"When I was younger, I was very much inspired by the older dancers in my studio.  One in particular, who was about six years older than me kind of acted as my mentor.  I looked up to her in every way. I emulated her conscious combination of art, entertainment, and competitiveness. My favorite song to dance to is 'His Eye is on the Sparrow' by Lauryn Hill and Tanya Blount.  I had heard it so many times but there was one specific time I do recall. When I was about nine or ten years old, my mentor performed a solo to that song and almost ten years later, my studio told me they wanted me to recreate the piece. 

Still to this day whenever I hear that song it makes me want to get lost in my emotions and leave my heart on the dance floor. Now that I think about it, I think my very emotional connection with dance stemmed from its place in my childhood.  Dance was the only aspect of my life that was consistent.  No matter what internal tensions I was struggling with, whether it was family, friends, or school, dance was my language of release.  I could easily press play and get lost in a creative, abstract wave of fun, freedom and expression, while being surrounded by the people who share the same passion. And that's anywhere you go.  That's why I love dance so much, you cannot deny the joy it brings. "