Adriana Myers in 500 Words

Artful I Photography

Performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy in EPIC Performing Company's 2021 rendition of The Nutcracker was a highlight of my high school dance career.

5, 6, 7, 8.

Point your toes, turn out your feet, shoulders down, elbows lifted, engage your core.

A constant stream of critiques flood your mind as you begin twirling across the stage. 

Remember to smile, listen to the music, follow those around you.

These are the thoughts of only one kind of person: a dancer. 

I slipped into my first pair of ballet shoes when I was four years old. As most little girls would, I felt like a princess. Let alone did I know that moment would characterize the rest of my life.

My first recital at age 4.

For the next 14 years, I found myself spending hours upon hours each evening in my second home (known to everyone else as a dance studio). I studied all kinds of genres including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, hip-hop and musical theatre. So I guess you can say I was invested. 

Not only did I use dance as a means of expression and enjoyment,  I used dance to bond with those that shared the same passion. 

If you know me, you know my younger sister Gemma is my soulmate. We should've been twins in her mind, but I like being a little older so that I can make the mistakes she'll learn from. She and I have a relationship unlike any other in my life, and I don't know what I'd do without her. She tells me everything and I tell her everything (sometimes we even joke that we are too much like an old married couple). 

Since we enjoy a lot of the same people, places and things, it came as no surprise that we both fell in love with dance. This shared hobby allowed us to grow closer to one another and develop genuine friendships with girls we danced with. We spent all our time with these people, both on and off the dance floor.

My sister, best friends, and I after one of our 
final performances together.

When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across our nation, my right to enter the studio was stripped away. After a few weeks of withdrawal, my dance teacher decided to start holding virtual classes. I remember the excitement that ran through me when I finally got to turn my kitchen or foyer into a dance floor. The rest of my family wasn't as thrilled about it.

I discovered a new-found appreciation for the ability to move my body. More importantly, the ability to move my body anywhere. 

Going to college, I knew that I might not continue to dance like I had done my entire life. This was terrifying. I'd be stepping away from all I ever knew. But, I also knew that dance was always going to mean something to me.

It allowed me to find myself. I give it credit for making me the person I am today: a perfectionist who overthinks and has body dysmorphia (okay, that was a bit dramatic).

Genuinely, I thank dance. I thank my sister for inspiring me. I thank my parents for paying for all my classes, costumes and competitions. I thank my teachers who continuously pushed me to be better. I thank my friends who made it enjoyable enough to return each day.

I am the hard-working, creative perfectionist that pushes herself each day to become a better version of herself. So again, thank you dance.