DANCER HIGHLIGHT: Jazz Khai Bynum

Jazz Khai Bynum in The Green Table | Photo by Beau Pearson

Originally from Maryland, Bynum joined Ballet West Academy as a trainee in 2018 and then Ballet West II in 2019. She was promoted to the main company in 2021. As Bynum reflects on the last season, she shares that her favorite role was performing Little Swans (Cygnet) in Swan Lake.

“Weirdly enough my highlight was still Little Swans because Swan Lake is my second favorite ballet of all time. It was very hard and a lot of work went into it, but I loved it,” said Bynum. “There is a lot of theatrics, so you don’t really focus on it while you’re on stage because you are in the moment for that character. It’s the best feeling, when you put so much time into something, focusing on the details non-stop and really trying to embody what’s given to you, but also make it your own, then you finally get on stage and have that moment.”

During the dancers off time during the summer, Bynum mentally lets go of the previous season. “My initial goal at the beginning of summer is to not be here, in the studio. I get out in the sun, spend time with family, and give more time to hobbies I enjoy doing, like crochet, cook new recipes, paint, read, hike, and escape to the beach,” she says. “Then when it’s time to go into next season, I am refreshed and eager to take on new casting and experiences.”

Last season her focus was on enjoying everything, no matter what she was or wasn’t doing. “I’ve had a great season and it’s been nice to have that freedom because in the past, it was very easy to be frustrated just with day-to-day work. Now, I remind myself to just enjoy it because we don’t know what’s going to come or when it’s going to come. I don’t have to figure out, which brings me a lot of peace. My faith has given me that strength.” Follow Jazz on Instagram @theresilientballerina