Dance : My Passion For Dance In My Life

The first time I realized I wanted to specialize in medicine was when my father took me to the fire station when I was around the age of fourteen. He began to show me images of different cases and trauma scenes they had participated in. Since then, I have constantly asked my dad questions about different calls and scenarios about patients he has rescued. By having a father in the medical field and continuing to take science and medical courses throughout high school, I began to learn more about medicine throughout the years. Deciding to partake in these courses further advanced my understanding in medicine. These courses helped it become clear to me that the medical field is something I continuously

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.

Outside of medicine, I spend my leisure time dancing and choreographing. My love for dance and music stems from my early childhood. I recall listening to Disney songs and “choreographing” dance moves – moves that appeared as uncoordinated, but exquisite loose wiggles. As a result of my parents’ high expectations and strict upbringing, dance was an important activity because it served as a safe haven away from the stress and pressure I felt as a child. Dancing was, and is still, my source of joy and amusement.

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.

I have participated in many different activities and sports over the years, but the one that has stuck with me the most is dance. I started dancing when I was only seven years old, and went on to join a competitive dance team for four years. Dancing has given me many opportunities, such as being part of a team, performing, competing, and the chance to express myself through movement. Participating in dance for so many years gave me the chance to volunteer as an assistant to some of the younger dancers at my dance school, which allowed me to gain leadership skills such as communication and commitment, as well gain teaching experience. At my middle school last year, I was a co-president of the student council, and my job was to lead weekly meetings with the younger students at my school, also contributing to my leadership background.

Those girls were a division higher than my team; so, as I watched their arms gracefully swing from side to side; their legs kicking into the air in a beautiful battement; and, the nearly flawless transitions, I wondered how much hard work and how many rehearsal hours they put in to achieve those movements with such ease. The spotlight highlighting their every move had me in awe. The song slowly started to fade out and the loud, obnoxious thumping in my chest resurfaced. With shaky legs and uneven breathing I hesitantly made my way onto the stage and got into position. Looking into the crowd, I could see hundreds of faces staring back at me; some familiar, some I had never seen in my life. This gave me a feeling of nostalgia taking me back to that first day of dance class when all eyes were on me. I could not hear anything around me except my heartbeat in my chest. I remembered how aesthetically pleasing the dancers prior presented themselves on stage and told myself to get it together. I had to give it my all and not let my team down, but most importantly I could not let myself down. I looked at my friend, who posed just to the left of me, for reassurance and she gave me such a genuine smile. I could see it in her eyes that she believed in me. I looked at my surrounding and thought “This is what I’ve been working towards. This is where I want to be.” All the negative thoughts that previously invaded my mind faded. My breathing began to even out as the lights dim signaling that the song would start any

My whole life I have wanted to fulfill my goal of becoming a doctor. I have worked hard to immerse myself in anything vastly medical related such as volunteering at my local hospital, joining a teen health careers club, and shadowing doctors and nurses. All of these things, I believe, have allowed me to broaden my knowledge on passion for medicine. In addition, I

I remember being four years old in my preschool class and a little boy coming in one day with a bandage over his ear, because his ear drum had ruptured. I just remember having this overwhelming feeling to make sure that he was okay. So much so that during nap time, I made sure that my nap pad was right next to his, just so that I could make sure that he wasn’t hurting or in pain. Since that instance, I have always been a person that has been compelled to help people. It’s a part of my internal genetic code. The older I became, the more I realized that going into the field of medicine was easily my best platform to be in a position to help people. When I think about being a doctor, I get filled with an overpowering feeling of excitement. I get to be the person that someone trusts with their care, a person that someone trusts to treat their ailments with respect, a person that can use their mind

Two decades and many existential crises later, one single aspect of my life has pulled me through: that passion I experienced as a child. I have questioned the source of this motivation more than once, and have sought out to put myself in all possible situations that would predict how I would feel later in my life as a doctor to make sure this passion was not mere infatuation.

My personal aesthetic in the terms of dance extends far beyond mentioning what I like and what I dislike. It unfolds the layers of my personality, my style, and my past experiences. I tend to think of aesthetics in the form of a jigsaw puzzle. Within a puzzle there are hundreds of important pieces that fit together to make a grand image and each puzzle piece requires a process of development and self-discovery. My aesthetic puzzle pieces include confidence, vulnerability, dynamic, high energy, illusion, and emotional connection. Most of my aesthetic is initiated by personal preference or a significant event in my life, but I will start with the foundation of my dance training first. I was raised in the dance studio where I regularly practiced ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, and contemporary. I was blessed to have the opportunity to explore multiple genres of dance at a young age and as a result of this, I began my aesthetic development with a very versatile palette of movements and interpretations.

Growing up I knew that I wanted to study science and explore the human body with the goal of helping people. With exploration of career options later in middle school, I realized that medicine was the path for me. My parents did not achieve Bachelor degrees and while I knew logically that they would support me, I did not have the confidence to pursue such a big dream. In high school, I became more and more involved and worked outrageously

Upon the genesis of my medical passion; at the age of seven, I somehow thought it was possible to also be an astronaut, a firefighter, a lawyer, a teacher, a fashion designer, a singer, etc. I thought I wanted it all but my heart never changed. Throughout high school I kept an open mind as a way of making sure I could hold on to this lifelong commitment that is a career in medicine. While exploring my other interests and desires, I was reminded of the reason why I was pursuing medicine, the heart behind it all. It is my first love.

Growing up, I wanted nothing to do at all with anything medical. I thought blood was disgusting, even tiny little paper cuts completely grossed me out. Instead, I wanted to be a teacher, more specifically, a kindergarten or first grade teacher. When my little sister and I played school I was always the teacher. I was determined that no matter what, I was going to be a teacher. During a seventh grade biology class, I became fascinated with the human body. I thought it was amazing how all the little bits and pieces of the body work together. That biology class changed my

Dance has been a natural movement form since the beginning of time. The origin of dance is unknown, just as the knowledge of the benefits of dance are unknown to many in our society. Many people do not enjoy dancing and also do not fully understand the positive benefits that come from dancing. Researchers such as Edwards, Duberg, and many more have found countless mental and emotional benefits of dance that originate from movement patterns, brain connections, and even expressions of emotion. Many are aware of the physical benefits of dance, but beyond the physical benefits of dance, there are also emotional and mental benefits that come from dance as well.

“People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.” Zig Ziglar I was honestly about to quit dance and drop everything, I had lost passion for everything, till I heard the amazing new from Dr.Kirkland That was a real life changing moment, This was such a life changing moment. This was such a boost in my life… it opened my eyes and my passion for dance started to come back. I think from this is sometimes a person needs a little push in their life to start up the engine that has extinguished and start doing what you love. Everyone tried to push me and say “ why are you quitting? You’re such an amazing dancer!” or “ Don’t quit now… You have done so much” but that never really pushed me to continue to dance… It just made me think harder and ponder about my choices in quitting dance, but what pushed me the most was when Dr.Kirkland had said “ My dance instructor told me that you don't meet your students at the bottom… you make your students meet you to your high expectations.” That really pushed me and made me strive to meet Dr.Kirkland's high expectations and made me keep dancing.