In the Spotlight | Julia Barnes
In our mission to support Central Cass students in the arts, our “In the Spotlight” series aims to showcase alumni deserving recognition.
Julia (Kensok) Barnes | Central Cass Class of 2013
FOFA Board Member + Entrepreneur
Julia (Kensok) Barnes danced through her middle and high school years. With focus in ballet, jazz, tap and pointe under the instruction of Kathryn and Matt Gasper with Gaspers’ School of Dance and Carousel Dance Theatre and modern dance with Barb Wieland of 8th Street Studio of Dance, she loved all the different styles of dance. She had the privilege of dancing in A Christmas Carol with both Kathy and Eddie Gasper, founders of the original Red River Dance, Carousel Dance Theatre and Gaspers’ School of Dance. It was Eddie’s last dance performance. Julia joined the Moscow Ballet twice when they toured through Fargo. As a member of the Fargo-Moorhead Ballet Company, Julia danced in Firebird, Sleeping Beauty and FM Opera’s Hansel and Gretel. She also danced with annual Spooky Ballets and Nutcracker shows. Julia attended the International Music Camp for dance classes.
Sleeping Beauty | 2011
Firebird | 2010
Nutcracker | 2012
Julia’s childhood was saturated in music, dance, theatre and the visual arts. Kindermusik, Casselton Parks’ Youth Art, Penny & Pals, Lake Agassiz Girls Choir and Just 4 Kix consumed many evenings and summers. Julia performed as a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz and Fern in Charlotte’s Web at the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre.
Charlotte’s Web | 2005
Wizard of Oz | 2002
Barnes’s high school experiences in the arts involved playing clarinet in band, sewing and interior design experiences with Mrs. Grommesh’s Family Consumer Science classes and Mr. Ott’s Architectural Drafting. She danced as the fiddler and a bottle dancer in Fiddler on the Roof, and choreographed the “Bottle Dance” and “To Life.” This was a special memory for Julia. “As a 10th grader, it was thrilling to teach a bunch of football guys to dance.” As the junior and senior class president, Julia’s creativity involved planning the junior prom and creating many slideshows and video projects. Another fond memory was her clarinet ensemble starring with “An der Weg” at state competition in Minot.
“SHOW UP!” is Julia’s advice to students. “The skills you learn in the arts follow you lifelong—teamwork, creativity, adaptability and improvisation. If your career takes you away, know that you can STILL show up by joining community theatre, taking a dance or pottery class or singing or playing your instrument at a wedding. There are no rules that say you can’t take up space in something you enjoy.”
“There are no rules that say you can’t take up space in something you enjoy.”
“GIVE BACK!” is another recommendation from Julia. “It has been so rewarding coming back and using my learned skills in media to give back to Central Cass through the Friends of Fine Arts (FOFA). The students, faculty and community have been so welcoming, and my cup is so full. Witnessing the students’ eagerness to learn and be involved….there is nothing better.” In addition to choreographing the past two musicals, James & the Giant Peach and Annie, Julia extended her digital and print media knowledge to design and monitor the FOFA website and social media accounts. Anything you see on the FOFA website, social media accounts or printed, she’s had her hands on it!
After high school, Julia pursued an English degree at Minnesota State University, Moorhead. She took a gap year and worked as an au pair in Germany while taking German classes at an immersion language school. “I knew that I wasn’t happy returning to an English major, so I opened the academic options on the MSUM website and started at the top! — ’A’ Accounting (nah), Advertising… layout, photography, video production, graphic design - YEP! Sounded more like me.” She graduated with an Advertising and Graphic Communications degree in 2017.
Her favorite college memories include participating in FlyPaper - the student run advertising agency, working in both print and video for the Fargo Marathon, and competing at the National Student Advertising Competition. “I just couldn’t get enough of exploring different mediums and stretching my creativity across different platforms to create cohesive campaigns.”
Julia worked in both print & digital media before co-founding Zeitlos Studios, a wedding videography company. She continues her love of art and community through both her career and hobbies. “Weddings can be extremely fast-paced and stressful. It’s fun to have a profession that allows me to find the beauty in the day and create an artistic recap for my clients.”
Extensive international travel continues to be a passion and priority. Julia lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Tony.
Thanks for sharing your story, Julia!
“In the Spotlight” features Central Cass alum who have excelled in the arts. Do you know a squirrel deserving recognition? Nominate them here!
