The professional dancer returns annually to offer affordable arts training through her family-run nonprofit.
Homewood native Kat Files and her two brothers return to Birmingham each year to teach, inspire and educate young dancers and musicianshas danced since she was 4-years-old. Her talent has taken her around the country, yet every year she returns to Birmingham to give back.
Growing up, Files said she remembers traveling out of state to learn dance techniques that weren’t available in Birmingham. Instead of packing her bags and never looking back, Files created a program that has exposed more than 6,000 community members to opportunities in the arts. “I am not based in Birmingham anymore, but I am still trying to have an impact and influence because I love the city that I’m from,” Files said. “We’re trying to uplift the community and move the needle forward.”At the event, Files will also host a workshop to encourage community members to express themselves through movement. “We’re incorporating all of these various art forms and making it about the Smithfield community. So many amazing, wonderful, talented and influential people have come out of that community,” Files said. “We want to highlight and bring awareness to those people through various art experiences.” Over the years, Files’ work has connected people through art and exposed them to the talents that Birmingham community members have to offer.In her early years, she attended the Birmingham Ballet Academy and the Alabama School of Fine Arts to hone her skills.She trained at world renowned dance studios including the Bates Dance Festival in Maine and Ballet West in Utah, among others. At age 15, she trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York, which is known for celebrating African American culture. “That experience changed my life,” Files said. “I was able to see dancers who looked like myself doing something for their professional career, living their dreams.”For years, Files lived her dream in New York performing on stages in front of hundreds of people.Files said she never imagined becoming a teacher, but returned to teach again, nonetheless.“I wanted to just expose dancers to this technique that I had been learning in New York City and Atlanta,” Files said.“That is where my true desire to teach and give back flourished,” Files said. “I know there’s a need and a want. It’s just about uplifting the next generation and giving back.”teachers from around the country In June, Files hosted 80 students at the program’s twelfth annual, week long Dance and Music Workshop and Showcase at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and the Boutwell Auditorium.Over the years, more than 500 people have participated in the workshops and showcases, including community members like Kira Fonbah and A’Zuri Hubbard. Fonbah, a 44-year-old working mom of four, said she never let life get in the way of her passion for dancing. In college, she learned ballet and even danced as the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Blaze mascot.“When you walk in, you are made to feel at home. It is so welcoming,” Fonbah said. “I remember walking into one session, and Kat was at the front repeating, ‘I am bold, I am kind, I am brave.’ I’m telling you, I was tearing up. It was so inspirational. They care about not just building beautiful dancers, but they’re building beautiful human beings who are strong, who are kind, who are also go-getters.” She said Files’ program has helped her grow as a dancer through health and wellness workshops, mock auditions and solo performances. “They make you feel seen,” Hubbard said. “The instructors really do believe in me…If you want to be in that professional setting, they’re there to help you.”“It doesn’t matter how old you are. If you just always wanted to dance, and you don’t have the funds to just go out and do some of the crazy dance intensives and stuff, I think that this is a good opportunity,” Hubbard said.“We understand that everyone cannot afford that. So bringing high quality training and performing opportunities to all of the communities, and making this accessible to expose these students to something that they might not even realize is a possibility for them, that’s what we’re rooted in,” Files said.Files said she hopes to expand her nonprofit to offer more professional arts experiences and longer programming, though funding is limited. “We’ve had some amazing partners in Birmingham which have allowed us to continue to do what we’re doing, because, quite frankly, more funding is needed,” Files said.“This is a phenomenally massive undertaking they’re doing. There are scores and scores and scores of kids who participate. And this thing is so well organized and it flows seamlessly,” Fonbah said. “Kat didn’t have to turn back. But she was very intentional about giving back to underserved communities, those communities that would not always have access to dance, or it’s not easy to access. And it’s not a half hearted effort. This is done with excellence.”‘We’re still struggling’: How an Alabama town is fighting to rebuild years after disasterIf you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our
@River-State Making Bhm Better Section:/News/Birmingham
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
This Birmingham seamstress worked with an R&B icon while fighting through rough patchesHer talent took her places, but she had to fight through addiction to get where she is today.
Read more »
Birmingham police rack up at the 2025 World Police and Fire GamesWith over 8,000 police officers and firefighters from 70 countries across 1,600 medal events and 60 sports, Birmingham seems to be dominating the competition.
Read more »
Birmingham activist slams mayoral candidates as social media stars with ‘no focus’ on issuesFrank Matthews, the 69-year-old former gang liaison says the current mayoral field ignores crime and economic development while focusing on social media presence.
Read more »
AL.com journalists, Birmingham poet to host night of storytelling, ‘Birmingham Dreams’This event, part of AL.com’s ongoing “Beyond the Violence” project.
Read more »
Research Fellow in Computational Metabolomics - Birmingham, West Midlands job with University of BirminghamPosition Details School of Biosciences Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149 Grade: 7 Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2028 Closing date: 25th July 2025 ...
Read more »
School of Biosciences - Birmingham, West Midlands job with University of BirminghamPosition Details School of Biosciences Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149 Grade: 7 Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to February 2028 2 positions available Closing date: 27th July...
Read more »