Art & Life with Rylee Locker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rylee Locker.

Rylee, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I am a mover that does not identify with one specific style. I started to get serious into dancing when I was 14. I was inspired by dancers on YouTube and my music. At the time, I was interested in the genres of contemporary and contemporary jazz. As a teenager I was definitely interested in the shock value of the routines, and I started teaching myself how to do all the crazy tricks I would see online. My high school’s dance program supported my love for the art and allowed me to grow within this medium.

During my senior year, Spring of 2015, I took my first open class out in the dance community from Jose Soto, who is still currently my mentor now. After high school, I attended Arizona State University as a Dance Education major. College was my introduction into modern dance, and hip-hop culture, which has changed the way I move. Exploring and researching different urban styles, such as breaking, locking, popping, whacking, and vogue has given me a completely different perspective within movement, culture, and our society.

While in school, I have continued to network, attend community events, and take classes from people within the dance community. I have worked with local artists and companies such as, Liz Ann Hewett, Scorpius Dance Theatre, Epik Dance Company, and now I am currently dancing with Halo Movement Collective. Now that I am 21 and about to graduate ASU, although I will always continue to train and be the best I can be, my mindset/focus is shifting from how good of a dancer can I be, to how can I be a leader in my community.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I want people to know that dance does not have any limits, and neither does my art. I do not want people to assume that I only do one specific thing. I love creating compositions and choreography, I love freestyle and improvisation, I love commercial industry dance, I love the cultures behind the dance, I love how dance can help those in need, I love having conversations about dance, I love how dance can be used within other mediums, like film, and I love how dance can be a voice for those that are unheard.

Regarding to what I am doing now with dance, I have been focused on building the Vogue Ballroom scene in Arizona. By hosting weekly vogue sessions and classes, I hope that I am creating resources for those who are interested, and I am currently trying to figure out how to reach beyond the dance community, because this culture is more than the dance.

What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I believe the role artists have changed depending on your perspective. There is always a lot happening in the world. I believe all art has power and an ability to send a message to a greater audience whether it is to shine light on a heavy subject that needs discussion, or spread positivity as a temporary distraction.

Whenever I am creating art, taking whatever is happening in today’s current events into consideration is always necessary. As art is subjective, I think acknowledging the different perspectives is important, but allowing them to influence your decision making when creating your work is something else. It is about being honest with yourself and what you think.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
People can easily see the range of my work on my social media platforms, and stay updated with what classes I will be teaching, shows I am in, and community events. People can support my work by coming to my classes or shows.
Instagram: @ryleelocker, YouTube is Rylee Locker, Facebook page is @ryleejlocker

Contact Info:

• Email: ryleej148@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryleelocker/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryleejlocker/
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK2i4Mi-0GZHcgC90wyyvWA?view_as=subscriber

Image Credit:
Regan Norton, Justin Villalobos, Brian Bossert, Taylor Peck, Brad Drenning.

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