At eight years old, Junior Lindsay Culbertson dedicated her free time to ballet. Dancing at Heart of America Dance Centre four to five days a week provided her the foundation for her America’s Got Talent audition.
“It was kind of last minute,” said Culbertson, “but I just prepared by choreographing the dance, getting a lot of sleep, and waking up early and stretching.”
The Kansas City auditions for “America’s Got Talent” were held at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City. Culbertson’s dance to “Home” by Phillip Phillips was taped by a judge and sent on to other judges where they called her to perform again. She did not make it to the next round.
“I don’t regret anything I did, it was just an overall good experience for me to practice auditioning,” said Culbertson.
On Nov. 9, Culbertson starred in “Cinderella”, a ballet put on by Heart of America. Almost every ballerina in the studio danced in the production, including Junior Megan Garcia.
“I was so ecstatic for Lindsay and this moment for her. I am so proud of everything she’s worked for,” said Garcia.
Culbertson used some of the choreography and the costume from Cinderella for her America’s Got Talent audition.
“Cinderella made me an overall better dancer,” said Culbertson. “Being able to play Cinderella was a huge blessing and an amazing experience.”
Although she does not intend to become a professional dancer, Culbertson would like to continue taking dance classes after high school and hopes to become a part-time dance teacher. She wants to maintain the foundation her teachers have laid for her and expand upon it to influence others.
“My biggest inspirations are my dance teachers,” said Culbertson, “Just to see how committed they are to dance and how much of a love they have for it.”
By Lexie Salamone
