Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Berk
Hi Kate, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Richmond, VA, where my passion for dance began through an outreach program at my public elementary school. At nine years old, I discovered the addictively rewarding feeling of setting long-term goals and striving to achieve them. Ballet became my first love and shaped my approach to both obstacles and ambitions.
During my junior and senior years of high school, I danced as a trainee with Richmond Ballet. Because I was the weakest dancer in the room, I learned from every one of the talented women around me. I was then accepted to Butler University on both dance and academic scholarships. While I valued my college experience on many levels (I even met my now husband there!), I knew a dance career was short, so I wanted to start my professional career as early as possible. I worked diligently to graduate in three years so I could dive into the industry ASAP.
At 21, I earned a company dancer contract with Ohio Contemporary Ballet–formerly Verb Ballets. It has been my artistic home ever since. It is bittersweet that this 10th season will be my last.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think any road worth traveling is ever smooth. What fulfillment comes from following an easy, predictable path?
For starters, my body is not naturally built for ballet. With bent legs, tight muscles, and closed hips (features far from the ideal ballet aesthetic), I’ve had to get intimately acquainted with my body to maximize every degree of extension and rotation. At times, I’ve pushed too hard, injuring myself in pursuit of movements that my body wasn’t ready for or didn’t have the range to achieve.
Making peace with my physical limitations has required significant mental training. In an industry that can be relentlessly comparative, I’ve had to learn to separate my self-worth from my physical abilities. Instead of defining myself by what my body can or can’t do, I’ve learned to value who I am as a person. I will always fight to improve, and if I fail in the process, I will never regret trying.
Of course, I’ve had my share of self-doubt, jealousy, and frustration. But over the years, I’ve learned that those feelings don’t serve my goals. While my inner critic hasn’t disappeared entirely, she has become much gentler and far more compassionate.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My day job is working as a professional contemporary ballet dancer, but on nights and weekends, I wear many other hats—dance instructor, nonprofit administrator, and arts in health advocate. While I love the technical challenges of dance, what truly inspires me is its ability to connect people to their bodies and communities. That’s where the real magic happens.
I’m proud of my performing career—I’ve traveled the world, danced on grand stages, and worked with sought-after choreographers—but what means the most to me is how my dancing has inspired others. I love it when I see my students fall in love with ballet or have an “Aha” moment where they experience a heightened understanding of their body. My hope is for everyone to find something greater than themselves that brings purpose and fulfillment. Pushing yourself to the limit, both mentally and physically, is an incredibly enlivening experience, and I believe everyone deserves to feel that kind of connection.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Choosing to pursue a career as a professional artist is a major risk. In a country that often undervalues artists financially, success requires loads of hard work…and a bit of luck. While I don’t believe in taking unnecessary risks, I do believe that dreams are worth pursuing. What seems like a precarious career path from the outside looks far less so when it’s paired with dedication, time, and effort. While I have gotten “lucky” taking this major risk, I have also set myself up for luck to come by working continuously at it.
I am choosing to take a risk by retiring after a decade with OCB. While I still absolutely love it, I feel it’s time that I pursue something that enables me to give back more directly to our community. I am choosing to go into a field called social/arts prescribing that isn’t well-known in our country in hopes that I can help expand its presence.
“Arts prescribing,” also known as “arts on prescription,” is when healthcare providers refer patients to arts and cultural activities to address health and well-being issues, complementing traditional medical treatments. While it’s risky to pursue yet another field that might not have a lot of financial backing, I want to do something that I truly believe in and feel can make a big difference in our community. Wish me luck!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gettothepointe0.wixsite.com/katewebbdancer
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katestahgram/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-berk-620aa2a5/
- Other: https://ocballet.org/kate-webb/
