Athlete Of The Week: Kesi Wilson

For senior Kesi Wilson, dance is more than just a hobby. When she was five-years-old, her mother asked if she wanted to play a sport, but Wilson chose dance because she could read in between classes. “After a while, I just started to love it,” Wilson said. “I’ve been dancing in one way or another ever since.”

Before coming to Exeter, Wilson considered herself to be a more “technical” dancer: she took ballet, jazz and modern classes every week. Now, Wilson is involved with many different dance clubs on campus, where she pushes herself to try new styles. “I’m not very girly or graceful in the ballet sense, but I am more hip-hop than anything else,” Wilson said. She explained that during her time at Exeter, she has developed choreography skills, creativity and has become more experienced technically. Wilson attributed her capacity for creating to the time she has to practice. “I am always learning from my fellow dancers and the dance teachers here, and I have lots of time to daydream about choreo and bring it to life; see what works, see what doesn’t,” Wilson said.

"It feels good that I was chosen for this position, because I know that people support my ideas and think I am good enough at what I do to lead a group of people."

Wilson dances for POMS, Exeter’s cheerleading team. She is a member of Illuminosity, a club that mixes dance, martial arts and fire. “I even tried breakdancing for a term,” Wilson said. She is also the co-head of Imani, a hip hop group, and of Precision, the female step team. Being a co-head is not a position that Wilson takes lightly. Wilson dedicates her time and energy to experimenting with inventive ideas and moves and picking good songs. “I don’t want each performance to just be okay,” Wilson explained. “I want it to be really good.” She described her style of teaching dance as one that focuses on repetition. “I drill and drill and refine forever before I am satisfied with something,” Wilson said.

Wilson sees the rewards of her hard work whenever her clubs perform. “It’s such a nice experience having an idea in your head and seeing it in real life,” Wilson elaborated. “I’m enjoying being a co-head so much.” Wilson continued, adding that if she hadn’t spent a year abroad in China, she would’ve enjoyed being a co-head much earlier.

Wilson was voted in by the co-heads who came before her. When asked how she felt about her appointment, Wilson said, “It feels good that I was chosen for this position, because I know that people support my ideas and think I am good enough at what I do to lead a group of people.”

Senior Hannah McKay is one of those people who admires Wilson’s skills and leadership. “Kesi is an amazing dancer,” McKay said. “She presents a confidence which makes it so [that] no matter what movement she is doing, the audience is completely drawn into her.” McKay and Wilson are both in charge of Imani, and create the audition routines for eager newcomers.

McKay recalled the process of auditioning earlier this year. “We decided we’d watch a video of a dance we liked and then teach each other the one we picked,” she explained. Wilson and McKay taught each other both dances in less than 15 minutes each, something very difficult to achieve. They planned to teach both dances within two hours, but could only get halfway through their first dance because they hadn’t realized how challenging the dance was. “We are both very creative and can pick up choreography very quickly,” McKay said. “When you put Kesi and I together, the things we come up with can seem impossible.”

McKay credited Wilson’s ability to memorize routines very quickly to the “intrinsic harmony between mind and body,” which results in a fluidity of movement and coordination. “She is what you’d call a ‘natural,” McKay said.

Senior Jaden Wood can also attest to Wilson’s remarkable talent. Wood and Wilson have both participated in Dance Company and taken dance classes together, and are both active members of POMS. “Kesi has always brought so much energy to dance,” Wood said. “No matter how she’s feeling, whether she pulled an all-nighter or if she’s just plain stressed, she leaves it all behind when she walks into the studio.”

Wood described Wilson as “funny” and a “positive influence” on the dance community at Exeter. She also praised Wilson for how seriously she approaches dance, despite her light-hearted demeanor. “Kesi is extremely intelligent,” Wood said. “She can always be counted on for advice, an educated opinion and a game plan when we’re in times of trouble.”