Stepping off the stage after my final performance with Nashville Ballet’s Second Company, I felt both proud and unsettled. I had just lived my dream of dancing professionally, yet I kept thinking about all the dancers around me who were struggling to be heard, fairly paid, and supported. That moment made me realize I don’t just want to be a dancer. I want to be a voice for dancers. My biggest goals are to grow into a stronger, more versatile dancer and to become an advocate who helps other dancers find their voices in the professional world. After dancing with Nashville Ballet’s Second Company (NBII), I know how rewarding dance can be, but I also see how difficult it is for many artists to navigate contracts, mental health challenges, and career uncertainty. I want to excel as a performer while using my education to create real change. My plan is to double major in Dance and Government in college, then attend law school or work in arts policy so I can combine my love for dance with practical advocacy skills. In the next four years, I will focus on building my technique and knowledge. In my Dance major, I plan to take intensive classes in classical ballet, contemporary, and modern styles. I want to improve my ballet skills by exploring new ways of moving and learning different choreography approaches. At the same time, my Government classes will teach me about policy, labor rights, and how laws affect artists. I will balance my schedule by taking around 15 credits each semester and use my summers for dance intensives or internships with arts organizations. By my junior year, I hope to get involved in research projects about dancer rights or even start a student group focused on arts advocacy. To make this happen, I will need strong university programs with good dance facilities, experienced teachers, and opportunities to perform. I also need access to policy courses that include real-world internships. Mentorship from professors in both departments will be very important. On the financial side, attending a public university in Texas will cost roughly $25,000 to $35,000 per year for tuition, housing, meals, and dance supplies. Over four years, that adds up to about $100,000 to $140,000. I plan to apply for as many scholarships as possible, use federal grants, and work part-time on campus, like teaching dance classes or helping with research. My goal is to keep my student loans as low as possible, ideally under $30,000 total. If money becomes tight, I am willing to start at community college for a year and then transfer. After college, I plan to go to law school or pursue a graduate degree in arts administration. Within ten years, I hope to work with dance companies, nonprofits, or in government roles to improve conditions for dancers. There are different paths I can take. If I stay focused on performance, I can still advocate from inside companies. If injuries happen, I can shift more toward policy work. I am also thinking about backup plans, like building a strong network through alumni connections and attending arts conferences. I know this plan requires careful timing, hard work, and flexibility. I am young and excited about the future, but I am also realistic about the challenges. With the right resources and support, especially through scholarships, I will be able to focus on my training and studies without too much financial stress. This education will help me grow as a dancer and give me the tools to support my dance community for years to come.

My journey in dance has been one of discipline, discovery, and determination. As a professional dancer with Nashville Ballet’s official Second Company (NBII), I have performed at a high level and experienced both the beauty and the challenges of the professional dance world. This foundation has shaped my vision: I aspire not only to grow as an artist but also to become an advocate who empowers dancers to find and use their voices. Through a double major in Government and Dance, I will merge artistic excellence with policy and advocacy tools, creating meaningful change in an industry that often leaves artists vulnerable. Scholarship support for my college education is essential to making this vision a reality. In college, I intend to deepen my technical and artistic range. While I have strong classical ballet training from my time at NBII, I am eager to explore new movement qualities and choreographic methods that expand my versatility. I plan to immerse myself in contemporary and modern techniques, which will challenge my artistry and help me become a more dynamic, expressive performer and collaborator. A structured dance degree will provide access to world-class faculty, intensive training, performance opportunities, and resources that are difficult to obtain independently. This comprehensive education will refine my skills, enhance my understanding of dance history and theory, and prepare me to navigate the professional landscape with greater confidence and adaptability. Beyond personal growth, my goals extend to advocacy and community impact. The dance world frequently struggles with issues such as unfair contracts, lack of mental health support, diversity barriers, and limited career sustainability. Drawing on my Government studies, I will learn about policy development, labor rights, and legal frameworks to advocate effectively for dancers. My long-term ambition is to bridge the arts and policy sectors through a deeper understanding of arts administration, nonprofit leadership, and legislation that protects artists. I want to help my peers articulate their needs, negotiate better conditions, and build sustainable careers, just as I wish someone had done more visibly during my early professional experiences. Scholarship funding would alleviate significant financial burdens, allowing me to fully commit to both majors without compromising my training intensity or taking on excessive work hours. It would provide the freedom to focus on rigorous studio work, academic excellence, choreography projects, and advocacy initiatives on campus. By investing in my education, donors would support not just one dancer’s growth but the development of a future advocate dedicated to strengthening the entire dance community. Ultimately, I seek to elevate the dance world from within by becoming a more skilled, thoughtful artist while fighting for systemic improvements. With scholarship support, I can pursue this dual path with focus and purpose, transforming my passion into a lasting force for artistic excellence and equity.