MEET KARLI, OUR LATEST UNICORN
After attending our first ever six week course back in 2016, Karli’s been looking for an excuse to move back to NZ and keep dancing. Now she’s back and she’s the newest unicorn to join our amazing team instructors. Her favourite move involves isolating one part of her body while maintaining eye contact with someone.
Get to know our American import a little better…
Shut Up & Dance in three words? Go:
Freeing, Invigorating, Elating
What’s your Guilty Pleasure dance track?
I honestly have no shame, so they’re all really just plain ol’ pleasures. I’m always down for when country artists try to be hip hop because it’s like a car crash where it’s awful, but you just can’t look away. One particular bop is Dancing While Intoxicated (DWI) by Colt Ford, LoCash, and Redneck Social Club. It’s... honestly terrible, and I freaking love it! If that gets you moving and grooving, also check out Donkey by Jerrod Neimann. When I’m not blasting country music though, I’ll probably be listening to either Todrick Hall or BLACKPINK.
If you were to be stranded on a desert island and you had to take one person with you, who
would it be and why?
It has taken me forever to answer this question because I tried writing about so many different practical people; but, every time my subconscious would whisper “girl, you know you just want to take Cate Blanchett with you.” So, Cate - consensually, of course - because she’s a beautiful goddess and my
forever #1 celebrity crush 💜🌈
Have you done anything in the past week that has made you proper cringe?
My elementary school PE teacher used to say “If you act embarrassed, you will be embarrassed,” and that mantra has really stuck with me, so it’s rare that something makes me go *palm to forehead.* But also whilst shadowing Clair in class for the first time, I totally fell off the stage, sooooo...
What would you do if you won the lotto?
Oh lordy, it really depends on how much I win... There are so many things I would love to do! If I have enough to somehow magically create world peace, then that’s one and done! But the realist in me says “payoff all my student loans; donate to charities that are making positive changes in gender and LGBT equality, environmental protection, and/or global health and education; and invest the rest.” But the dream would to do all of the above, shower my friends and family with adventurous trips around the globe, and treat myself to some incredible vintage clothing and Re-Mix dance shoes.
What inspires you?
People who fight for what they believe in, especially in the face of adversity
What would you say is your biggest achievement yet?
Not being lactose-intolerant, despite consuming the extensive amount of dairy that I do.
QUICK FIRE ROUND
What's your favourite quote?
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone
Vegemite: Yay or nay?
I’ve actually never had it...
If you were a cake slice what would you be and why?
A “slice” that’s really just the entire cake minus a small slice I was forced to give someone else because
I. LOVE. BAKED GOODS. It would also be covered in cream cheese frosting because I’m super cheesy, and also edible glitter because I’m #extra.
If there was a film made about your life, what's the song that plays on its trailer?
And We Danced by ma boy, Macklemore
Pet peeve?
People being terrible at parking where there could totally be room for another car
IF THEY ONLY MOVED UP A LITTLE!
Favourite quality in people?
When we’re able to casually have really deep conversations
Cats or dogs?
I love both, but there’s a special place in heart for doggos 🐶
Something you're really good at?
Making ridiculous facial expressions. Or, as my parents say, being “homozygous for the happy gene.”