Daily Inspiration: Meet Cami Mathews

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cami Mathews.

Cami, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started dancing in Apex around the age of 4. I immediately loved performing on stage and especially loved all the glitter involved! I started dancing competitively around 6, and I knew I had found my true passion. Growing up, I attended many dance intensives, including the University of North Carolina’s School of the Arts summer contemporary dance intensive and many intensives with The Commercial Dance Intensive (run by Casey Noblett, an RDU local!). I have been dancing at CC&Company Dance Complex for the past five years, three of which are part of their senior core dance company. While dancing at CC&Co, I have been able to dance at UNC and NC State basketball games and opened and danced in the Raleigh Christmas parade. This July, I will be moving to NYC to participate in Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
When I was 13, I suffered from a horrible concussion. I had trouble speaking and walking, but I also had double vision and hearing problems from the concussion. It took some time, but luckily I was able to recover. After three years, my vision finally was normal again, and my hearing was much better. Not being able to dance was very hard for me, but I could connect to it through music, whether listening to it or playing it on the piano. Covid was also complicated. Switching from a fast passed environment to my living room was a big adjustment. I am so thankful for my parents. They let me move all our furniture out of our living room so that I would have space to “zoom dance.” Going through covid has led me to be thankful for every moment because you truly never know when it will be your last time.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I try to make myself a well-rounded dancer, taking everything I can. Every week, I take ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip-hop, musical theatre, and technique classes. I also have had the privilege to take various ballroom styles and even Bollywood classes! My favorite style of dance is musical theatre and precision jazz. Being a versatile dancer has helped me through many auditions and made me a more marketable person. My dream job is to be a Rockette! I would also love to be on Broadway and work for Disney one day.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
One of my favorite books is “The Business of Show” by one of my mentors, Adam Cates. It is a book that opened my mind to the possibility of becoming a professional dancer. It also teaches you about agencies, making a resume, and social networking.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://instabio.cc/4051113KAS6Qy
• Instagram: @camimdance

Image Credits
MK Cranford and Elissa Edwards