We had the good fortune of connecting with Avery Gillham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Avery, why did you pursue a creative career?
For me, the reason I chose to dance was because of how influential music was. Every time I heard it I would start moving or tapping along to the beat. Once Youtube came out and we had the ability to watch music videos repetitively, opened a whole new world to me. I watched videos of Usher, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, and more to learn choreography. I thought they were the best and wanted to be just like them.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Throughout my dance and performing arts career I have enjoyed many jobs and projects I was lucky to be a part of. One of my favorites was working closely with Broadways Tyler Hanes at City Springs Theatre for the show Holiday Inn. I was the tap choreographer. Another one of my favorite moments was working on the music video “Bones” by Tris Day with Xcel Talent Agency.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First we would hit all major things people should see when in Atlanta. Visit the Coke factory, Georgia aquarium, Ferris wheel, Mercedes Benzes Stadium, Truist park and the Battery, little five points, Ponce Market, Piedmont Park, and more. Even if there are a lot of locations to hit, I still have to take my friend to other parts of Georgia that are too good to pass up. Some of the walking/hiking trails in Georgia would be Amicalola Falls, Stone Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Raven Cliff Falls. While we drive around we might as well hit the School Bus Graveyard and swing by Athens to show them around UGA stomping grounds. After all this, I would take my friend down to Savannah and the islands to show them Georgia isn’t just a country state. We have beaches as well! Its pretty well rounded you just have to do a little driving and adventuring to discover where the hidden gems are.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh wow, so many people deserve a shoutout for helping me get to where I’m at today. First, I wouldn’t be anywhere without the support and love from my parents. If it wasn’t for them I have no clue what I’d be doing. After that it would have to be my home studio Great Gig Dance Company. Tammy Everhart, Dawn Parker, Aj Paug, Lindsay Fritz, Zack Everhart, Victoria Everhart, Robert Chabot, Diane Young were all teachers who pushed and challenged me to grow as a dancer. After high school I ventured out into musical theatre where I owe so much gratitude towards the people who gave me a chance to learn and perform in this industry. Brandt Blocker, Alan Kilpatrick, Cindy Mora Reiser, Mary Nye Bennett, Ricardo Aponte, The Atlanta Lyric Theatre and City Springs Theatre. I owe Kennesaw State University a huge thank you as well because without them I would not have found such an artistic side in me. Studying with professors such as Ivan Pulinkala, McCree O’Kelley, Lisa Lock, Jen MacQueen, Christine Welker, Sean Nguyen Hilton, Sarah Holmes, and Justin Anderson. And now Xcel Talent Agency for the opportunity to explore the commercial dance world and see what the future holds.

Instagram: @averygillham

Image Credits
Jeffery Erhunse ; Bubba Carr

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