Dance is, above all, something that inspires me. I am inspired by dance to become a better artist and human. While I watch those I admire most around me flourish in their endeavors, I also feel their passion. The energy that we feel when we are surrounded by people we have a strong love and admiration for is truly incredible.

That is how my career as a dancer started. Before I started dancing, my long-term friend, Maggie, invited me to watch her dance at a recital. I remember that my body felt integrated with the dancers as I moved along with them, and I reflected the strong energy that emanated from their performance. That was the moment I decided to pursue dance, and I wanted to dance to get closer to that sensation, but more importantly, I wanted to dance with my friend.

Dance brings with it a strong sense of belonging and community, and I believe that is crucial to its propagation within the heart of every individual. It also teaches confidence and enables me to be my unabashedly playful self in the public eye, and I am thankful for how dance has built a confidence that allows me to express myself more fully. I would not have discovered my passion for dance had it not been for Maggie's love of dance and her willingness to share that passion with me. That is why I am interested in the fellowship centered around dance, formal or informal, as a means of human development and enrichment of the soul.