My writing assignment for third period:

What Makes Me A Dancer

Dancing is music through movement. Music has been a passion of mines for a very long time. This bond I’ve created with dancing is strong and it’s been getting stronger over the years. I may not be the best dancer or the best at memorizing a piece in a short period a time and I know that I need a lot more practice to become like the more experienced girls on the team, but I am still a dancer. Flexibility has always been my strongest asset to dancing. The emotions that flow through, when I really know a piece, are perfectly visible when I perform it. To be honest, I haven’t been a great performer these days, because I lack confidence on stage or when I’m rehearsing with other people - when behind the stage or when I’m alone, I’m doing so well without an audience. Sometimes I wish people could see me really dance my heart out. I feel as if people haven’t seen that out of me yet. I’m very slow when it comes to learning a piece and perfecting it. It takes time for me to get it perfect and for me to be able to perform it. I feel bad sometimes, because when I’m performing with a team, I’m the weakest link. I let the team down by not knowing some parts of a routine/piece well enough, because of a short amount of time to learn and a short amount of time to practice. I get emotional when I know I’m disappointing everyone around me and I get disappointed in myself. Sometimes, I feel as if I don’t deserve to dance at all, because I’m just not good enough. There have been many times when I just wanted to quit dancing, so I could focus more on my studies or save money, because money is tight for me and my family. But I could never pull through with quitting because dancing has become such a big part of my life, that I never would have the guts to quit. I would get cut off a piece here and there for being so slow. But I still wouldn’t quit. I promise I’ll get better with more practice. If the other girls can do it, I should be able to do it too with just a little more practice. More practice, more practice, more practice. Like I said, I may not be the best technical dancer or the best at memorizing a piece at such a quick pace and I know that I still need to learn more and practice more — but I am still dancer. Whether anyone likes it or not.

What makes me a dancer?

I talk with a melody and make sure I walk with the beats.

“I talk with a melody and walk with beats.” - Lydia Paek