My passion for dance..

Hannah Bowker June 3, 2019

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My last performance after 16 years at my dance studio

I am a dancer.. I don’t say that lightly.. I have been dancing for 16 years and have come to realize how important it is to my life. I plan on dancing in college and through the application process, I was often asked what does dance mean to me? I had to stop and think, what does it really mean to me? Well, it’s a part of me, it’s my life, it’s my passion.. I can’t imagine life without dance. Then I started thinking about why it was so important to me.

It’s easy to say that doing something from the time you are 2 to the time you are 18 is a habit. But why you continue to do it, above all other activities, why you skip out on social opportunities with friends and make it the most important thing in your life, is something beyond habit. Dance became an outlet. If I had a bad day at school, I danced it out.. If I had a fight with a friend, the soothing music of a ballet class and the slow, methodical movement soothed me.. I had a great day, the upbeat rhythms of tap let me celebrate the joy of being alive. You see, dance became a voice to emotions that were too difficult to express.. It became a balm to my soul, a place where everything was good.. Now, that’s not to say that there weren’t bad days at dance, trust me.. there were plenty.. but even then, I always came back.. The studio was where I felt most at home. Everyone needs a place like that. A place where they feel safe to express themselves. A place where they can give voice to difficult feelings and emotions. I have come to realize the importance of ALL art forms for this very reason of expression. Music, paint, dance, writing.. it all is an outlet. And it makes life sweeter.. I just performed for the last time with my studio. It was a weekend of celebration. I shed a small tear or two for what I would be leaving behind. The friends, the dances yet to be dance, but mostly, it was sheer joy. The joy of knowing that I will be continuing to dance in college. The joy of taking the stage one last time with my dance family. The joy of celebrating 16 years of dedication and discipline. Of what is to come in the future. I will be attending the University of Tampa and studying dance. I can not WAIT to write the next chapter in my book.. and expand my dance family..

Categories: Royalty Blog Post

Hannah Bowker

Hello everyone! My name is Hannah and I am a college freshman at the University of Tampa! I am double majoring in Dance and Human Performance. Some of my aspirations include being Cinderella at Disney World, performing on a cruise ship and one day, having my own training facility where I can design strength and conditioning programs for elite athletes as well as help dancers prevent and rehabilitate injuries. I am very passionate about dance and believe that dance lessons and performance opportunities should be obtainable to everyone, regardless of monetary situations. I have had the extreme fortune to be able to train with some prestigious dance programs including a summer intensive with the Radio City Rockettes, invited to a week long intensive in Louisiana with Tokyo the Choreographer as well as train in tap with Anthony Lo Cascio, a veteran member of Tap Dogs. I have also have the honor of being selected to be a Ballet in the City ambassador as well as a past ambassador for Traveling TuTus, a program that collects gently used and new dance wear and shoes to help out areas in need. My favorite dance genre is Tap, I feel it lets me truly let go and be myself. I also love music, and I play the flute. This has helped me with my dance skills, helping me with musicality and timing with my steps. Especially with Tap dancing, where a basic of music theory and understanding is needed. I also enjoy working out at the gym, with yoga being my favorite thing to do. I find it very relaxing while helping me develop strength and flexibility. I used to compete in dance competitions, and now am trying my hand at pageants. It’s been a very interesting year so far, and I am looking forward to learning more on how to be a good representative of not only the American Coronet Pageant, but as a representative of the State of New York.