Meet Kennedi Hines
November's Featured Emerging Young Artist
Meet Kennedi Hines, our November Emerging Youth Artist, whose energy, grace, and determination shine through every performance. As a junior at AR Johnson Magnet School, Kennedi balances her studies with an impressive dedication to dance, training in styles like jazz, tap, lyrical, African, hip hop, ballet, and majorette.
Kennedi’s journey began when she was just three years old. Her mom signed her up for ballet and tap, and from that moment on, she was hooked. What started as a fun childhood activity quickly became a lifelong passion. Over the years, she has explored every corner of the dance world, but jazz has stolen her heart.
After school, you’ll find Kennedi at A Creative Symphoni Dance Studio, where she trains four days a week with her talented instructors and dance sisters. When competition season rolls around, the rehearsals grow longer, but the bond grows stronger. Kennedi says those extra hours at the studio are some of her favorite times because they’re not just perfecting choreography, they’re growing together as dancers and friends.
Dance is more than movement for Kennedi; it’s her language. “Once on stage, I can dance and express my feelings without having to say a word,” she says. “It allows me to be creative.” Whether she’s rehearsing or performing, she gives everything she has, focusing on her technique and rhythm while letting her emotions guide her through each performance.
Looking ahead, Kennedi dreams of one day opening her own dance studio to inspire and teach future generations of dancers. She’s already getting a head start as a student teacher for tap and jazz classes at her current studio, helping young dancers discover the joy she’s found through movement. Beyond dance, she also plans to become a pediatrician, someone who helps kids stay healthy while also nurturing their confidence and creativity through the arts.
When Kennedi learned she had been chosen as the Emerging Youth Featured Artist of the Month, she was surprised and thrilled. “I was shocked when I found out,” she says. “It means someone is noticing my dancing and all my hard work is paying off.”
Her journey hasn’t been without challenges. Kennedi remembers starting out shy and preferring to stay in the back of the stage. Over time, as her confidence grew, so did her presence. Now she loves being front and center, sharing her joy and energy with the audience. That transformation is one of her proudest accomplishments.
Her advice for other young artists is simple but powerful: “Keep going. Never give up and never doubt yourself. One day you’ll look back and be so happy with all you’ve accomplished.”
Kennedi describes her art in three words: expression, rhythm, and creativity. Each performance reflects her passion and her drive to connect through movement. Outside the studio, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets, finding balance and inspiration in everyday moments.
Whether she’s performing at a local competition, teaching her students, or dreaming of sharing the stage with a superstar like Beyoncé, one thing is certain. Kennedi Hines is a rising star with a bright future ahead. Her dedication, positivity, and love for dance remind us all of the beauty that comes from following your passion wholeheartedly.
Congratulations, Kennedi! Keep dancing, keep dreaming, and keep inspiring others through your incredible art.