Why do I dance?
I did not think much of dancing until I was in the sixth grade when I realized I lacked a passion, and I needed to do something to pass the time. I chose dance of all activities, because I taught myself how to do the splits (only on the right side) in the fourth grade and figured that was the only skill I needed to dance (I was so wrong). I had no idea which style I should choose, but I ended up choosing ballet, because most dancers start their dancing career with ballet-- the foundation of all dance styles. After my very first class, I fell in love, and I was addicted. I worked so hard everyday after that class, practicing at home, listening to nothing but classical music and going in first position everytime I would wait in line for something. My ballet teachers were so impressed, and they decided to put me on pointe 1 year and half later! Unfortunately, I had to quit dance to focus more on academics, and eventually, I got depressed. I had no outlet to relieve my everyday stress, and it was perhaps the darkest time of my life. I knew I had to get back to it when I entered high school. I decided to choose Dance 1 over an accelerated science pathway my parents pushed me to take, and it was the best decision I have ever made. My high school dance teacher made me see dance in a whole other way and made me love dance even more. She continually pushed my classmates and I to step out of our comfort zone and try something new. I got to try jazz, lyrical, musical theatre and even hip hop! Dance is my escape from reality, and it is my reliable therapy. What I love about dance is that I don't have to say a single word to express my thoughts, my movements can do it for me. I'm able to tell a story and be anyone or anything I want to be when I dance. It just truly amazes me that in a way, dance is the universal language that everybody understands. It unites people and moves people. That's why I dance.