Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Breen Combes.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kathleen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been a ballet dancer since the age of 3, I fell in love with the art form and knew that being a ballerina was all I wanted to do with my life. I was lucky enough to make that dream a reality and I joined a professional Ballet company at the age of 18. I’ve been dancing professionally ever since and with the Boston Ballet since 2003. I am currently a Principal Dancer with the company.
Unfortunately, like any other athlete, a career in ballet is not one that lasts forever. You hit your 30’s and suddenly retirement seems right around the corner. I started to contemplate my next move and did some soul searching about what I wanted that to be and would make me happy. Ultimately, I wanted to find something I felt as passionately about as I did ballet, something as fulfilling just on a different level.
While continuing my dancing career I started working towards my Bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University. In 2016 I graduated with a degree in Organizational Communications and Management. I am currently in the graduate program for Non Profit Management.
Pursuing an academic career while dancing was eye opening. Suddenly, I was outside of the “ballet bubble”. I started to look at things with a new perspective. I also started to realize all of the unique attributes that I already possessed by being a professional dancer. I became interested in what other dancers had become after their stage career came to a close, and how they got there. Which is what inspired the idea of Artistic LeadHERship.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Is it ever? I have faced many struggles over the course of my ballet career. Injuries, artistic differences, dealing with the pursuit of perfection, and coming back from pregnancy to name a few. But each struggle taught me something and helped pave the path to where I am today. I think my own internal struggle about my next career was the catalyst for this project.
Please tell us about Artistic LeadHERship.
This idea was born out of my own personal desire to speak with incredible women and find out what made them successful both as artists and leaders. I couldn’t help but want to share their unique paths to success, and the qualities they felt helped bring them there.
As an artist myself, I believe the traits we embody from a young age are transferable and extraordinarily valuable in the “real world”.
I wanted to highlight those attributes and delve deeper into the issue of empowering future generations of female leaders.
Currently Artistic LeadHERship is a blog and offers resources. I would love to continue to expand the idea to other artistic genres and possibly create a podcast, do speaking engagements, consulting and even create a curriculum.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have so many lovely memories. I think one that stands out was the moment I first stepped foot on the City Center Stage in NYC at 7 years old. I was a student extra and my “role” was to hold a dancers cape as she walked onstage. I fell in love with everything about theatre life. I knew I had to be a part of it!
Contact Info:
- Website: artisticleadhership.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artisticleadhership/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artisticleadhership/
- Twitter: @leadhership
Image Credit:
Jordan Jennings, Kenneth B. Edwards, Kadri
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