I was in the Liberal Studies program for my first two years at NYU. I wanted to focus on either international relations or politics, and I ended up majoring in history with a minor in politics. I thought the program was great, and I have been considering going to graduate school to continue studying history.
When did you start dancing?
I have been dancing since my mom enrolled me in classes when I was three. We used to live in Colorado Springs and I originally started out doing figure skating. When my dad retired from the military, we moved to Texas, and I started focusing more on dance. I found a great tap teacher when I was twelve who had a youth ensemble that I joined.
When I moved to New York to attend NYU I continued taking tap classes at local studios with teachers like Derick Grant, cast member of Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk. On Mondays, I regularly performed at Swing Dance Night at the Cotton Club in Harlem with Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, who is an award-winning choreographer and tap dancer.
Karissa Royster: her story continues