Viva Las Vegas Victoria Stocki-Kim
Victoria Stocki-Kim, the newly appointed Director of the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre, believes there are three traits that distinguish a successful dancer: dedication, determination and discipline. The same terms apply to directors as well as dancers because good directors must be dedicated to the organization, determined to make successful steps forward and disciplined enough to maintain the company's vision in the face of inevitable obstacles. Victoria fits the bill.
She embodied her three "D's" early on and knew her own mind at an age when most dancers are still dabbling in a variety of dance styles, not sure which to choose. She was 12 years old when her father began to question the wisdom of funneling so much money into dance. He told her she would be better served stashing it away for college. Undeterred, Victoria promptly drew up a business plan for her future and presented it to him. She suggested that all college money be directed toward her ballet classes. So persuasive was she that he complied.
Now she had to prove herself. Her perseverance and talent quickly brought scholarship after scholarship: Kirov Academy, Interlochen Arts Academy, School of American Ballet, Chicago City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet School and the Briansky Ballet.
Her professional ballet career spanned fourteen years. She danced nationally with Tulsa Ballet Theatre and Dayton Ballet Theatre and spent nine years as a soloist with the Universal Ballet Company of Seoul, Korea.
But that wasn't all. Not content to perform, Victoria also taught classes. Her professional teaching experience included faculty stints with Detroit Opera House's Center for Arts and Learning, the Kirov Academy in Washington D.C., and the Universal Ballet Academy, and she was the assistant director and co-owner of Art Ballet Center.
It all culminated in her appointment as the Director of the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre where her performance, teaching and business skills are intertwined. Although many dancers go on to teach, few move into administration. Victoria explained, "I feel it's a link in the chain. It's all the same. You need to teach to be in there. Being involved artistically and being the mind behind the office door are areas that need to be bridged."
As a student and then as a professional, she observed errors of organization and spent a good deal of time envisioning how companies could reach their full potential. She said, "Often instructors don't wish to be leaders and leaders don't wish to instruct." Fortunately, Victoria wished to do both. She hopes to help develop a nationally recognized company that will be viewed on a level with the biggest names in ballet. She said, "A high quality institution is a choice. Some people like to eat at McDonald's. Others like a five-course meal ... Academy of Nevada Ballet is poised for greatness. I am committed to striving to have this academy reach its potential." What sets them apart is the fact that all of their students flock to the Academy because they prefer the five-course meal.
But where does a new director start and how? Victoria said, "You ease into it. You start with the little things that are problems for students or parents and smooth them out." In this case, that includes things like the names of classes - simplifying them so no one is confused. She will, she said, start by "re-evaluating the process to see the natural rhythm and pulse of the Academy. You iron out the wrinkles and make it a smoother running organization."
Additionally, Victoria recognizes the value of interaction between the Academy and the professional company. It's not enough to have the two intermingle once a year at "Nutcracker" time. As Victoria said, "You must give them a vision or hope, something to strive for." Stronger bonds between the Academy and the professionals will create a more cohesive company, and so she hopes to have more functions where both groups participate.
Fortunately, her career at the Academy of Nevada Ballet began with one worry off her plate: the teachers. She has a corps of teachers who are exceptional. "The teachers are nice and good and strong already."
Being a director with a strong professional background, Victoria is in a position to move the Academy forward and turn out exceptional dancers with healthy, happy attitudes. She said, "I wish I would've realized that we're beautiful as we are while we're dancing. Dancers' standards are so high that ultimately they can never reach satisfaction ... I had to do a hundred and ten percent. A hundred is fine. You end up harming yourself and then you can't enjoy it."
That would indeed be a shame and it's something she's determined to instill in dancers. Practice the dedication, determination and discipline that Victoria Stocki-Kim advocates and strive for the best you can be but know that a hundred percent is enough.