“It wasn’t until I saw more women wearing the hijab in the news and on social media that I realized that maybe this could be possible.”
So says Stephanie Kurlow, an 18-year old hijabi ballerina, who talks about coming off tour with a mega-popular children musical group. “I never thought that I would see a hijabi dancer on stage with The Wiggles. That was just amazing and to think that they see that representation and they feel like they belong as well, which I think is really important.”
Ms. Kurlow, who hails from Castle Hill, Australia, says she feels a deep connection between her dancing and her faith. “My faith is really important to me. And it’s something that’s very spiritual for me. And so, I think that really comes out in my dancing.”
As for the future, the dancer is hoping to join a professional dance company and one day open up a ballet studio “for kids and young people of all races, religions and backgrounds and abilities. I really want to have a safe space for people to appreciate ballet and enjoy it just as much as I do.”
