While many artists have influenced me on my path to a career in the arts, there is one person who stands out. When I was 7 years old, I had a dance teacher, Mariah, whom I did not know would be one of the most influential people in my life 11 years later. My junior year of high school she choreographed my solo and changed the way I view my abilities as an artist. This was the solo that allowed me to see what I could do rather than what I could not. Mariah, similar to me, has strengths in story telling and virtuosity rather than competitive tricks. Thus, my solo focused on the movement quality and musicality that best told a story rather than putting in tricks for the sake of competition. This piece was an artwork, not a competitive dance. Despite that, our piece excelled at competitions. I scored higher than I ever had in past years. In the end, a plastic trophy that says "Diamond" has no value in the long run, but that year, it showed me that what I had to offer was just as valuable. This year of my life showed me that my artistry is valid regardless of other people’s work or opinions. Despite this significant discovery I made in my high school years, I struggled to maintain a sense of value in my artistry as a dancer in future years. When I first started college, I was determined to prove that I wasn’t just a dancer, that I could sing and act as well. However, issues arose when auditions came around and I tried to convince myself that I was less of a dancer than I was because I wanted a part. Eventually, I learned that this was hurting me. Not only was I trying to erase a part of my identity that had been solidified for 14 years of my life, but I also was failing to recognize the power of dance. A close friend then told me that “Dance is your superpower” and ever since I've held this truth close to my heart. Those lessons from Mariah about my individual artistry had finally rekindled. I realized that I can be anything. Just because dance is my strong suit doesn’t mean I am any less of a singer and actor than my peers. I can be a “yes and” not an “either or”. In my work, it is my responsibility to bring myself with everything I have to offer and let go of directors' views of me. Not to mention, dance has always been a part of my spirit and attempting to suppress it would only be a betrayal to myself. Interestingly and not surprising at all, my favorite experience in the arts involves a heavy dance show: Newsies. The moment in “Once and for All” where the cast walks towards the audience singing their everything out is by far my favorite. Getting to experience the feeling of your souls interlocking when multiple people are singing or dancing with the same level of passion and commitment is a pleasure that most humans don’t get to experience. Along with this incredible sensation, there is this feeling that you represent something bigger than yourself. This show exemplifies how we can honor those before us with the music we sing. Music and dance allow us to connect spiritually with those around us and pay tribute to the many artists and world changers before and after our time, thus I am most grateful that I am among the fortunate who get to pursue this passion.