Picture a small girl with sun-kissed blonde hair pulled into a bun waddling into a dance studio in pink tights and a leotard. That small girl was me, and that studio would become my second home. It is amazing how in that small room covered in mirrors, I learned not only the art of dance, but the art of life. Somewhere among the tendus, port de bras, and adagio, I collected many valuable life lessons. Dancing, as a whole, is an experience that defines me as an artist; I believe that my creativity would add variety and diversity to the college community.
The dance community is very diverse in itself. There are many different styles, techniques, and teachers that add to becoming a well-rounded dancer. Being exposed to such varieties has put me in a very opportunistic place. Adding my experience and unique style to an already diverse association would benefit me as well as the college community. Others within the dance society would be able to assist me in extending my dance education as well as have the ability to learn from my individual style. I am very fortunate to be able to pursue my ambition of becoming a dancer. I may be a small portion of the dance community, but my particular characteristics defines me as an artist.
Dancing is one of the only things that keeps me sane. It is a creative outlet in which I can freely express myself without judgement. It is an art the requires technique, but also a certain intimacy. For me, dance is freeing. It allows me to open up and let an abundance of emotions pour into and inspire my movement. It is extremely important to me because it allows me to communicate complex feelings that I am unable to find the words to describe. Without dance, I would be utterly lost in a sea of crazy emotions with no way to embody them. It has also helped me in a very significant way as well. Suffering from depression, I feel lost and helpless on more days than not. Dance was a crutch, a strong hand helping me out of a considerably dark place. I knew I had found myself when I found dance. For example, every year my company participates in the Southeast Regional Ballet Association, a dance conference where dance companies from all over the southeast meet and take classes with teachers from different companies. It lasts for a week and on Friday and Saturday night, we have Gala Night, where the most prestigious companies perform a piece. My ballet teacher Robert Gosnell prepared a piece called Within, which is about being stuck in a very dark place and overcoming frustrations. Even though this piece was meant to be danced by the pre-professional dancers in our company, my teacher asked me to be one of the seven girls who danced it, even though I was only an apprentice. This piece is very special to me because it is so personal. It displays perfectly how hard certain obstacles in life are so difficult to overcome, which is a very important life lesson that dance has contributed to my life. At the end of the piece, the main dancer finally defeats her biggest obstacle. It is very empowering. And I think that’s what life is about, overcoming fears and frustrations to accomplish your goals.