Local StoriesMarch 13, 2023

Life & Work with Dylan Barnes of Overland Park

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Barnes.

Hi Dylan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started dancing the summer before Kindergarten in June of 2013. My parents put me in a hip-hop class, and I loved it. I tried out that summer for the competitive team at Jody Phillips Dance Company and have been there ever since. A highlight of my dance journey was in September 2015. I had a video go viral of me singing and dancing to “Shake it off” by Taylor Swift. The producers of “The Ellen DeGeneres” show contacted us and asked me to be on the show! They flew me to LA, and I could sit on Ellen’s couch, have a full interview, and then dance to the song that went viral! She gave me tickets to see Taylor Swift in KC at the show’s end! I went the following week and had front-row tickets with my mom to the concert. During the concert, Taylor’s mom asked us to come backstage afterward. It was amazing! We met Taylor and were able to speak to her for a while. She was so kind, and she even asked to dance with me to “Shake it off”; afterward, she tweeted the video with me. Another memory I will never forget. For the last couple of years, I have continued to be busy with dance competitions, and I made and joined my High School dance team, too (as the only boy!). This past summer of 2022, I tried out for Teen Dancer of the Year with an amazing company named Tremaine Dance. I was named Teen dancer of the year in July of 2022! I was beyond honored to be among this amazing pool of dancers! Since then, I have also traveled with them to different US cities and helped assist and perform at dance conventions.

You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
Dancing has always been my outlet to release all my feelings and emotions. That being said, I have also come to some negative comments thru my years of dancing. As one of the only boys on my high school dance team, I have heard comments before about judging that. I’m used to it now, and I try to see past it and stay focused on my true passion, dance.

Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I’m a competitive dancer of all dance styles (ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, tap, and lyrical). My favorite styles are jazz and contemporary.

Who else deserves credit for your story?
My parents, Brian and Mojdeh Barnes supported my love and passion for dance. Havin, both of their support have helped mold who I’m today. Jody Phillips and Lexi Glover, my two primary dance teachers and studio owner have been with me since I was five. They have helped bring out my love for dance even more with the time and energy they have put into making me the dancer I ‘am today.

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