By Ella Blake, Noah Ablove and Lilianna Castaneda

BLOOMINGTON, IND. (Apr. 3, 2025)— With every leap, IU dancers exude passion that lives on well beyond the stage.

At Indiana University, collegiate dancers are more than their skill set and talent. They are their passion, energy, connection and raw emotion.

Dance is beautiful, but not just an art form. For performers, like Belle Matson, and fellow dancer and choreographer Keilyan Bryant, dance is their identity. Their art is their passion, their means of expression, and their happy place. Through their unique experiences, we’ve opened a door to the world of dance, and have come to know just how much dance has shaped them into the performers, students, and people they are today. Each performer has a different story, and a different journey. Speaking with both Belle and Keilyan has shown us that although each path is different, the reward is always great.

“Take the opportunity, do the opportunity,” said Matson, “because the reward is so high.”

When speaking to Belle, it was surprising to find out that she claimed not to be the best dancer throughout her formative years, and although she was never front and center, she was more than eager to learn. Beginning as a competitive dancer, her transition to her current collegiate style was challenging. Because of her passion for her art, she studied any available material, went to every class possible, and rehearsed religiously to achieve the level of skill she currently possesses. She spoke on the importance of saying yes, and taking every chance that comes your way. Matson is a prime example for those aspiring to dance, or take on any kind of challenge,  emphasizing that hard work propels you farther than natural talent ever could. Seizing the moment is what led to her great success.

Moments later, briefly sitting down with Bryant, he revealed why dance is important to him, and what it truly means to go out and perform. He best described his career as big effort, and a big smile to match.

“To me, it’s always like a big smile, and putting your best foot forward,” Bryant revealed.

Being a choreographer, as well as a stage performer requires the ability to see his craft from multiple perspectives, which is not an easy feat. He claimed his motivation to create routines,  is actually what he hears when the performances are done. He makes his fellow dancers feel alive. His reward is the impact he makes on his peers, and having knowledge of his craft, as well as experience, it means the world to him when his pieces create a sense of growth and freedom for his dancers.

These two remarkable individuals make up just one part of the IU dance community, and hearing from Belle once again, it seems community is an understatement. Matson, to wrap, really honed in on her fellow dancers always having each other’s back. The IU dance community is a family.

With each performance, and with every dance, Matson, Bryant, and dancers everywhere will continue to discover, nourish, and express parts of themselves that itch to be unleashed. Collegiate dance is a stepping stone to a successful and fulfilling future for these creative minds. Dance is not only an art, but a lifestyle.