The world of dance is a bit like pro sports: only the best find regular work and can turn it into a lifelong profession.
Bowling Green native Heather Powers has enjoyed much success in ballet and west coast swing, forging it into a career that’s made her one of the finest. She even has a title earned only by the best – two-time US Open Swing Dance Champion – a designation as big as it gets, akin to the Oscars of swing.
Heather Powers with dance partner Kurt Senser at the US Open Swing Dance Championships in Los Angeles
State of the arts
Having lived in California most of her adult life through performing, teaching and judging, Powers is quick to give credit to her roots.
“After going to our (high school) reunion, I realized how tremendously cultured and enriched Bowling Green was, because there’s so many of us that became professional artists,” said Powers, who noted several classmates who went on to become graphic artists, studio artists, drummers, musicians, singers, and more.
“Bowling Green really allowed us kids to dream and love music,” she said. “Our high school had such an incredible music program, and we had a beautiful art studio program, and even in junior high, they really allowed us to pursue different outlets in art.”
Raising the barre
Powers began dancing at a young age, but things really took off as a BGHS freshman, when she began dancing professionally, full-time with the Toledo Ballet. She remained doing so until the mid-90s, which included studies at Arizona State and Chatham College (Pittsburgh).
Not long after, the Toledo Ballet came calling again to perform the Nutcracker. She did that for a while, but because ballet is so strenuous and demanding on the body, Powers eventually knew it was time to try something new.
Heather Powers with dance partner David Weise.
“In ballet, you just can’t do it forever because it’s tough on your body,” she said. “There’s only so long you can do that. It’s nice to spread my wings and do something different.”
King of swing
Powers ultimately ended up living in Napa Valley teaching ballet, and was given an opportunity to do swing dancing – a form that she never really knew existed. The style is difficult and can take years to learn, even to be able to dance socially, but her ballet experience served her well.
“I became very successful fast,” Powers said, who along with partner Kurt Senser, won the 2012 and 2014 US Open Championships. “That’s a title I carry with all of my life. It took a little while to feel the gravity of that win.”
Heather Powers performs at the Swing Diego Dance Championships in San Diego.
Where the spotlight shines
Powers knows a thing or two about the limelight. Her father works for CBS, and her step brother is famed actor Ethan Hawke, with whom she’s “very close,” and has occasionally attended a red carpet event.
Powers is grateful she remains in demand, and her widespread travels validate her belief that Bowling Green and Toledo are strong in the arts.
“I think other communities don’t have that kind of culture,” she said. “We benefited so much from growing up in that community. It’s a great town.”