All her life, 23-year-old Khalia Campbell was made to dance.

Born and raised in the Bronx, Campbell is now part of the prestigious Alvin Ailey Dance Theater’s second company, Ailey II.

Campbell attended LaGuardia High School and from there she went on to the Dance Theater of Harlem before she eventually got her spot at the Ailey School.

She says the opportunity to be in the Ailey II dance company has spun her life around.

"Of course ups and downs, but that's the beauty of being in the company. You learn from your mistakes and you grow. It's a growing process," says Campbell.

After traveling to Europe, the Bahamas and Hawaii, Campbell will bring her talents back to her home city for Ailey II's New York City season. 

Campbell says her performances remind her of why she worked so hard to be where she is.
"I hear people say you're from the hood, you're not going to make it….. I'm the little girl from the hood and I made it," she says.