Catching Up With Katee Shean
Katee Shean won over audiences on “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 4 with her bright personality and seemingly effortless technique. Who can forget her “Imagine” pas de deux with Will Wingfield? Between impressive extensions and tricky lifts, Katee found moments of calm, using small steps to reveal emotion. It’s been two years since she earned the
top female spot (coming in third overall) and won $50,000! DS caught up with Katee to get her thoughts on the current crop of “SYTYCD” contestants and find out what she’s been working on.
Dance Spirit: What’s your favorite memory from your time on “So You Think You Can Dance”?
Katee Shean:
The first time Cat Deeley said my name. You watch the show on TV and then having her actually say your name is surreal.
DS: How did the show change you as a dancer?
KS:
It pushed me to know that I can do more than I think I can. Our bodies were being worked day in and day out by all the different choreographers. By the end we all grew.
DS: There have been some changes to the show’s format since you were a contestant. What do you think?
KS:
I’m really good friends with a lot of the all-stars so I’m excited for them and I’m glad I get to watch them. I think it’s cool that [the producers] are trying to switch it up.
DS: What advice do you have for this season’s dancers?
KS:
Stretch, because your bodies will be worked! Keep a positive attitude and don’t get caught up in all the competition stuff–just have fun with it. No matter when you get kicked off, being on the show, that visibility is definitely helpful for a dancer’s career.
DS: Are you rooting for anyone this season?
KS:
I love Kent! He’s such a sweetheart and I love the whole farmboy persona he has going on.
DS: What have you been up to recently? Are you still a student at Chapman University?
KS:
I took a semester off for the “SYTYCD” tour, so I have a little bit more left to go. I’m double majoring in child development and dance. I live in L.A. and I’m dancing. I went to Italy with J.Lo and recently I’ve been doing a couple spots with Miley Cyrus. I’ve also been helping Tyce [Diorio] with a lot with projects; he’s doing something on the TV show “Drop Dead Diva” and I’ll be dancing on an episode. And I did a couple episodes of “Glee.”