As a senior in high school, taking my bows in my last story ballet with my hometown dance studio, Don Quixote, I remember thinking that it was my “last bow,” my eyes welling up with tears. I wish now that I could go back in time and tell myself that I had many bows left to come.
As a freshman at Notre Dame, I discovered the Ballet Club and Notre Dame Dance Company. At Ballet Club, I would have the opportunity to take and teach ballet classes twice a week. In Dance Co., I could perform on a stage again at Washington Hall. While Ballet Club is open to all, I had to audition for Dance Co. This was especially daunting for me because my main dance background was ballet - I lived and breathed it since I was 5 - but Dance Co specializes in more contemporary and lyrical styles, which I was unfamiliar with.
Thankfully, I made it into the company despite a truly nerve-wracking audition (ballet technique for the win!). This offered me a new opportunity to try new dance styles - I tried out for tons of dances - getting cut from some but making others - and have performed musical theatre, a jazz-pointe fusion, a disco ballet, and more. I even choreographed my own dances, my first to Fosse’s Cell Block Tango and my current dance a recreation of classical ballet Giselle’s Pas de Willis. In Dance Co., I’ve met incredible people from all different majors and backgrounds, learning from their talent and skills. Trying something new is always a bit uncomfortable - I’m the kind of person who tends to give up when I’m not immediately good at something, but I kept pushing myself and finally feel comfortable dancing not only ballet.
Dance Co. is like a well-oiled machine, always well managed and polished, and somewhat competitive with its audition processes and cuts. I wanted the chance to dance in a more relaxed environment and freely try even more new styles. Thus, I discovered Transpose Dance Collective, which makes no cuts and accepts dancers of all levels. There, I learned my first lyrical and contemporary dances, as I’d been cut from these styles before in Dance Co. I loved the giggly and lighthearted nature of Transpose rehearsals, and decided to run for office - I’m now the creative director! I got to help shape our showcase theme for this year, “Dancing Through Decades,” featuring dances from throughout history. I’m also designing new merch, posters (seen below), and graphics and have loved being part of the officer team for Transpose.
Transpose is also a great place to learn and improve, as just this semester, after doing contemporary in Transpose last year, I was able to make the cut for my first contemporary dance in Dance Co.! I even learned enough lyrical to be choreographing my own lyrical piece for this year’s Transpose show to Jeff Buckley’s “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over.” Thus, both organizations, in different ways, have challenged me as a learner, choreographer, and teacher.
Ballet Club, for the past few years, has been primarily just a place for ballet classes. However, after being elected as co-Presidents, my friends Dora and I decided to strive to put on our own showcase independent of any other dance organization. While it wasn’t easy, I was able to squeeze us into a slot in Washington Hall. We came up with a gorgeous theme, “The Fairy Garden,” featuring pieces from various fairy-centric ballets such as Sleeping Beauty and Les Sylphides. It is my first time actually putting together a show - we still have to find stage managers, ushers, figure out costumes, and raise funds - but it’s also the most exciting thing I’ve ever been in charge of.
Now, as a Recruitment and Visitation Intern with ND Admissions, when I give information sessions to prospective students, I make sure to emphasize that if there’s an art or sport they love from high school, there is definitely a place for them to continue it at Notre Dame. By taking initiative and leaving my comfort zone, I’ve evolved, not devolved, as a dancer. Ballet will always be my first love and favorite art form, but I’ve also had so much fun meeting dancers who specialize in other styles and learning eagerly from them.
While ballet isn’t my major, career path, or job, it is still part of what makes me, me. I’m so grateful that at Notre Dame, I’ve still gotten the chance to foster all aspects of my identity.