This year, Forest Grove Dance Arts will be celebrating 20 years in business. In my final year as a student with FGDA, I will be celebrating 10 years of dancing with them. It has been 20 years of inspiration and 10 years of countless memories. Looking back, the first recital I participated in was the studio’s 10-year anniversary. Now, I will be performing in my last recital, and it’s the studio’s 20th anniversary. I have performed many recitals, Nutcrackers, and have been a part of the competition team for 5 years. All of these experiences have made it especially hard knowing it’s my last year participating as a student.
The Nutcracker has been a tradition in the community for many years, and has notably been my favorite performance to be a part of. I have pursued 2 of my biggest dreams as a dancer, performing the role of Clara and as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Both these roles are very special to be able to perform and have had a lasting impact on my dancing career. I auditioned for both these roles, Clara being in 8th grade, and the Sugar Plum Fairy being in my senior year. For Clara, I was able to wear a beautiful, completely customized dress that I will forever cherish. The Sugar Plum Fairy tutu that I wore has been passed down many generations of Sugar Plums. It felt very special to wear. I will forever remember all the most special people in my life coming to this past year’s Nutcracker to support and watch me take my final bow as Sugar Plum.
This year, I will be performing my final solo in this year’s ballet recital, as the role of Esmerelda featured in the ballet Don Quixote. Being able to bring these roles alive has been one of the most fun parts about being in ballet. I get a very strong and confident ballet piece that fits my personality perfectly. This year, my class is performing solos from the past 20 years of ballet recitals. It has been so special to see all the roles come to life. The recitals have always been so exciting to perform, since we begin working on dances in January and we perform in June. All the teachers and dancers put so much into the group dances, and it’s so special to see them come to life at the end of the dance year. It’s an exciting way to begin our summer break as we get to see all our hard training pay off throughout the performance week.
The Competition team will always hold a special place in my heart. I have created friendships and memories that will last forever because of the team. I have never been so dedicated and worked so hard for something as I did for my competition solos. I have competed in 5 solos during the time I was on the team, and they all mean so much to me. The environment of the dance competition world can be pretty intense and seem a little abnormal to people outside of the world. But the team I’ve danced with for the past 5 years has made the experience so much better.
I can’t wait to start my next dance chapter, but I will always keep Forest Grove Dance Arts with me.