Following Your Dreams

Kyle Abraham is a dancer, choreographer, and 2013 MacArthur Fellow. He is also the founder of Abraham.in.Motion. Before starting dance, Kyle was primarily interested in music, something he was surrounded by growing up. His interest in music naturally led to an interest in dance, culminating in the founding of Abraham.in.Motion in 2006. Kyle says being open to new styles and influences is essential to his development and success as a professional dancer. “It’s important to try all dance forms and styles; be open-minded to what different styles have to offer.” Being open-minded also applies to think about who and what you want to be, something Kyle remembers while growing up. “There’s so much power in that period when people are trying to put labels on you or tell you what you can be. You have to actually take a moment to think about what you believe in and what you don’t in relation to what people are trying to put on you. That helps identify the fundamentals of how you see life for many years to come.” Those interested in dance and the arts should take advantage of opportunities to see live performances if they want to explore different styles. As Kyle has noted throughout his career, each local community has a unique style to offer. Though much of Kyle’s work comes from his personal story, he has managed to connect to people of different backgrounds and highlight common experiences and emotions.