One enterprising Austin Community College District graduate is taking leaps and bounds to bridge cultures through the art of dance. Aimee Keller, who earned her Associate of Arts Degree in dance just last year, is the driving force behind QiLi Dance Studio, a new Austin hotspot where Chinese dance takes center stage. The studio serves a dual purpose: it's both a beacon of Chinese traditional art and a platform for cultural education.

Since hanging up her graduation cap, Keller has become a fixture in Austin's cultural scene, recently showcasing her talents at the city's Lunar New Year Festival in February 2024. Her performances, according to the ACC Newsroom, have captivated local audiences, who are perhaps unaccustomed to the intricacies of Chinese dance.

In recognition of Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, ACC's Office of Belonging & Purpose caught up with the alumna to shine a light on her personal journey and artistic mission. "Aimee Keller, who received her Associate of Arts Degree in dance in 2023," the college stated, "founded QiLi Dance Studio to fulfill her long-standing dream of preserving and sharing the beauty of Chinese dance."

With QiLi Dance Studio, Keller is poised to make a lasting impact on Austin's cultural landscape, fostering understanding and celebration of her heritage. Through her studio, she aims not only to teach dance but to weave a narrative of Chinese culture for all who venture through its doors. As Aimee Keller herself once told ACC's Newsroom, her vision extends beyond the studio, embodying a heartfelt engagement with the community at large.