I’m at home listening to the music my mom plays while she’s cleaning and I start to dance. She notices me having a full on performance, she stops to take a video and there I was 4 years old smiling, singing and dancing my heart out. This isn’t anything new to her since I’ve been dancing since I could walk; I loved everything about it. I’ve always had the natural talent for dance. My body just moved to the beat naturally but I never joined any dance team or club because I didn’t think I was good enough.
That all changed when I had a single dance class in eighth grade.
My old middle school had a program where you could attend tutoring on the weekend for upcoming exams. You would go to four short classes including electives that you could choose and study. As I opened the Google Form to choose my two electives for the day, I was surprised at the many options I had including dance, art, PE and games. Since I could only choose two, I chose art and dance.
When I arrived, I thought it was going to be something simple like the game “Just Dance,” but they were doing advanced stretching and dance moves. Experienced dancers were everywhere practicing normally. Despite being an inexperienced dancer, I actually did well and the coach complimented me many times. I enjoyed it even though I broke a sweat and maybe a few other things, I couldn’t wait to choose dance again the next day.
After a few days of being in dance class the coach told me about an audition to be in a dance class the following year, and I wanted to do it but I didn’t know if I was going to be able to make it because of my lack of experience so I declined. One day, she came to my classroom…not necessarily for me, but the girls who were in dance class and were going to audition to be in dance the following year. When she saw me, she insisted I practice for the audition. I said no at first, but since I knew a few girls in dance class, they convinced me to join. I followed them to the dance room and learned the dance everyone else already knew. I was behind, but I wouldn’t be hurt if I didn’t get accepted.
I was called during class to go to the dance room; it was audition day, and I was so nervous but I powered through, knowing it was OK if I didn’t make it. Seeing the other dancers made me even more nervous than I already was. When my turn came around I began dancing and it was like something took over and forced me to dance my best; when I noticed it, I got in my head and messed up the last part. It left me disappointed, and I thought I wasn’t going to get accepted.
A few days passed and they announced who made the team on the announcements. When I heard them call my name I was so surprised and wasn’t expecting it. I was impressed with myself since only a few girls made the team.
My first day of high school came around. I met the dance teacher and she was so nice and welcoming. She then explained the rules: no jewelry while performing/practicing, wear all black attire, no hair in face, saying yes ma’am, and so many more; and if you didn’t follow those rules you would get what’s called a demerit which are points that count toward your grade and in that class or you would be kicked out. At first I thought it would be hard for me to make friends in dance, but there never was an awkward moment. A few people knew each other already and as time progressed we all formed a bond, since we spent so much time together at practice, trips and performances. What I loved most about my teammates was they were so supportive during practice. If we were learning a new dance we would cheer each other on and try to help so no one felt uncomfortable. It was like having a group of sisters you could share memories and dance with.
Months of practice had passed and we were about to perform at our first pep rally in front of the entire school. We show up on the basketball court in our sparkling green dresses, dance tights, white shoes, slick backed half up half down and red lipstick. The music starts and we start to dance and the crowd starts to cheer, giving us confidence. The music stopped. We did it. I was so proud of myself and everyone else for having a great first performance.
Our next performance: a parade. We walk around the town and dance to the music the band plays behind us. It was freezing, but we still had to wear our short sparkly green dress and smile through the pain. It was so fun to walk around the town and neighborhoods to see people watching with their kids and the excitement on their faces. And this is why we dance. We do it to make people happy and feel energized even when we don’t. Seeing others enjoying our performances gives us joy and enthusiasm to give it our all each time.
After one of my dance showcases I had met the middle school dance teacher who convinced me to join dance. She said when she saw my performance she said she knew I was meant to be in dance. I gave her a big hug and thanked her for that small gesture she did for me years ago that made me who I was today. She truly inspired me to try new things even when they seem like something I wouldn’t normally do.
Our winter show was coming up and I had been notified that I was going to be moving soon. I wasn’t able to perform in the winter showcase because I had moved. I was pulled out a month before the last day of school and began attending a new school where I had to take the rest of my exams and finish off my classes. I could go on and on about dance, and though I only took it for two years, I feel like I’ve taken it for a lifetime. The memories and friendships I’ve made in dance have been like no other. I really felt a sense of belonging. It made me confident in myself in many ways, and I was so devastated to leave it all behind. As much as I love dance, I chose not to do it in my new school because I feel guilty for being on another team other than my initial crew. Maybe one day I’ll choose to try out for another dance team, but for now I’ll reminisce about the old times.
