"Black American Gem Dancing Beyond Borders: Kait Sardin’s Modern Twist on Irish Dance" 

INTERVIEW BY: GINA SEDMAN, WRITER/JOURNALIST & HEAD EDITOR 

Kait Sardin, 25, discovered her passion for Irish dance in Orlando at just seven years old, inspired by a step dancing group she saw during a ballet recital intermission. She began training under Myra Watters at the Watters School of Irish Dancing. As she pursued her studies at the University of South Florida and Hofstra University, she continued sharpening her skills at the Drake and Doherty Petri schools. Kait competed in regional, national, and world championships until 2019 when she decided to explore new dance styles through a student group at Hofstra.  

Her talent took her on tour with the Trinity Irish Dance Company, and she even appeared in the Season 17 commercial for "So You Think You Can Dance." With over 43,000 followers on Instagram, Kait's unique fusion of Irish dance and modern styles has caught the attention of stars like Missy Elliott, Tinashe, and Willow Smith. Memorable performances include a mix of Irish dance with Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" and an electric mashup to Missy Elliott's "Pass That Dutch" during her time at Hofstra.  

Born just two years after the "Riverdance" phenomenon, Kait Sardin represents a new generation of dancers expanding the limits of traditional Irish" dance while captivating a diverse, modern audience. I was blessed with the opportunity to interview this innovative and creative young woman about her career and journey in dance. Here is what she shared with me.  

Hello. Hi, how are you doing? I'm good. How are you? 

I'm wonderful! Thank you so much! I first discovered you on Instagram, and not only was I amazed by your talent, but I was equally amazed by your courage to do something that many people, especially people of color, wouldn't be courageous enough to do. We're going to get into what that special thing you do, but before we do, I would love to know where you were born and where you're currently living. Awesome. So, I was born and raised in Orlando, FL. I'm currently in New York, doing many shows, but I'm Florida-based. 

OK. All right. So, tell me, how was it growing up in Florida? It was very hot, but that's where I found my love of dance. I started ballet when I was 3, and when I was six, I got into Irish dancing. And that was my entire life in Florida. Of course, I would like to go out to nature because we have so many nature spots, but dance has always been #1 in my life. 

Awesome! Let's go back. Let's talk about when you first became interested in dance. Who were your influences? Who did you see dancing where it ignited your passion for dance? Janet Jackson and Britney Spears. I always loved seeing them perform. My mom would always have music on the TV. She would play MTV, and they would play their videos. Also, like Michael Jackson, I remember that "Thriller" was always so cool. That was always something that drew me in. 

Awesome. I really respect people who are unique, different, and courageous enough to step out and be different and do different things. So, kudos to you, first of all, for that. Thank you. 

You're welcome. So, I'm curious to know what inspired you to embrace your individuality, regardless of the crowd's choices. Many young people, influenced by their favorite stars on screen, often think, "I should enroll in a typical dance school, start training young, attend classes throughout high school, perhaps audition after school, and follow the usual path like everyone else." However, you chose a distinct path. What was it about Irish dancing that captivated you and made you pursue it? Yes, I used to be a ballet dancer before. During one of our recitals, they had Irish dancing for the intermission. The first thing that drew me in was the noise because I thought, "You're allowed to make noise with this?" I thought it was so cool that you were basically your own drum. It felt amazing being able to create rhythms by myself. My love for it was immediate from the first time I saw it. I was obsessed. My mom found classes the next week, and I started. 

So, what did your mom think when you first said, "Mom, this is what I want to do"?" She thought it was "another one of those things" because before that, I had tried gymnastics, karate, and a lot of other things that didn't stick.   

So, she was like, "OK, let's try it." But as I continued, she realized I really enjoyed it, so she was all for it.  

She took me to all my dance competitions. She made sure I went to every dance class. She was one of my biggest supporters, always wanting to see me thrive. She did everything she could to help me get where I am now. 

That's fantastic! Now, Kait, what challenges did you face when you decided to break away from the norm? I can relate to your experience as I often find myself standing alone, confidently saying no, while others say yes, but I remain unfazed by that. My commitment to my path is unwavering, and I also admire you for that quality. So, reflecting on that, what obstacles did you encounter while stepping out and pursuing a different path? There weren't a lot of black Irish dancers when I was growing up, so it wasn't always a space where I felt super comfortable at first. I was lucky I had a lot of supporters—my dance teacher and everyone were always super encouraging—but that was definitely hard at first. I realized pretty young that what I was doing was pretty cool. There were moments when I thought, "Oh no, I don't know if I can do this," but I would always tell myself, "You're already doing it, so just keep going."  

A few people also asked, "How are you doing this? You're black, you're not Irish, so you can't Irish dance." That was always something in the back of my mind, but I trained in it for so long and took the time to learn about the culture. I love the culture so much, and I love learning this dance and showing it to people. 

That's also been a big part of why I continue doing it. So many people message me saying, "Hi, I'm black, and I never thought I could do this dance style. I always avoided it when I was younger because I never saw myself in it. But you've inspired me to start looking into classes." That's been such a big motivator for me. 

Awesome. Now, how did you learn the dance? Did you find it a challenge to find a teacher in Florida where you were? How did you find someone who had a specialty in that type of dance? After the recital, my mom saw an ad in the newspaper about a school in Orlando. Mira Waters taught it at "The Water School." A week later, I joined classes.  

I started with just one class a week, but as I progressed, I ended up doing four to five classes a week when I was competing.  

Around 2019, I stopped taking classes, and when the pandemic hit, most of what I started doing was on my own. I would still watch Instagram to see the new steps, but since I had all the background, a lot of it was about finding the beat in non-Irish songs like Beyoncé. I realized, "Wait, this is all the same. I have to find the beat in my head." I went from there. 

Have you been to Ireland? Yes, I was just there last year for a movie, but I've been a few times. I competed at the World Championships, often held in Dublin and City West. I'd go once every two years for competitions. 

Have you won any awards yet? Yes. The first time I was in Ireland for the World Championships, we won. I have four World Championship titles and have done well at Nationals and Regionals. 

I'm so proud of you! Thank you. 

You're welcome. I heard you say "we." Do you compete as a group or just as an individual? It's currently just me individually, but I also perform with different productions. At the moment, I've danced with the Brooklyn Irish Dance Company as well. I love doing new things, and if it's out-of-the-box, I'm always like, "Yeah, I'll join." 

Awesome. Many people think that artistic professions like dance or singing aren't serious careers. But do you find that you can make a living from it, or do you have to do other things to sustain yourself? I do a little bit of both. Last year, my entire job was dancing. I taught dance classes and performed. In the future, I'll lean more toward teaching. I want to create a dance collective to keep my vision moving forward. 

There have been times, especially in Florida, when I had to get another job. But since being in New York, it's been great. I'd get a gig and think, "OK, we're set!" But it depends on the area. It's been ups and downs. That's the scariest part about dancing—you never know when your next gig is. 

Definitely, and that's what most creatives struggle with. There is so much talent, but not enough people willing to pay for its value. But it's good to keep going and pursue it. You remind me of Alvin Ailey, who started a dance company because of limited opportunities for people of color. I see you as being another first, just like him. You'll go down in history as someone teaching a new dance style to people of color.  

Misty Copeland broke barriers for black people in ballet. Serena and Venus broke barriers in tennis. When I first saw you, I said, "Wow, go, girl!" I think you're fantastic!  

Have you ever thought about doing Broadway with what you're doing? Definitely! One of my main aspirations is to establish a platform for artists to thrive, and I'm determined to make that happen. I've been reaching out to some of my fellow dancers to collaborate and share our vision because, as you mentioned, it's crucial for other Black dancers to recognize that they can achieve this too. Dance is incredibly important to me; it's my way of expressing who I am. I hope someone out there who feels unsure about expressing themselves might find inspiration in what I'm doing. Ultimately, I want to put together a performance showcasing your journey for everyone to see. 

Awesome! Can you talk about any significant opportunities or doors that have opened for you because of your unique style of dancing? Absolutely. At the start of this year, I was in New York for six weeks for an Irish stand show called What We Hold. It was a blend of contemporary and Irish dancing. Those six weeks were incredible. We had two shows daily, and meeting so many people was amazing. After the performances, they'd come up to us and say things like, "I've seen you on Instagram before; this is incredible!" I also have a few dance festivals lined up, which is exciting. 

Last year, I was in Limerick and worked on a movie about The Supremes set in 1981.  

It's still in production, but it was a fantastic experience. We toured all the places The Supremes visited, and at the end, we had a concert where we sang some of their songs. It was such an incredible experience! All these things I used to dream about as a child are actually happening now, and it's mind-blowing. 

Wow! I'm so happy for you and thrilled to hear that God is blessing you in this way! Will the movie be on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or the big screen? Where can people watch it? I'm not entirely sure yet, but once I have more information, I'll definitely update you. 

That would be fantastic! Thank you! I have one last question for you. This magazine is dedicated to people who are chasing their dreams. Many individuals feel lost, holding onto a dream but unsure how to pursue it. What words of encouragement would you share with that person who thinks, "I want to be unique; I want to achieve something remarkable"? I'd tell them to listen to their own heart. There have been many times when people told me my dream was too big, but I always trusted what felt right for me. For me, that was dance. So, follow your heart, and don't be afraid of the naysayers. It's your life, and if there's something you want to do or something you want to share, don't be afraid to show the world what you've got. 

That's so inspiring! You should definitely reach out to the Guinness World Records. I think you could make history as the first Black woman to do what you're doing in your unique style of dance. Speaking with someone as talented as you have been an absolute honor. I pray that God continues to bless the work of your hands, be it done according to His will for your life. May The Lord keep you safe on your journey.  

I'm so proud of everything you've achieved. Your boldness, tenacity, and positive impact on young people—especially girls of color—are remarkable. We need more role models like you to show our youth that they can do great things, make positive changes, and uplift their communities. Please continue to shine, and don't ever sell out! Thank you so much, Gina. That means a lot to me. 

You're welcome. God bless.