When you sit down with Kira Williams, one thing becomes clear almost immediately. She’s calm, focused, and grounded in a way that feels rare for someone just 16 years old. But then again, Kira isn’t living a typical teenage life. She’s in the studio by 9 a.m. most days, training for hours, balancing schoolwork late into the night, and chasing a dream that began when she was just four years old.
“I fell in love with ballet really young,” she tells me. “My grandma wanted me to do something active, and I had to choose between ballet and gymnastics. I chose ballet… and I immediately loved how expressive and challenging it was.” What started as a childhood activity quickly became something much bigger. “Over time, I realized it wasn’t just a hobby. It was something I wanted to dedicate my life to.”
Kira’s journey into ballet wasn’t instant or effortless. It was built slowly through consistency, discipline, and a quiet kind of determination. She began with basic classes once a week, gradually adding more training and expanding into different styles. “I kept building from there… more training, more styles,” she explains. That evolution shaped not only her technique, but her artistry, pushing her to become a dancer who can do more than execute movement. She can tell a story.
Now, her days are structured around dance in a way that feels closer to a professional athlete than a student. She wakes up before 7 a.m. to stretch and prepare, easing into a routine that demands both physical and mental focus. By 9 a.m., she’s already in technique class. Pointe follows, then rehearsals or additional classes like pas de deux, modern, or contemporary. After hours in the studio, she transitions into schoolwork, often studying late into the evening. “I’ll have ballet from 9 to 4,” she says. “And then after that, I have school… basically until I go to bed.”
It’s intense, and she knows it. “Balancing school, training, and auditions is definitely one of the biggest challenges,” she admits. “Some days are really tough physically and mentally.” Still, she keeps going, anchored by something deeper than routine. “My love for dance, my goals for the future, and my family… especially my grandma. She’s the one who got me started.”
There are moments, she says, when everything clicks. When the long days and constant pressure begin to feel worth it. “Sometimes it’s when I’m performing and I see how much I’ve grown… those are the moments where I feel like I really belong.” In a world like ballet, where perfection is expected and belonging is not always guaranteed, that feeling matters.
For Kira, identity and artistry are deeply connected. “Being a Black ballerina today means showing up for myself and others,” she says. “Breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation.” Growing up, she didn’t always see dancers who looked like her, but discovering Misty Copeland changed that. “She inspired me so much. I didn’t see a lot of people who looked like me, so it motivated me to keep going… and to inspire others too.”
By the time she was 10, Kira had already reached one of ballet’s defining milestones: dancing en pointe. “I remember being really excited,” she says. “It was a really fun experience.” Six years later, she understands the reality behind the beauty. “It hurts. You get used to it… but sometimes you still feel it.” It’s a reminder that ballet is as demanding as it is graceful, built on repetition, resilience, and showing up even when your body is tired.
Performance is where everything comes together. Right before stepping on stage, Kira describes a feeling that blends nerves with clarity. “It’s a mix of excitement and focus. I try to stay present and connect with the story I’m telling.” One of her favorite roles so far was the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, a performance that marked a turning point in her confidence. “That was a big moment for me,” she says. “It really helped me believe in myself more.”
And like any true performer, she doesn’t just dance the role. She becomes it. “Right before I go on stage, I try to really see myself as the character so I can fully be in that moment.”
Kira’s journey has already taken her beyond her home studio. At just 14, she trained in London with the Royal Ballet, an experience that expanded her perspective and gave her a glimpse into the global world of dance. “It was amazing,” she says. “I’m going back again this summer.” Even across the world, the work remains the same, but the exposure opens new doors and possibilities.
When asked what advice she would give to young dancers watching her journey, her answer is simple but powerful. “Believe in yourself. Stay consistent. And don’t let the lack of representation discourage you. Your presence matters.” It’s the kind of advice that feels lived-in, not just said.
Before we wrap, I ask her one final question. What does it mean to be a Neon Gurl?
She pauses for a moment, then answers with quiet confidence. “Being a Neon Gurl means being bold, authentic, and confident. It’s about sharing your story, celebrating yourself, and inspiring others to do the same.” Then she adds, almost like a final thought, “It’s about owning who you are and shining through your light.”
At 16, Kira Williams is already doing exactly that.
