Berks County native Kelly Barber has been dancing practically since she could walk. Following years of study with such distinguished companies as the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts, the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Burklyn Ballet Theatre in Vermont, the Exeter Township resident danced professionally with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland in Annapolis. In recent years, Barber returned to our area to work as an instructor with the Berks Ballet Theatre Conservatory of Dance, for which she is now artistic director.
Q: Many ballerinas start lessons very young; how old were you when you started?
I started ballet when I was nine, but I actually started dancing at the age of four. My mom put me in dance, but it was tap and jazz, not ballet. I remember being nine and seeing the girls taking ballet; they were all older and it really made an impression on me. I guess it was my inspiration. For me, Saturday morning class was the best because that was when the company had class and I could see them; I wanted to be like them, and that’s how I started ballet lessons.
Q: Did you always want a career in dance?
I did. I was focused on it and wanted to get into a company from the time I was in my teens. I danced for a few years in Annapolis, Maryland, but then took some time to train as a massage therapist. I worked in that field for a time and realized I missed dancing and teaching, and I was still young and not ready to stop. I then started with Berks Ballet and became artistic director in 2007.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
I get to work with a lot of great people. And I love being in the studio with the dancers. I have a really good eye for detail, so once the choreography and music are set, I guess my favorite part is really fine tuning and rehearsing the dancers – helping them to bring it all together.
Q: The Nutcracker is a favorite, and a holiday tradition, for many people. Due to the nature of that show, I guess that is your biggest production, correct?
Yes, and this year will be special because we’re changing locations. Rather than having it at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center, we’re going on our own – without the Reading Symphony Orchestra. It will be held this year at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in West Reading as entirely our own production with new costumes, new sets and no live music. We’ve been doing it for 25 years and thought it was time for something new, something different and fresh for the company and for the audience. It should be really exciting and lots of fun.
Q: I know you’re always working – days, nights, weekends – so when you get a break what does a busy ballerina do for fun?
[laughs] I have to say I’m a bit of a reality TV junkie so when I have some time I like to relax and catch up on my shows.
Q: I’ll bet you’re aware of many misconceptions about ballet dancers – for instance, many female dancers look fragile but it takes a lot of strength to do ballet – what would you say is the biggest thing people don’t understand about dance?
I think it’s that some people ask “what’s your real job?” and I always say this is my real job. It’s not a nine-to-five day, but it is my full-time job. And it’s so much more than just the shows; it’s about living out my passion and being lucky enough to have a career I love. I feel fortunate because I hear people complain – and everybody has a bad day – but I don’t think of my job that way. I love what I do and I get to surround myself with other people who share the common bond of dance, which makes me happy.
BY MICHELLE E. BIGGERSTAFF | PHOTO BY JOHN A. SECOGES, SECOGES PHOTOGRAPHICS
