Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Bradshaw-Yerby.
Alexandra, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada but have now lived in the US for more than half my life.
I’ve also spent my whole life dancing. First, as a child at a local dance studio. Later, as a dance major at the University of California, Irvine. Then as a touring professional dancer for nearly two decades. Later still, through graduate study at the University of Washington. And now, as a college professor.
Over the course of my career, dance has taken me across the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. These days, most of my time is spent locally here in Cedar City, UT. On the precipice of my 40s, I am grateful that dance is still so prominent in my professional and personal life. A few nights ago, I was working in the theatre in preparation for an upcoming dance concert. My nine-month-old daughter was with me–she was spellbound by the dancers and lights as she crawled all over the stage. At that moment, it felt like my life had come full circle.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In my experience, a career in the performing arts is inherently challenging for numerous reasons: Job opportunities are competitive and scarce at best; injury is par for the course; touring often keeps you away from your family for long periods of time; artists often must supplement off-season/off-contract periods with additional employment, often odd jobs outside of their field.
All of that said, this has been an incredibly rewarding journey. The best parts of it are the rush of live performance; the opportunity to travel widely and to meet so many people; and, now as a teacher, the joy of sharing dance with the next generation of young artists.
My life in the performing arts has been an adventure, to say the least. I would not trade it for anything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am currently an Assistant Professor of Dance at Southern Utah University and the Director of Dance Education. In this role, I help to prepare future dance professionals for the performance and choreography field, as well as licensed dance educators for the K-12 sector.
I am known by my students for my early morning enthusiasm (who doesn’t yearn to feel the joy of dance at 8 am?), as well as for my love of fascia and all things related to somatics and dance science. In the performance arena, I am known for collaborating with my partner in life and art, guitarist Dr. Jon Paul Yerby.
As a former member of Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company (based in Salt Lake City, UT), I am also remembered as the performer who once walked right off the edge of the stage into the orchestra pit. Currently, I am most proud of the fact that I am balancing a double life as a full-time educator and mother. I recently became a published author in the field of dance education research.
And I am still performing! You can find me March 31 – April 2, 2022, at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in Salt Lake City. The concert is entitled “Superwomen,” an evening of contemporary dance presented by Rachel Barker and guests. I will be performing an original solo on the program.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
For me, childhood smells of freshly cut grass and crisp mountain air. I have many fond childhood memories of hiking and camping in the lush nature of Southern Alberta. Having never been much of an urban human, I relish quick access to the outdoors.
Living here in Cedar City, surrounded by pinion pines, red rock, and snowcapped mountains, is a daily gift.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alexandrajanebradshaw.com
- Instagram: @uberjaneb
Image Credits
Warren Woo, Dallas Graham, and Mckenzie Staheli
