More Than Just a Step

Dance is a passion that has helped me grow in many ways. It’s something I’ve loved for a long time. Dance has taught me about hard work, confidence, and how to express myself. Dancing is more than just moving to music, it’s a way I can show who I am without using words.

I first discovered dance when I was around four years old. I had joined a recreational ballet dance class at a local gym program. I was shy and didn’t really talk much back then, but once the music started playing, I knew I loved dancing. I wasn’t nervous anymore, I just danced to the song, as good as one could at four years old, of course. One of the teachers recommended that I do more classes with my parents to discover what style I really enjoyed. That fall, I took my first hip-hop class. After that, I tried jazz, modern, and contemporary dance too. Soon, I was dancing almost every day, and discovered that I was really into jazz and contemporary dance.

Dance has helped me become stronger, not just physically but mentally. When I first started, I was afraid to mess up. But over time, I learned that making mistakes is part of learning and that to improve, I had to practice a lot to get better. Sometimes I didn’t do well in competitions, and that made me feel sad, but I never quit. I kept dancing because I loved it. I learned that hard work and patience can help you improve, even if things don’t go right the first time.

As I got older, I also started helping younger kids in the studio for community hours in high school. I taught them dance steps and dance combos, helping them feel more confident. This made me realize that I enjoy teaching and helping others. I know what it feels like to be nervous in class, and I want others to feel welcome and supported. Because of this, I’ve started thinking about becoming a teacher in the future. I discovered that I really like working with little kids. Whether it’s a dance teacher or another type, dance has shown me I can instruct and connect with kids.

No matter what I do in life, I know dance will always be a part of it. It has helped me find my voice, even when I wasn’t speaking. It has helped me stay strong when things were hard, and it has helped me grow into someone who believes in themselves. Dance started as something fun, but it has become a big part of who I am. I know it will keep helping me grow in the future.