Sometimes in life, we all need to find something that makes us happy. A place where we can be ourselves and express our needs. The great American modern dancer and choreographer Martha Graham once quoted, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” That is what Alderwood Dance Spectrum did for me. Starting at the age of three dancing in my Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini and growing up to be Alice as the lead in Alice in Wonderland ballet. Alderwood Dance Spectrum was the place for me where I could express my passion and be who I truly wanted to be. Dance has always been there for me. Since I was three years old, I have been putting on my tights and leotard and heading over to the studio. It was always something to look forward to during my school day. No matter what went on in my life, dance was always there to make the bad days better. Dance creates unbreakable bonds. That is something that cannot be repaid. I am beyond grateful for the amazing people I have met through my years in dance at Alderwood Dance Spectrum. The people I met and became best friends with became my family, or as I saw it, my dance family. Dance is a gift that brings people together with creativity and music. To me, dance is joyous and brings unity with that happiness.
Dance made me a stronger person by not being afraid of what I wanted to be. When it came to dancing, each class I took allowed me to build on who I was as an individual. Dance contributed to my confidence and made me believe in myself. I acquired the determination to do my best each time which I was able to strive in everything outside of dance as a result. The feeling of a sense of achievement and satisfaction that followed each successful performance influenced other life aspects positively. As my journey went along, just like Alice made her journey through Wonderland, I ended up leaving for college for four years and another three years of graduate school. In the end, I came out with a clinical doctorate in Audiology. Just like dance, the key to success is pure passion. I have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to dancing at Alderwood Dance Spectrum and for that, I am forever grateful. To the ones that still believe in their dreams, chase them. Chase them until you’re out of breath. Then, keep dancing.
