.
Growing up in Orlando, Florida, she mentioned she felt imposter syndrome and isolation due to the dearth of variety in Irish dancing.
“When I was a child, there weren’t many Black dancers besides the ones that I would see at competitions,” she mentioned.
“So the fact that people can see somebody with braids, see somebody that’s Black doing this and being like, ‘Yeah, I can do that too,’ I feel amazing.”
Despite encountering skepticism and hate from individuals on-line who query the authenticity of her fusion type and her abilities, Sardin mentioned, centering her supportive household and associates have helped her keep centered.
“A lot of people have been like, ‘Oh, that’s not Irish dancing. You’re not Irish, you’ll never be Irish.’ And I’m just like, I never said I was Irish,” she mentioned.
“It’s absolutely Irish dancing. I just added a twist to it.”
Sardin mentioned illustration in dance is crucial.
“There’s this whole art that a lot of people think they can’t do,” she mentioned. “And I think it’s very important to show that no matter your skin color, you’re able to do what you want and you could learn all of these other styles.”
Sardin mentioned she hopes to encourage extra individuals to pursue their passions, no matter societal expectations.
“I hope that more people try more styles and try what they love,” she mentioned. “Because a big part of me, I was holding myself back because I was like, ‘Oh, people don’t really do this,’ but you can. There’s no limit.”
Sardin, who has a busy summer season forward, together with appearances on the Nantucket Dance Festival and Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch Live, isn’t simply redefining Irish dance; she’s additionally inspiring a complete new era of dancers to discover their very own distinctive groove.For extra from NBC BLK, sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Victoria Bell contributed.
