Kozakov Foundation Scholarship for Creatives in Theater, Film, or Dance

I have prided myself on being a dancer since I began dancing at the age of four. I couldn’t be more grateful for the lessons it has taught me about discipline, creativity, and passion. Dance has molded me into who I am today: artist, academic, and human. For the past fourteen years, I have pursued a highly nuanced education in dance. In reward, I’ve had the opportunity to dance on professional stages around the country (Dumbo Dance Festival, Detroit Dance Festival), attend intensives with professional dance companies (BalletBC, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Ballets Jazz Montréal, Complexions Contemporary Ballet), receive multiple recognitions (The Dance Awards top 20 senior “Best Dancers,” YAGP top 12 contemporary soloists), and help teach members of the next generation of dancers. Dance has instilled in me a sense of perfectionism, passion, and discipline, allowing me to pursue and excel in both my artistic field and in academics. Although I’ve committed a lot of effort to dance, I still have found time to participate in school work to the best of my ability, as I will now graduate in the top ten percent of my class at Kettle Moraine High School. Of course, this extreme commitment to activities I am passionate about has prepared me for my upcoming path: pursuing a BFA in dance at the prestigious New York University, my goal being graduating within three years. I’m choosing to pursue dance in a postsecondary setting, not only because I know that education is the first step towards being qualified for success, but because I cannot live without dance. How could I, when it has been a major founding factor in my identity? Naturally, I am thrilled to follow this postsecondary path and couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to do so.