NLL.com - The Official Home of the National Lacrosse League

NLL GIRL OF THE WEEK - KIRSTEN

First-year Bandette is a physical therapy major

04/13/2009

Kirsten, a rookie member of the Buffalo Bandettes Professional Dance Team, is a native of Long Island who came to Buffalo to attend college. She is a disciplined dancer that is no stranger to national championships.

Kirsten has a strong and very unique dance background which adds flair and diversity to the Buffalo Bandettes. She started taking tap and ballet lessons when she was just three years old. At age five, Kirsten began twirling baton and won her first national competition when she was only six. She returned to dancing in studio at age eight, where she stayed for 10 years studying ballet, lyrical, pointe, tap, jazz and acrobatics.

Kirsten's disciplined dance technique is a direct result of her experience on her school's kick line from 8th grade until she was a senior in high school. It is an understatement to describe Kirsten as a dedicated and successful dancer. Her kick line's impressive routines were intense and extremely visually appealing. Kirsten was captain of her kick line during her junior and senior years and led her team to win both Long Island and national championships.

Kirsten is now a freshman physical therapy major who has high career aspirations. She wants to move right into the medical field after obtaining her doctorate degree.

"I plan to start my career at a hospital and end up owning my own clinic," Kirsten said.

Kirsten's favorite thing about being a Bandette is the feeling she gets from dancing in front of such amazing fans. She says her favorite thing to do is dance, especially for the incredible Buffalo Bandits.

"Lacrosse has been a big part of my family's life since my dad and all of my cousins played throughout high school," Kirsten said. "Although my family does not live close enough to see all my games, they love being able to watch me, the Bandettes and the Bandits on nll.com."

Outside of school and dancing professionally, Kirsten is a hip-hop teacher in Western New York. She says that whenever she's having a stressful day or has a lot on her mind, dancing makes her feel better. In her spare time, Kirsten enjoys shopping, watching movies and choreographing new dances.