Dancers of Minnesota: Alexa Boderman

Introducing Dancers of Minnesota

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There are only a handful of dancers and coaches who have helped get Minnesota Dance News off the ground like this dancer and coach. It is fitting that this athlete be the first spotlight dancer in a new feature, Dancers of Minnesota.

Meet Alexa Boderman, a dancer, coach, athlete and trainer whose passion comes through in all she does. We caught up with Alexa at her alma mater, St. Catherine University, where she is also the dance coach. She is recovering from an injury, but she nevertheless commanded the camera despite a limited range of movement.

In addition to coaching the St. Catherine University dance team, this past year Alexa coached at two studios, helped to open the new Stretch Lab and, in her free time, is a dancer/director of the dancers in the Prime Time Basketball League.

When and where did you start dancing? What did you love about dance as a kid?

My mom put me in studio dance when I was about 3 years old. She thought I was so shy as a child and wanted to put me into an activity that would help me be more outgoing. Dance is something I love doing, because it allows me to express myself and my feelings. There’s no other feeling like it!

How has your style progressed? What types of dance did you love in the early years? What styles do you love today?
My style has changed and progressed as I’ve gotten older. Growing up and competing with studio dance, you get to compete and learn many styles. It’s such a great opportunity to become a well-rounded dancer, and to find a style(s) you could potentially specialize in if you want to pursue dance as a career. For me, I excelled, and favored tap, hip hop and high kick. That started changing slightly for me when I was in college. I competed mostly lyrical and pom for the St. Catherine University Dance Team, along with performing hip hop at sporting events. I was also a finalist a few times for an NBA dance team where hip hop, jazz funk, and pom sidelines were my focus, and what I continue to do best as a choreographer, dance coach, teacher and pro dancer.

What do you love about dance today?

I love the entire process of having to learn choreography quickly and then push myself to get it performance ready. You grow as a dancer so much while cleaning and preparing a piece, that when you look back, it’s such motivation to keep going. The rush of performing is also always my favorite!

What challenges (schedule, family, injury etc.) have you had to deal with? How did you overcome/work through the issue?

My senior year of college, I got a hip injury right before the comp season started, and it took me out of my entire season. It was extremely hard for me, as I have never previously had an injury that ended my season early. I wanted to get back into dancing so terribly bad, and that was my motivation to work hard through the grinding rehab process. It took almost 6 months before I was able to start slowly incorporating dance back into my life. I’m not going to lie, it was tough, but I’m so thankful for my friends, family and medical team that got me through it and continue working with me.

What is the biggest lesson you learned from the challenge above?
I learned to appreciate every opportunity given me and to stay positive during times that are tough. Your attitude can really help you get through any situation you’re dealing with.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
My mentor, colleague, and friend Monique Young-Dutton gave me the best advice as a dancer, coach and choreographer. She told me to always be myself. With my career, it’s always great to learn and be inspired by others, but at the end of the day, the only person that can achieve what you see in your head and heart, is you.

Do you want to give a shout out to anyone? Please put name, how you know them and what you want to say, one per line.

My mom is definitely a huge inspiration for me and I’m so thankful for her, she is the best example of a strong women in my life and has always been there for me!

I must also give a shout out to Monique Young-Dutton for pushing me as a dancer, choreographer and coach. She was one of the people that got me back dancing after my injury and believed in me to grow my dance career.

Finally, a huge shout out to the teams and studios where I currently coach, teach and choreograph including St. Catherine University, Primetime Basketball League, Dance Revue, and QC Dance.