Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Locke.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have been dancing since I was in the seventh grade and started performing in plays, musicals and at fairs when I was thirteen. I grew up with musical parents who brought me up on everything from Andre Bocelli to Selena and Michael Jackson. My mom was the always the musical theater one. She started taking me to musicals when I was in elementary school. I think the first show, I saw onstage, was Oklahoma. I grew up watching the 1965 version of Cinderella; Fiddler on the Roof and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I was mesmerized. I knew I always wanted to perform, though I took a detour through basketball and martial arts (I have a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do) so I definitely don’t regret it.
During high school, I was heavily involved in my high school’s drama department, started modeling and pursuing commercial pop music. I have performed at the Houston Pride Festival; sang that national Anthem for the Houston Astros and cheerleader for one of Houston’s pro-arena football teams.
After some bad experiences in the commercial pop world, I decided to pursue more musicals and my degree in Modern dance and dance composition. I actually didn’t start my ballet training until I was twenty, which is extremely late for any dancer but I love the discipline and have studied under some amazing teachers. During this time, I added modern dance and contemporary jazz to my repertoire. While pursuing my degree, I composed an original dance work that was taken to the 2015 American College Dance Association Southwestern Festival to great reviews.
My career also took off with a few national commercials; leading roles in local productions of Cinderella and Chicago; leading roles in a few short films and my first supporting role in a SAG feature film: The Pizza Joint (to be released Summer 2018).
Last year, I came to Atlanta.
Please tell us about your art.
I am a multi-faceted performer, choreographer, and model. I love to create anything; from writing music to choreographing musicals or concert dance; to writing and painting.
I started creating because I couldn’t help it. I am a huge fan of “car”eography; making up dances in my head to every song that comes on the radio, while I drive. Atlanta is big and has a lot of traffic so its super easy to do. I don’t want people to take away anything from my work. I want them to be so enthralled with it that they can’t remember what it was but, only, how it made them felt. I want them to remember moments and not know why they loved or hated it but simply that is resonated with them.
My inspiration has always been my life. It is a fun way to let people in on the most intimate parts of your life without them knowing exactly what they are looking at. My inspiration for succeeding at what I do has always been my family.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
Lack of easily accessible funding such as grants or simply pay for our services. Because it is a passion career, people think money is not a part of it. This is our career, we should be paid for a service just like any other job.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
They can find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/theonlycourtneylocke/
Instagram @thecourtneylocke
and Youtube.com/theonlycourtneylocke
My next venture is performing at Six Flags Over Georgia for their summer show. Come out! It is going to be a great show.
Contact Info:
- Email: courtneylockeent@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thecourtneylocke
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theonlycourtneylocke/
Image Credit:
Brittani Raye Mosley
Mathew Swindell
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