Dance has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I never questioned whether I was going to keep dancing, it was the one part of me that was never in doubt. Now as I prepare to head off to college, I know that my dance journey is going to change. I may be uncertain of how and where I will dance over the next four years, but I know that what I’ve learned after 14 years of dance will be with me wherever I go.
My coaches have been incredible mentors and influences in my life. I will never forget the impact that my high school dance team coach has had on my personal development and my perspective on being part of a team. She taught me to value the people around me, to work hard for others instead of just myself. I learned to push myself even when no one was watching because I knew that the pathway to success came from constant dedication and drive. My coach demonstrated a level of determination I’d never seen before, she never gave up on us and taught me to do the same. She stopped coaching after my junior year, but the lessons she taught me have never gone away. If anything, her absence has shown me that everything she taught is now ingrained in me, and I do my best to pass that on to my teammates as a senior dancer.
In addition to that special coach, my teammates have influenced my dance journey over the past four years. Coming into the all-star dance world after years of ballroom dancing was quite a switch. In the ballroom style, I trained one-on-one with a coach a couple of times per week. When I would compete, it was simply me on the floor, every dancer for themselves. Worst of all, I didn’t have any peers. By contrast, I remember how it felt to start classes at my current studio. The room was filled with dancers my age, constantly cheering each other on and calling out encouragement as we danced. The family-like atmosphere drew me in. I eventually joined many competition teams, training with the same dancers every day of the week. The intensity and expectations put on us were like nothing I’d experienced before, but so were the sense of community and unwavering support of my new teammates. Dancing with these girls taught me that no practice was too long, no competition too difficult, and no goal out of reach, as long as we tackled it together.
Through dance I learned that success comes when you work every day towards your goals, maintaining discipline even when you lack motivation. After years of ballroom dancing alone, I have found a place where my passion for dance is matched and where I am genuinely supported by incredible teams. We cheer out every big practice and begin every competition saying “One team, one family”, a motto that means the world to me.
My dance experience has influenced my entire high school journey. My work ethic and dedication to every aspect of my life has been drastically improved because of dance. I know that my time on these teams is quickly coming to an end, but I am also confident that the people I’ve grown to love and the lessons I’ve learned have become permanent parts of me. No matter where I go next, I find comfort in knowing that these parts of my journey will stick with me forever.
After 10 years of training, especially in the traditional South Indian classical style of Kuchipudi, dancing has had a significant impact on my identity and the person I am today. Dancing has been more than just physical movement for me; it has been a life-changing adventure of self-awareness, development, and cultural enrichment.
I was deeply influenced by my early exposure to Kuchipudi dancing, which gave me a profound respect for South India's rich cultural legacy. I acquired the unmatched ability to convey stories, themes, and emotions through delicate footwork, elegant hand gestures, and expressive expressions. Every dance performance served as a medium for me to investigate and commemorate the rich tapestry of Indian mythology, spirituality, and culture.
Beyond its cultural importance, Kuchipudi dancing has deeply ingrained in me a feeling of discipline, commitment, and persistence. Devotion to practice and many hours were necessary to master the complex choreography and subtle expressions. I developed grit, perseverance, and a never-ending pursuit of perfection via the demands of training—qualities that have benefited me well outside of the dance studio.
In addition, Kuchipudi dancing has developed an increased level of movement and emotional intelligence in me. I gain a deeper grasp of human emotions, motivations, and connections as I move to embody numerous characters and narratives. By means of artistic expression, I acquired the ability to emotionally connect, sympathize, and interact with people beyond linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Kuchipudi dancing has also greatly cultivated a sense of belonging and community in me. I made lifelong friends, experienced successes and losses together with a dynamic dance group, and relished the happiness that comes from group creativity. Through cooperative practice sessions, stage productions, and cultural gatherings, I was able to witness firsthand the ability of harmony, cooperation, and a common desire to uplift and inspire both audiences and performers.
In addition, my experience with Kuchipudi dance has given me a strong feeling of purpose and obligation to protect and advance my cultural background. I feel a great responsibility to preserve this age-old art form for future generations and make sure that its beauty and importance stand the test of time as its curator.
To put it simply, learning Kuchipudi dancing has transformed my identity, values, and objectives, making it more than merely a pastime or past time. Kuchipudi dancing has greatly improved my life by combining artistry, discipline, and cultural immersion. It has given me the ability to accept my background, develop resilience, encourage empathy, and build relationships with people. I take with me the priceless lessons and experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today as I continue on my dance journey.
