Corey Kinyon-Cruz, USTA Professional from California, is a member of the Coaches Department, a former Grand National Strut Champion, a World Champion Gold Medalist in the team event, and an accomplished coach and choreographer! She sat down with Inside Loop and discussed her amazing sources of inspirations. Here’s what she had to say:
Inside Loop: Corey, what has been your biggest source of artistic inspiration?
Kinyon-Cruz: Everything and anything can be a source of inspiration! I love dance, all types of performing arts productions, the colors of the seasons, nature, fashion trends, travel experiences, and music!
When I was about six years old, I was lucky enough to see the Ice Capades! It was magical when an entire group of skaters did the splits on the ice. I remember telling my mom on the way home that I wanted to do the splits. That motivation prompted my start in baton, and my love of group choreography!
Now we have so much wonderful inspiration at our fingertips at any moment! We can find every genre of dance and music, varied sources of gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics, and many Cirque shows online. My favorite source of inspiration is live music, concerts and music festivals that showcase young talent, new trends, humor, and art!
Inside Loop: As an accomplished professional, what advice would you give to our young athletes wishing to be inspired and motivated?
Kinyon-Cruz: My advice to young professionals is to “never stop learning.” A learning attitude is what keeps you moving forward. Learn something daily!
I went back to school to complete my degree in dance in my mid-50s. It was both the hardest and most exhilarating thing I have ever done! The skills I learned were so much more profound than the dance and theatre criteria, the writing intensives, or the physical challenges. I learned to embrace the experience of working alongside peers younger than my daughter, and I learned self-acceptance as my classmates and professors supported my endeavor.
So, keep learning and growing!
Inside Loop: And lastly - you know we always ask - tell us something the twirling world would not know about you!
Kinyon-Cruz: Three things you might not know about me are.
- I have a fake eardrum.
- I love to work in my yard
- I drove my Camry 330,000 miles
Inside Loop: Thank you, Corey, for giving us an inside look at your world. We appreciate you sharing the inspiring details!