The Dance Journey: From Childhood to Professional Aspiration

The Dance Journey: From Childhood to Professional Aspiration

Dance is often described as the language of the soul; this is the case for my own. For many, the journey of dance begins in childhood, with an innocent twirl in the living room or a first ballet class that sets the stage for a lifelong passion. As little dancers mature, many leave their time in the studio to the past. Meanwhile for me, my path was always towards the professional world as both a challenge and a dream — one that requires dedication, resilience, and a deep love for the art form.

This post will explore the evolution of my dancer’s journey, from the first steps as a child to the next steps in professional career in dance.

The Spark of Interest: Childhood Beginnings

For many dancers, the journey begins with a spark — a fascination with movement, music, or the sheer joy of dancing. Childhood is often the time when many first experience the magic of dance. Whether it is a parent noticing a child’s natural rhythm or a little one expressing a need to move, this early connection to dance can be the beginning for a lifelong passion.

When looking back on my journey through dance and where this devotion was set in motion. My youngest memory falling in love with dance started when I experienced my very first ballet. I was about seven and my mother took me to see the Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker. I remember being in awe of the lights, costuming, music, and every movement by the performers. Through out the entire performance my mom would have to keep shushing me as I would repeatedly say “I love that,” anytime something caught my eye. That was everything.

 As I have began transitioning into the start of my professional career, I wanted to take a deeper look into my story and journey from dance. When looking at the very beginning, who better to ask then my mother? Before seeing the performance, I had already been in dance classes for a few years. She had put me in my very first dance class as soon as I was old enough, so about two years old. I had asked what led her to sign me up for the first classes.

“Basically, you loved watching others dance, loved music, and was always dancing with the Wiggles. Figured you might enjoy it. Guess I got that one correct!”

She absolutely was right. Little did she know that my first dance class would lead to another 17 years. At this stage, the focus is typically on fun and exploration. Dance classes for young children usually emphasize developing basic motor skills, rhythm, and coordination which came easily to me. Ballet and tap were the styles introduced to me at an early age. Ballet is not only for the fundamentals of dancers but has been a constant for me to this day. For most children, dance is a way to express themselves creatively, make new friends, and enjoy physical activity. The sheer joy of movement fuels their desire to continue.

From Passion to Purpose

As the years pass, the dancer’s path becomes more structured and where dance became my life’s work. Little me had big dreams to be a Prima Ballerina, as any little girl would. As I continued to grow up and mature, this career choice adapted to many things but never shifted far form the dance world. Around the ages of 7-10, students often begin to focus more on technique. The teacher’s role shifts from guiding simple movements to instilling the discipline and foundations needed for more advanced dance forms. These early years of training can be pivotal, setting the tone for a dancer’s entire journey.

However, moving from studio to studio made consistent and serious technical training difficult. Financial constraints in a rural area meant that opportunities for high-level instruction were limited. Each time I would transition to different studios, I found myself starting over, searching for new teachers, and adjusting to different environments. Despite these obstacles, my passion for dance never faltered and I still learned amazing skills and lessons. One of the biggest lessons I had learned that with this inconsistency was how I had to advocate for my own training.

With having many teachers, I experienced a range of teaching styles that as I move forward in my passion for creating and teaching, I know what I like and what is less applicable to my future. Besides the pedagogical lessons, having a range of teachers I have become a more adaptable dancer. No matter the reason I switched studios and teachers, I have an immense amount of appreciation to my mother for doing everything she could to support my passion and keep me dancing. It was clear that no matter the hurdles, dance would always be my path forward, the one constant in an ever-changing world.

Defining the Path Forward

For dancers who show potential and have the passion, the teenage years are often the point at which they must begin making more serious decisions about their future. By now, they may be balancing school with multiple hours of training each day. For me I had been taking opportunity anywhere and my schedule was packed. The intense physical demands of training to reach professional promise can be challenging, but for many dancers, the passion and drive to pursue a career in dance outweigh the sacrifices. For me, dance is something I give my all to.

In these formative years, dancers often face tough decisions: Do they want to focus solely on dance, or do they want to pursue academic interests as well? This decision can be difficult for many due to the fear of the instability in a career in the arts and how many don’t believe you can have a sustainable future. Something that I deeply believe in is that if you are passionate about something that everything else will figure itself out. Now I am not saying that deciding to have a career in dance is easy. It comes with a lot of demanding work. And there are many ways to get started. Some may choose to attend a specialized arts school or an intensive pre-professional dance program that further hones their technical abilities. Others may seek opportunities for summer programs, competitions, or auditions that allow them to gain exposure to professional companies. As I was looking into my next steps for my career after high school, I chose to go to a four-year college with an amazing dance program. I was accepted and approved for the BFA program. I had planned and was very eager to follow this route from the beginning of my high-school years. 

This is also the time when dancers begin to confront the realities of the profession. As I started my time dancing in college, while I did learn a lot and really enjoyed my time there, something didn’t feel quite right. While the experience I was getting was my dream come true, I felt stuck. I felt like my career was on hold and that I wasn’t truly chasing after my passion. While you should never be afraid to continue learning, I knew this path was not right for me. It was an extremely difficult to make the decision to leave yet at the same time felt right since the beginning.

The Leap to Professionalism: From Aspiration to Reality

As I begin making my way in the dance community, my internal questions shift from "What kind of dancer do I want to be?" to "How can I become a professional?"  One of the most difficult parts of leaving my original plans of college and getting a degree was wondering how I take the next step. It takes so much more then talent to succeed. Making a career in such a competitive art takes resilience and commitment. With my deep passion driving me forward, I will achieve my goals of making a difference somewhere with just a little bit of hard work. While there are many challenges to face, and this is only the beginning, I am eager to take every opportunity ahead.

So, what exactly is my plan? There is no “right way” to find success in the arts. Many dancers begin by auditioning for dance companies, embracing every occasion to network with other dancers, and performing in various settings to build a portfolio. This is one way that I will be taking a leap into the community. I am lucky enough to be close to Minneapolis, MN, which has a constantly growing dance community. Auditioning for shows and companies will do more then get me experience but also connect with other performers and creators. Some dancers may find success in prestigious companies or join smaller, independent dance groups. This is also something I am likely to go for. All while I am building my name, I have begun to pursue becoming my own freelance artist, creating my own work, and collaborating with other creatives in this industry. I have been spending my time building my social media presence and getting my name out there. It may seem like a lot but the passion for my goals keeps pushing me to take big strides towards my dream.

Conclusion: The Unfolding Journey

The road to success in dance is rarely linear. The journey from childhood passion to professional dancer requires flexibility, both literally and metaphorically. From the very beginning my path to professionalism has constantly changed, yet I have learned so much. Success may come in different forms: performing in world-class theaters, teaching the next generation of dancers, or founding a dance company. No matter the path, these next steps will take me, the journey is always about the love for movement, the drive to excel, and the constant pursuit of artistic expression.

Whether you are just starting out on your journey, or you’ve already made the leap to the professional stage, remember that every dancer's path is unique. And no matter where it takes you, dance will always be there — a companion, a challenge, and an art.