"Dancing; the only activity in which you are able to lose yourself, yet find yourself at the same time." - Katy Hood
I started dancing when I was three. I began with a tap and a ballet combo class, like most girls. I remember the first dance studio I danced in a little bit but I think that is mostly due to the old pictures I see, and videos of my first dance teacher, named Sandy. She would record our dances for us to practice on the TV back in the days of VHS. (By the way when I say, "WE" I do mean my sister, Hailey, who is not the best dancer. She did try it out for a year though. The family was more entertained by her hilarious dance moves than by my extreme grace for that ENTIRE year. So glad she didn't have to take my shining glory for any longer ;)) Anyway, the first studio WE danced at was called, Starlight Dance Studio....or Productions.... or something like that...
I always wanted to be a serious dancer and would dance for hours on end wherever I could. I still do. I danced in stores, in the back yard, in the basement, and my very favorite dancing spot - my kitchen. You will still find me turning and dancing between our couches in the family room and the kitchen island - what a perfect strip of hardwood flooring for my dance practice. I even had my dad rip out the carpet in my bedroom to put hardwood floors in for me to dance better on.
I started "teaching" dance when I was ten. My childhood best friend and I made fliers for KB (Katy & Brooke) Dance Studio and passed them around the neighborhood. I have to say we actually had a huge turn up for ten year old's. About 12 girls showed up every week and they each paid $2 for the hour and we would teach them dances. I think the parents loved it because it was an hour of cheap babysitting ha ha. In the end we raised about $200 dollars and donated it to Shriner's Hospital.
After my first dance studio I danced at a few other places. Some were good (Salt City Stars), and some were terrible (Dance By Dee). The studio that changed me the most was the last studio I danced at, for about two years. Local Motion. I was put on a very high scoring team and the next dance year I was named captain with my now best friend, Makenzi Zent. We were really good and it was then that I knew I couldn't live without dancing. My parents realized that I was for real and they actually supported me spending all day at competitions and dancing 5+ hours a day practicing. (At first my dad was completely against competitive dancing).
In high school I was pretty blessed to go to thee greatest school on earth, Bingham High School. Okay - I was not the girl that loved high school or had any school pride (because I was always TOO cool) but I have to admit it feels good to say I went there of all places. I was on Dance Company sophomore-senior year and it was an insane opportunity. Some of my hardest moments took place, but my very best memories also take place in those three years of BHDC. My favorite lessons learned though were realizing how beautiful dancing really is; the lights, costumes, choreography, music cues, and little back stage moments are what make it all worth it. Before Dance Company I saw dancing as one dimensional and Dance Co taught me how to see it in a 3D sense. Noticing those moments and details are what made me decide I had to have dance in my life full time - I wanted so badly to be a dance company coach... I still really badly want that.
BHDC also handed me thee very best friends I could imagine; Anna Gallegos, JaNelle Groves, Emi Hamilton, Bri Sorenson, Megan Jolly, Cassie Stevens, Omar Alverez and more.
After high school I went on to dance for USU - Eastern (Which is also known as College of Eastern Utah). I had the opportunity to dance for the first time with my best cousin, Rocki, and I was takin it! And boy I'm sure glad I did. I watched myself improve leaps and bounds and I wanted to push myself like never before. I told myself I would have a solo in the spring concert - and I did. I met new talented friends and learned different styles and ways of dancing. I got to have a technique class every day and I basically lived in the dance room there. It was bliss. I clicked instantly with two dancers; Demetria Campbell and Shayla Winder who I would say are two of my closest friends now. After dancing in college I know that continuing an education in dance is possible and I am going to do it. I need to do it. I can't wait to get started.
Today I teach dance three hours a week and absolutely love it. Choreography is my way to say how I feel. I can tell my dancers see and respect that as well. They are doing a great job at picking up my style but at the same time it's something none of them have ever done. I also take a class once a week - it's great but it's certainly not like dancing the 5+ hours a day that I'm used to.
Dancing has created me into who I am today. I was thinking to myself, "Who would I be if I weren't a dancer?" I have to thank my parents for that. They have spent THOUSANDS apon THOUSANDS of dollars to keep me in dance. They sold vehicles, and furniture, and picked up extra shifts at work...just to pay costume fees, solo fees, or to send me to L.A.. Dancing can get expensive and it was another bill they had to pay every month just for me. I am so thankful they kept me in it because without it I wouldn't have some of the best memories of my life. I would not be me.
Dancing has been a blessing in my life. Because of dancing I was able to get college scholarships, perform at college basketball games, have a solo in a college dance production. These are things a lot of people can't say they've done in their life. (I'm also thankful dancing keeps me in shape and flexible ;)).
Long story short. Dancing has given me a lot; friends, family, stress relief, passion, creativity, drive, courage, memories, and has even taught me life lessons I will never forget.
Dancing is where I go when I want to find myself.
Dancing is where I go when I want to lose myself.
