"Dance As Though No One Is Watching"

I was never the type of person who was amazing at painting or drawing. Sculptures and clay was never my thing either, but I always loved art and expressing myself. Since I was a little girl dance has been something that I loved to do. My mom had always told me that I learned to dance before I could walk across the room. I was a gymnast almost my entire life, but always loved to take a few dance classes here and there.

My sophomore year of high school was my last year as a gymnast due to an injury that was taking over my body. I made the best decision of my life to quit gymnastics and move on to dancing. The first week at my new dance studio was amazing and I could not understand why I never noticed that dancing was what I was made to do. Junior and senior year of high school I devoted all my time to dancing. I auditioned and made the competition team and had rehearsals everyday.

At first I danced because I loved it. My movements made me feel powerful and beautiful all at the same time. The summer going into senior year I started to take my dance experience to the next level, and began to see it as an art form. I appreciated all types of dance, especially modern and contemporary. When I took these dance classes I found that they start out very slow to teach you how important the basics are. Dance has taught me that being successful comes from within yourself and your ability to work hard at something you want to accomplish. If this meant starting from the absolute beginning, then I was prepared for it.

Senior year and freshman year of college I decided that dance was something I wanted to keep in my life. I decided to research different dance companies and clubs here on campus. I found many that have interested me, and even went to a few shows that have showed the talent here at Penn State. The dance program here at Penn State is great, and I am even looking to minor in dance. Next semester I am taking the opportunity to experience the art of dance here at Penn State. I am taking a contemporary ballet dance class, and am hoping this will influence my decision to minor in dance.