Meet Findlay McConnell | Dancer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Findlay McConnell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Findlay, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
From the time I can remember, I never had a sit down conversation with my parents discussing that I was going to pursue a career in dance; it’s almost like the question was already answered. From the time I was born until now, I have always been moving. There was never a Plan B, another passion that was equal to dance. Nothing ever compared and nothing else was ever discussed. It is the thing that I love most and what I am meant to do. The world of dance allows for so much creativity and challenge and dialogue and knowledge. The learning never stops and that’s what I find so interesting about it. No matter how advanced we think we’re getting in the field; there is more to learn and discover.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Pursuing a career in dance has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Thinking back, I can’t even believe the places dance has taken me and the people I have met from it. All shaping me and giving me life experiences to pull from for inspiration to my art. In 2023, I just graduated from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance in Southern California, and I am extremely excited that I will be staying in LA to start working towards a career in dance. It is interesting because from such a young age I always knew that one day I would hopefully get to the place where I am now; so it is super surreal to actually be there. It has been an insane journey with an abundance of highs and lows and things that were sacrificed along the way. Countless hours training and competing and missing out on holidays and family time are just a few things that needed to happen to get me to where I am but were worth it. This is what I always wanted to do.

I have learned so much about myself and others from dance. Dance teaches you so many vital life lessons in a way that you dont even recognize at the time that you’re learning them. Teamwork, leadership, respect and trust, are all things that were nurtured in the dance studio. I trained my whole life quite intensely, my studio growing up was one that you went to if you were thinking that this was something you wanted to continue post high school. We were exposed to so many different diverse and unique artists and styles from such a young age. I think that has assisted in my abilities and elevated me to be able to be a diverse dancer and have a deep knowledge of the art form. Its more than movement and its exciting to peel back all the layers and learn about the history and the culture as well as the styles and the genres.

So, I am now living in Los Angeles at 22 ready to dive in to this new chapter which is extremely exciting. I suspect the journey will still be full of highs and lows as well as more sacrifices but it will be a fulfilling adventure nonetheless.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There is a mountain of people who have taught, mentored, guided, supported, and championed me along my journey that without them, I would not be where I am today. My family and friends, Dawn Rappitt, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, BLOC LA, Tate McRae, have all immensely played a massive part in my life and career so far and I am truly so appreciative of them all.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findlaymcconnell/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@findlaymcconnell269

Image Credits
Lee Gumbs (dance photos), Baeth (tour pics)