Despite a late introduction to ballet, Devon Carney has spent his professional life as a dancer. Working with the Boston Ballet right out of high school, he was mentored by the great Rudolf Nureyev, from whom he learned the key to being a successful performer. Today, though retired from the stage, Carney is a choreographer and artistic director for the Kansas City Ballet. Now he acts as mentor for the company, which he guides through each performance, on a mission to push their artistry and create excitement in the community for the dance that he so loves.