College Admissions Essay: A Career As A Dancer

I have been dancing since the age of two. When asked about my career aspirations, there is no hesitation before saying “I want to be a dancer.” Being a dancer means putting all other distractions aside, and focusing on my craft. Currently, I dedicate over forty hours a week to dance, which is a schedule that requires sacrifice. When I am dancing, the rest of the world fades away, slipping out of my mind with relaxed importance. For that moment in time, I am completely free, wholly focused on my goals, letting me know dance is what I’m meant to do. With this realization comes a responsibility to myself and the work I have put into improving my craft thus far, and I know I must seek out the best opportunities for growth and continued learning.

Like almost every other 3rd grader in my elementary school, when the enrichment program came to talk about joining the orchestra and band, I was fascinated. I admired the kids, not much older than me, who could play their instruments flawlessly and effortlessly. Immediately I knew that orchestra was for me, and I rushed home with a paper in hand begging my mom to let me take lessons at my school. Originally, I wanted to play the cello and pleaded with my mom to let me play one; I loved the deep, rich sounds of the strings. Instead, my mom convinced me to play the violin, a less expensive instrument and much easier to carry around than a cello.

Soccer, football, lacrosse, and basketball, just to name a few, allowed my two older brothers to display their talents. Sticking to what they knew, my parents attempted to involve me in some sport, but it was apparent to me quite early on that I had another calling. When I was about four years old, I asked my parents if I could learn how to play the violin. The only reply I ever received at that age was a slight chuckle of doubt from my parents, whom envisioned a dusty wooden instrument being stowed away in a closet, never to be seen again after just a few lessons. So while equipped with only the rushing mind of a toddler, the notion of me learning violin was pushed to the back of my mind. It wasn’t until I was about seven years old that I

I'd like to think that I experienced my first dose of happiness at a very young age and it came to me in its most intricate form- music. Ever since then, I’ve found solace in nothing else.

I danced at Tina’s Dance Studio in Eldridge, Iowa for 12 consecutive years before I graduated high school. There I studied in ballet, pointe, contemporary, modern, lyrical, tap, jazz, hip-hop, musical theater, gymnastics and clogging. I was also a part of the competition team for eight years. We not only did local competitions and conventions, but we traveled and went to nationals in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City. I also danced in shows in Disney World and on a Carnival Cruise Ship. In high school, I was on the varsity Dance Team winning three state titles in pom and lyrical eventually traveling to Nationals. A few summers ago, I trained with Hubbard Street Dance in Chicago with their summer intensive focusing on modern, contemporary and ballet. During my senior year of high school and this past summer I taught classes in jazz, tap and contemporary for students 8-16 years old. I also self-choreographed three competition solos. Here, at Ohio University, I am a member of the dance team doing dances at football and basketball games.

My whole life has been of dirty mirrors, old ballet shoes, and ripped tights. I was 5 years old and a beginner at a dance academy. I didn’t quite know what dance was when I got in, I thought it was just a place to spend time in and just enjoy the music they played. Over the years I learned that dance is way more than just a hobby or a place to go when you are bored. It is art, you are the one making art. Your feelings are the story to your dance, and your moves are the music. People will see your pain or happiness through these ways. Dance is not just a hobby, it’s an art, it’s something that you don’t actually have to throw music at when the steps and feelings you add are the music to your dance.

At a very young age my mother asked me “do you want to do dance or gymnastics?” and I remember my reply was instantly “dance!”. From that moment forward I completely fell in love with ballet, and a couple of years ago I decided I would like to see myself grow up to become a professional ballerina.

I danced for 12 years at a professional ballet company. Five of those years, I trained under the instruction of a director named Elie. He yelled incessantly, was bad-tempered, and could make a room full of people cry faster than you would ever think possible. However, despite his shortcomings, Elie was a brilliant instructor.

Fifth grade was the year, the year everyone at Oak Ridge Elementary School looked forward to. This was the year we got to ditch the recorder, and pick up a real instrument. A violin. As expected, we learned the basics; nothing more than the names of the parts of the instrument, and how to play the open strings. But ever since that day in 2011, I have been irrevocably in love with playing the violin.

Between the ages of 6 and 12 I wanted to purse a variety of careers. I can always remember wanting to be a dancer and a singer. I believed both occupations were a strong possibility for me because I knew I had a good voice and even better dance skills. My dance teachers, as well as numerous family members, always complimented my choreography, my passion, and my skill for dance. Also, I always sang at family functions and events and I enjoyed all the compliments I received. At some point I took a liking to teaching because I loved school so much. I often played “school” by myself, as I enjoyed creating assignments.

There is no better feeling than making another person happy through my own hard work and dedication, and I have experienced that euphoric feeling as a result of my volunteer work throughout my high school career. Having participated and been a leader in many service projects and activities, I have been constantly inspired to continue my dedication to helping others. I want to make a difference in people’s lives and, in turn, be inspired by the happiness and optimism of the individuals I will encounter.

The violin is one of those instruments that one can play for years, and never truly master. However, when one has the ability to play the violin, they are able to experience so many things that a regular non-violin playing person would never experience. This next year will be my 10th year playing, and on my journey, I have had many meaningful interactions with my violin, and the people who have helped me with my violin. My most valuable experience did not just happen in the course of a day, I think my most valuable experience happened over the course of several years, which was orchestra.

I am a violinist. It has been my passion, life and soul for fourteen years of my life and I continue to strive to develop my skills on it. Playing violin from the young age of four has been my biggest boon. I grew up surrounded by musicians: my grandfather taught violin to my mother, my mother to my brother and me, and my father was a former Fulbright scholar with a DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) degree from Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.

In third grade I was introduced to an orchestra program at my school district. This program was designed for students who have no experience with the violin, viola, cello, and bass. Although I already played the piano since age five, I thought learning the violin would be a fun experience. At the time I was unaware how committed I would be to the violin, my impulsive 8 year old self was simply intrigued with stringed instruments. 10 years later, I own my very own violin and continue to improve my music skills. Why I have continued to play through all these years sometimes baffles me; What are the benefits of playing a musical instrument?

When I was about eleven years old, my parents made the decision that I should learn how to play an instrument. With that being said, they also chose the instrument that I would learn, the violin. I had absolutely no interest in learning how to play the violin, all I wanted to do was spend my spare time perfecting and improving my softball skills. I had expressed that to them time and time again but my parents obviously thought my time should be spent elsewhere considering they still proceeded to signed me up for the lessons. The following week I had begun my violin lessons.