To get into the spirit of Term Two here at WAPS, we asked Sarah, one of our teachers a few questions about what dance means to her.

How did you get started in dancing?

I started as a teenager, and decided to join because all my friends did dance classes and they all seemed to enjoy it. I went along to my first ballet class and loved it, even though I had no idea what I was doing! I was super shy as a teenager so it was really great having dance to express myself. I got addicted so quickly – my ballet class swiftly turned into multiple ballet classes a week. I then added jazz and technique classes in to the mix within a few months and I haven’t looked back since! I am now lucky enough to do what I love for a living!

Why do you love dance so much?

I love dance for so many different reasons, I can’t nail it down to just one! Firstly, I love being on stage! I love performing for people and making them smile and feel different emotions based on the way I’m dancing. Being on stage builds my confidence and strength, even if I do still get butterflies beforehand!

Secondly, I love the motivation and drive that it gives me. I always want to do more! Even when I can hardly walk and am covered in bruises, dance always encourages me to give 100% in every class and every performance because I get so much out of it. I learn something new in every single class I attend, and I love being able to share everything I know with all of my students who work just as hard as I do.

Thirdly, I often find myself getting a bit stressed out because of my studies, and dance helps me relieve that stress! I can just go to the studio and let all of my frustration and stress out when I dance, and then leave feeling so much better and refreshed. It’s not only a work out physically, but also mentally – so its good to focus on something other than studies!

I think so many people go through life not knowing how strong, flexible or incredible their bodies can be… dance helps people to find that out! I love seeing the excited grin on my student’s faces when they learn a new trick, or when they finally successfully complete a combination that we’ve been working on for weeks. I love that they are so proud of themselves, and I don’t think anything else really gives you the same sense of pride that dancing does.

What’s your favourite style?

I love dancing and choreographing beautiful contemporary pieces. Lyrical is such a good style to express your emotions, and always looks so lovely and graceful. But, I also absolutely love sassy commercial jazz! I have so much fun being fierce and giving attitude in jazz pieces. I think every dancer needs to take a while to work out what style is their favourite, and even then, you can so easily have more than one!

Whats your biggest piece of advice for aspiring dancers?

My biggest advice for aspiring dancers is to never give up! No matter how terrible a class was, or how tough your teacher was on you, or what anyone else tells you… never give up. Every single person I’ve ever met in the dancing world is so stunning in their own way, and they each bring something new and exciting to the studio. Without you, the dancing world loses something that can’t be replaced, because no-one else can bring to the studio what you do! Dancing isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it. Believe in yourself and work hard for your art… and don’t forget to smile!