Biography

At thirteen months old I was adopted from China and by fourteen months I was enrolled in a “Mommy and Me” gymnastics class. When I started dancing at The School for Creative and Performing Arts, (SCPA) I told myself that I would never quit gymnastics for dance. And at the end of my fist year as a dancer at SCPA I tried to change my major but my teacher told me I had too much potential and did not let me switch. Needless to say I quit gymnastics and continued my dance training; it was the best decision of my life. Within the dance department at SCPA is the dance ensemble; it is essentially a mini ballet company. The dance ensemble has a season that includes a fall rep series, The Nutcracker, a spring ballet, and a few smaller shows dispersed throughout the year. Being part of the dance ensemble forces you to grow up and become a young professional. The treat us like adults and hold us up to the standards that you would find at a professional company.  Rehearsals went to 5:30 everyday, except when it was one month before a show, then they went until 6:30. Because of this the dancers were more of a family than an ensemble. This past February the dance ensemble went to Italy to perform our fall rep series; it was a blast and I would love to go back someday. Besides SCPA I have trained with two other companies. The summer of 2013 I went to New York City to train at the Joffrey Ballet School’s summer intensive. While it was a good experience and I am in love with NYC, it was not for me. The summer of 2014 I went to Iowa City to train at the Hubbard Street Dance Company’s summer intensive. It was the best experience I have had so far, dancing wise. Now a dance major at The Ohio State University I am able to explore contemporary in a way that I have not been able to in the past.