About Me!
Rylee grew up in the suburban town of Mansfield, Texas. She began dancing at the age of 2 at Stagedoor Dance Centre, training in ballet and tap. As she got older, she broadened her toolkit by adding training in jazz, hip-hop, lyrical/contemporary, and musical theatre. She joined the competition team at the age of nine and competed until her senior year of high school. After 15 years of devoted training at Stagedoor Dance Centre, she took her final bow among friends and teachers who helped shape her into the woman she is today.
Where it all started!
Rylee knew from a young age that she wanted to dance in college. When hearing about OCU through her teacher, Sarah Miller, she went to the July 2019 Broadway Bound and fell in love with OCU’s dance program. She has gotten to take classes in ballet, tap, jazz, and rhythm tap, while performing in Star Dance Company in the “Holiday Spectacular” and “MOVE!” and the Star Dance Company Rep Company. Rylee is working towards her Bachelor of Science in Dance and Arts Management. This program equipped Rylee to be a versatile performer and arts manager, giving opportunities and classes about the management side of the entertainment industry. Rylee has completed courses such as Non-Profit for the Arts, Media Relations and Event Management, Professional Event and Convention Planning, Arts Production, and is currently completing Dance Studio Management, Stage Management, and Development and Fundraising. Rylee has also gained hands-on management experience alongside her coursework. For more details on her credentials, refer to her arts management portfolio.
Oklahoma City University
Rylee found a new passion for arts management during her first year of OCU, getting opportunities to take classes like Costume Lab and Arts Management and Production 1. With the guidance of her advisors, and especially her former teacher, Sarah Miller, she decided to continue her education and hone her skills in arts management. Some positions she has held while being a part of the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment are Moving Light Board Assistant, Technical Director’s Assistant, and Assistant Stage Manager. Rylee also works in the dance school’s production room as a Production Room Assistant. In this job, Rylee helps create props for the shows and helps keep inventory of all lighting and sound equipment.
Arts Management!
Growing up with only an older brother, Rylee wanted to find a community to call her sisters. After going through formal recruitment, Rylee ran home to Phi Mu Epsilon Epsilon. She has learned to be a better leader and person through Phi Mu’s ideals of love, honor, and truth. Within Phi Mu, Rylee has held the role of Property Chairwoman and is currently on the Executive Board serving as Director of Harm Reduction and Prevention. Rylee is grateful for the amazing women she has met while being in Phi Mu, and holds dear to her heart Phi Mu’s philanthropic focus on Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Phi Mu has also allowed many opportunities for volunteering and service work in the OKC community.
