When the Music Takes Over

As I calmed down and stepped onto stage, I realized it was a lot different performing in a studio than when you’re competing. Let me give you some context. I joined a dance team a year ago, and that was my first time performing at a competition. While the rest of my teammates were freaking out, I was standing there watching the rest of the performers on stage, and it was so beautiful. The way their bodies moved beautifully as if they were a ghost floating across stage. I saw the way their eyes shined full of stars, and I knew they belonged there. I wanted to ask them what they were feeling and why they chose that song and how they knew it was right for them. But soon enough, it was my turn to be on stage.

As I stepped onto the stage, I saw the judges staring at me, cold, stern, and mean. How did the previous dancers dance so full of grace under these harsh conditions? I shook off my nerves and pushed away my doubts as I waited for the music to begin. As I danced, I noticed something about my teammates. A few minutes ago, they were freaking out, but once on stage, they changed. It was like something flicked on. As we were dancing, I could feel them connecting to each other and moving not as many but as one.

It seemed just moments ago we had stepped on stage, and the next thing I knew, we were bowing to the judges and leaving. Immediately after we stepped down, my friends returned to their scared and normal selves. It was as if the people on stage didn’t exist anymore, like it never happened.

Once, I inquired what was going on. One of my teammates smiled with a far away look in her eye “it doesn’t matter how scared you are or that you forgot the moves. Follow the music, and it will guide you.” And I held these words so close to me, so that maybe I would become one with them on stage. It never failed to amaze me how people my age were able to do extraordinary things simply because they believed they were made for it.

Dancing is not what the dancer is wearing or what the dancers is even doing, it’s the passion and the love of the art they are making. The world is their canvas, and they are called to make it beautiful and filled with life. So perhaps I will be part of that one day, when I learn to be just like them and fill the world with colors.