Mentor Spotlight: Meet Kiara!

There’s no Encore without the team and students who take part in the classes and events. They are the bloodline of this organization.

So, today we’re going to give tribute to one of our instructors, Kiara Ward! We’ve asked her some questions that will help us get to know more about her.

What do you do at Encore?

I teach beginning tap, and I’m the assistant show choir director.

What Encore Show or Class have you been a part of?

I just moved to the St. George area, so this is my first season working with Encore. Aspire has been AMAZING so far. I mostly work with Thrive—those cute kids are so talented! And teaching dance always brings joy to my soul. 

What do you love most about working in the performing arts?

I love seeing growth in the kids I work with. It’s so exciting to see them achieve something they may have previously thought they weren’t capable of. The performing arts have a way of instilling confidence in a different way than anything else. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to all up-and-coming performers?

You don’t need to be THE BEST, you just need to be YOUR BEST. 

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Theodore Roosevelt

What training or experience do you have that helps you in your role at Encore?

In addition to the many choirs and musicals I was in growing up, I have a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Pedagogy (teaching) from BYU-Idaho. 

During my time at BYUI, I also studied various aspects of sports medicine, injury prevention, kinesiology, child development, and creating trauma-sensitive classrooms.

Tell us something unusual or special about you

I have certifications in yoga teaching, personal training, and health coaching.

There you have it! We saw how qualified and experienced Kiara Ward is and how she enjoyed being a part of Encore. Next time, we’ll feature one of our students, so you’ll have an idea about the overall Encore experience.