DTH Student Spotlight

​I have studied at Dance Theatre of Harlem for seven and a half years.

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​Being a dance student at the Dance Theatre of Harlem School has prepped me for almost anything. The demanding, but rewarding schedule disciplined me to become a well taught dancer. Aside from the unmatched Ballet training I received there, I have also been exposed to art forms such as Horton, West-African, Hip-Hip, Jazz, and Contemporary. But what would these techniques be without amazing teachers? I can genuinely say that my teachers at DTH are the reasons why I felt so ready for the ACT-SO competition. The teachers truly care for your success as an individual as well as a performer and this delicacy extends to the staff as well. The DTH family teaches you to push yourself to better yourself, but to also believe in yourself. All of this is what allowed me to be ready for the ACT-SO 2021 competition.

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​The pandemic took the in-person competition experience away from me and so many others. The live energy and face-to-face conversations were some things that unfortunately I didn’t get to have, but it allowed me to broaden my understandings and to be open to new things. For my Contemporary dance competition, I had to record my solo in a studio with a 10 second introduction of myself along with the branch I was representing. This was something that wasn’t particularly new to me considering that this is how majority of my college auditions transpired. But something that was new for me was trusting my talent. The pandemic took a toll on my dance technique and I was not confident. Even after winning the state competition, I didn’t think I was going to win nationals. So I didn’t watch the ceremony. It wasn’t until I got a phone call with someone saying “Congratulations on winning first place in nationals”, that I actually had to trust in my talent. If I learned anything from this experience, it would be to trust in yourself.

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​How has dance made you the person you are today?

​Dance instilled so much in me. From confidence to discipline, dancing became the highlight of any one of my days, especially studying dance as young as I did. Being a dancer allowed me to be introduced to amazing people that changed my life and wonderful places that I had the privilege of dancing at. Dance has also allowed me to appreciate the arts in a whole new light. You start to understand the hard work that goes into a production. When you are a dancer, everything comes a lot easier for you as well. It’s like “I study Ballet, nothing can be harder than that.” Dance has opened so many doors and opportunities for me and I wouldn’t want to live a life without it.

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​Yes! Trust your ability and pursue what you want. Keep going and don’t give up. Who knows you might surprise yourself…I know I did!

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