From a young age, my parents knew that sports like soccer, lacrosse, or softball were not really for me. So, my parents decided to put my best friend Stephanie and I into dances classes together at Meg Segreto’s in Florida (when we were 5). Stephanie eventually grew out of dance and started to do gymnastics, cheer, and karate. But, for some reason I stuck with it.
My first studio was VERY strict. If you did not have brand new pink tights for recital you were called out in front of everyone else. Even though this scared me slightly, it taught me how important it is to look your best no matter what. As I got older, every day to class we had to wear a designated leotard color based on your level of advancement, have a certain style of dance shoes and have your hair in a slicked bun. This eventually overwhelmed me and my parents and I switched studios.
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My next studio (shout out to Dance Dimensions) was a lot more relaxed. We were allowed to wear any leotard to class and the teachers were friendly. Dance Dimensions had an awesome partnership with CBT (Children’s Ballet Theatre) and put on productions every year. My favorite was Copellea, where I got to play one of the little children. Dance Dimensions taught me to never give up on my dreams and how important connections in your industry are.
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I then moved to Colorado going into Middle School and flip-flopped back and forth between SCB (Springs City Ballet) and Sundance Studios. Both studios taught me a lot. At SCB, I got to take pointe (by far my favorite type of dance) and really gain back fundamental technique that I had lost over the years. At Sundance, a lot of girls from my hometown also danced here so I always felt very intimidated and like I wasn’t good enough to dance with the others. But, I had an amazing teacher (shout out to Sarah!) who helped find myself as a dancer and why we should never give up on ourselves no matter what (during this time I struggled with body issues like not being tall or skinny enough for the ballet industry). SCB taught me to never be embarrassed by who I am or what I’m doing with my life. Like I said, I took a lot of fundamental classes since I took a small break from dance that consequently lost me a lot of my technique. I was sometimes 15 dancing with 10-year-olds to get back the basics that I had forgotten. I was embarrassed but pushed through.
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Once I started high school, I joined the poms team (shout out to Lindsey for always being there for me and always working to make me the best version of myself). We went through many coaches over my four years, but each one taught me a valuable lesson. The most valuable lesson I learned was to stick up for myself and never forget to have fun!!! My senior year of HS I was offered the most amazing opportunity to dance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I took the opportunity and ran with it. I had the most amazing week of my life and I will never forget it.
Once college rolled around, it was very hard for me to stay involved in dance. I miss it dearly and do my best to keep up with the PRHS Golden Bears. I have taken a few dance classes in college and it makes me so happy. Dance is meant to help you find yourself and can be there for you no matter what is going on in your life.Â