#DanceWithPride 💗 Throughout the month of June, we’re speaking to some of our dance community to highlight the experience of LGBTQ+ dancers in the industry, as well as events, performances, and initiatives within the community. Today we’re shining a spotlight on Bloch Professional @lelo_vicky, to speak about their experience performing en pointe, and what this means to them! ““Staying on Freedom” Choreographed by Heather Maloy. This piece deeply spoke to me as a queer person of color, because throughout ballet history, rigid gender roles have defined how dancers are expected to perform, and stepping outside those boundaries as an Afro-Boricua person comes with its own set of challenges. Thankfully, Heather Maloy, the Artistic Director of Terpsicorps Theater of Dance (TTD) in Asheville, has created a space where I can fully be myself without having to conform to strict traditional male roles. TTD has given me the opportunity to use my art to promote awareness and inclusivity within the ballet world, breaking down barriers one performance at a time.” 🩰🌈