Biography 

Kelly Bottini started her training at three years old in Bergen County, NJ, in a studio environment, competing for eight years. She continued her dance education, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Dance Studies from Nazareth University in Rochester, NY, in May 2025. During her college years, Kelly also received a Pilates Certification through Club Pilates’ Teacher Training Program, which ignited her interest in somatic approaches to movement. Kelly remained in Rochester for a year before migrating back to New Jersey to immerse herself in the NYC dance world.

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Through Kelly’s years of studio training, she studied extensively in tap, jazz, ballet, and contemporary dance, with supplemental training in Latin Jazz, Street Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Modern, and Musical Theater dance. She studied with several dancers in the industry, including Amelia Lowe, Alina Dronova, June Chin, Corey Randall, and Jazmin Tyson, and learned choreography from Heather Soco and Elizabeta Spuria.

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Kelly has lived with the struggles of mental health, and dance was the antidote to it all. As a dancer who lived through the COVID-19 pandemic, she faced a major obstacle: dance was no longer as accessible as it had been. Then, as a junior in high school, while facing the question of what she wanted to do after graduation, she realized she could not live without dance. From then on, it became her goal to keep dance in her life and advocate for the benefits of dance in both mental and physical health for all.

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She continued to expand her versatility in training at Nazareth University, honing her Limón Modern technique as well as Vernacular Jazz, Rhythmic Tap, Gaga Technique, African-Caribbean, and Contemporary dance. Kelly worked closely with Heather Roffe not only as a student but also as the dance department’s Concert Coordinator. She practiced the new skill of immersive theater under the guidance of former "Sleep No More" cast member Cat D. Olson, igniting her interest in all elements of theater. She also studied with notable professors Heather Acomb, Cheryl Johnson, Carlos A. Jones, and Elizabeth Bartholomew, to name a few.

Kelly also auditioned for multiple residencies held through her dance program, securing spots in works brought by Sakuraba Dance Company, Limón Dance Company, Gallim Dance Company, Urban Bush Women, and Rogue Wave, working with Yoshito Sakuraba, Daniel Fetecua Soto, Donterio Culp, Tendayi Kuumba, and Kentoria Earle. These opportunities led her to work with Katie Messina, starring in her residency piece and eventually interning for Rogue Wave in NYC.

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After college, she spent a year freelancing as a dancer in Upstate New York, working with a local choreographer, Amya Brice, performing and filming throughout the city. However, it did not fulfill the drive inside Kelly; she did not know where to turn until she stumbled upon the mentorship program, The Business of Dance, run by prominent dance industry figure Menina Fortunato. Through this opportunity, Kelly appeared on The Business of Dance Podcast, interviewing industry figures such as Jason Williams, Loïc Mabanza, and Tony Gonzalez.

 

Kelly further developed her craft by studying at the Garth Fagan Dance Company, implementing lessons from Biz of Dance classes, and attending open classes throughout the city. She also began pursuing modeling, collaborating with multiple photographers in the surrounding area. She took time to sharpen her skills in somatic knowledge and her approach to movement, creating a dynamic and expressive yet effortless display. She captivates audiences with the meticulousness of her movements, almost transporting them into her own world.