Dance

Since I was in 4th grade, dance has been my life.  Everyday after school I couldn't wait to put on my leotard or jazz shoes and go to dance.  It was/ is my outlet.  I absolutely love that I can express all of my emotions through movement and music, and just let the world disappear.  I wish that I could dance and perform for the rest of my life, but I am aware that as I get older that might not always be an option.  That is why I have decided that I want to be able to specialize in training for dancers so that I can still involve dance in my life.

MY DANCE EXPERIENCE:

From 1st grade to 3rd grade I did gymnastics competitively and was practicing around 30 hours a week.  This is where I gained my flexibility and a lot of discipline.

In 4th and 5th grade I danced at "The Dance Factory" on one of the competitive teams. It was also my first year being a part of Ballet West's "The Nutcracker".  I was a buffoon, and I loved it!  Being able to ride underneath the huge dress was so thrilling!  I was also absolutely terrified of Miss Banae.  She had me do a combination in front of all of the girls a hundred times because I wasn't doing it right in the dance.  So scary haha.

In 6th grade I concentrated mostly on ballet and jazz, taking a break from the whole competing thing.  I danced at "Creative Arts Academy" and this is where I really began to LOVE dancing, and worked hard to improve my technique.

Throughout Jr. High I participated in my studio's end of year recitals, "Summerfest" and continued to participate in "The Nutcracker" as a "blue soldier", a "red soldier" and finally a "oriental servant".  I absolutely loved being a part of such an amazing ballet, and sometimes wish I could go back!

My sophomore year in high school I tried out for the drill team and was thrilled when I made it.  I have never experienced so much drive, determination, discipline, and desire in my life.  It changed my life, and I will forever be grateful to my coach Jan Whittaker.  I was fortunate enough to do drill all three years of high school, my senior year being the president of the team.  We took the state championship title all three years, and my senior year we walked away with a perfect season.  It has definitely been one of the most rewarding things in my life.  I am so glad I was able to experience drill the way I did. 
All the while I was doing drill, I was also going to ballet at Creative Arts Academy 3-4 times a week.  My junior and senior year I was the lead role in the end of year ballet recital.  My junior year we put on the ballet "Swan Lake" and I shared the lead roles of Odette and Odile with my best friend.  My senior year we put on "Romeo and Juliet" and I received the role of Juliet.  

Before my freshman year of college I tried out for Utah State University's Spirit Squad as an Aggiette.  I couldn't have been more excited when I made it. I was on a college dance team!  I got to dance at football games, mens and womens basketball games, volleyball games, pep rallies and more.  I loved performing in front of thousands of people - it is my happy place. For many reasons I decided not to try out again my second year, and I planned on doing the dance company instead.  Well an unexpected turn around occurred and two weeks before the new Spirit Squad team was supposed to start practice I got a call from my coach asking me to come back and be on the team again.  I was very hesitant at first, but in the end I decided to give it one more go and I can't wait for what this year will bring.  My coach also requested that I train the team as well, so now every morning I am training both the cheerleaders and the dancers. I am absolutely loving it and will be posting our workout here!