Dancing Through Life (Why I Dance)

Dancing through life

Mindless and careless

Make sure you're where less trouble is rife

-Dancing Through Life, Wicked

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I dance. I compete in jazz, actually. I take 4 classes a week, 3 days at the studio. 2 Ballets, 1 jazz, and a competition rehearsal.

I guess I'm kind of new to this whole "dance" thing. I mean, I danced when I was little, like I'm sure every girl in America did. I quit when I was about 7 years old. In 8th grade, I started dancing again; jazz and tap. Freshman year, I did competition team at my studio. Last year, I chose not to compete because my team friends quit as well. I missed it so much, and now I'm doing company again. The season's almost over, and I know I won't be competing senior year. Company's changed since I was last in it and it doesn't have the same excitement it used to. I'll still take classes for sure though. Why? Let's see...

Because I started dance later on in life, I was always slightly behind. I missed those key 5 years or so where girls my age really became dancers. Nonetheless, I loved dance and kept through it. Even now, I'm definitely not the best in class; but I'm definitely not the worst. There's something about dancing that simply captivates me. The way you tell a story through your body is remarkable. There's a quote I once read that said "Dancing is the language of the soul" or something like that.

One of the reasons I went back and forth with competition team is because I love competing. (Sounds simple, right?) I love the "good" nervous I get when I wait backstage before we go on. I love walking onstage when my dance is called. I love the bright lights blinding you in the eyes. I love the beginning of the music, when you look up and smile from ear to ear as the audience is watching you. I love watching the judges' expression as I dance my heart out in front of them. I love the plastered smile on my face the entire dance. I love the way all the moves come together perfectly in sync with the other dancers on that stage. I love, when the music stops and I take a small bow, the applause that erupts from the audience and judges. I love walking offstage and panting because I can't breathe. Yet, I can't stop smiling after a great performance.

It's a feeling that is so euphoric, so exhilarating, and so exhausting at the same time that you can't help but love it. When I stopped competing after my first year there, I missed that feeling so much. It's hard to describe. I still have that feeling now when I compete, but the rest of dance; the classes, the girls, the attitudes have changed and it's not the same.

Nonetheless, that's why I dance. I can't get enough of being on that stage with the lights and the smiles and the makeup. What can I say? I'm a dancer at heart. :)