Hometown: McMinnville, OR

Education: Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance (Opera) from University of Puget Sound, American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).

Dance Background: I began dancing ballet when I was 3.5 and have loved it ever since! After high school and college, I found myself in NYC where I pursued a musical theater career dancing tap, jazz, swing, musical theater and ballet. I took about 10 years off from dancing when I had my kids, teaching musical theater every summer at Young Musicians and Artists camp. And then I found Colorado Dance Collective and am so excited to be back at it!

I've danced with many studios, but began at Stites Dance Studio in Portland and continued to AMDA and Broadway Dance Center in NYC before finding the CDC.

Hometown: Yankton, SD

Education: I grew up in South Dakota and moved to Greeley to pursue a Bachelor’s degree at UNC in Human Services, with a minor in Studio Art-Painting.

Dance Background: I’ve been dancing since I was 4. My main style has always been ballet, but around the age of 11/12 I began training in jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. I later took classes in hip hop, musical theatre, pointe, and tap. In high school, I spent time on the dance team and competed in Kick, Jazz, & Pom. I grew up training at The Green Room Dance Studio in Yankton, SD. I began dancing competitively around age 14 and attended large conventions/competitions with my hometown company. I was given the opportunity to travel with the Manhattan Dance Project in 2019 to Italy, where I assisted a choreographer & took master classes.

I quit dancing in 2020 when the pandemic hit and I lost my passion for performing. Fortunately, I developed skills in the visual arts as an outlet for what I was going through while I abstained from dancing. Finally, after a couple years, I started dancing again in 2022 as I missed the stage & the discipline. I now am able to appreciate my love for both the performing and visual arts; I look forward to integrating an interdisciplinary use of the arts and the humanities in my career.

Hometown: Laramie, Wyoming

Education: PhD in Development Studies (University of Cambridge), Degree in Acoustics (London South Bank University), Bachelor of Science in Geology and Environment & Natural Resources (University of Wyoming), Bachelor of Art in International Studies (University of Wyoming)

Dance Background: I am relatively new to the world of dance as of 2023 and couldn’t have been more pleased than to have found the Colorado Dance Collective family! I have danced Latin socially but have always been more of an endurance athlete competing in cross country running, 100-mile endurance horse competitions, rock climbing, and marathon kayak racing. I have always admired dancers and my body finally told me it was time to immerse in creative expression and movement rather than distance competitions. I couldn’t be more grateful to CDC for supporting me on this journey and for being such an inspiring community.

Hometown: Greeley, CO

Education: Master teaching English as second language

Dance Background: I have been dancing Kpop for 2 years and I record my dance and share them online with other people who are also interested in dancing. I alway find a way to improve my dancing skills and am always ready to learn.

Hometown: Knoxville, TN

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education: Educational Interpreting (Sign Language Interpreting)

Dance Background: I am an athlete with varied dance training, beginning with an Israeli folk dance group when I was 4 years old. As I grew up, I gained experience in international folk dancing, gymnastics, interpretive dance, modern, jazz, and ballet. During my middle and high school years, I toured nationally and internationally as an original member of For Zion’s Sake children’s dance troupe and also as a young member of the Benote Tzion Israeli and International Dance team. After being away from dance for several years, I joined Momentum Dance Lab (MDL), a modern dance company in Knoxville, TN, as a Company Member in 2016. I soon became a Core Member and co-directed MDL’s annual showcase performance in 2018. After my family and I moved to Northern Colorado at the end of 2021, I knew I wanted to find a place to continue dancing and performing as soon as we got settled. As of Fall 2022, the Colorado Dance Collective is my dance home.

Hometown: Glen Carbon, IL

Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet with a minor in English from Friends University in Wichita, KS

Dance Background: I began dancing when I was three years old and have studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip-hop, and musical theatre. I trained at Rena’s Dance Unlimited through high school, Friends University through college, and briefly at COCA St. Louis and Fort Wayne Ballet over the years. I trained in the Cecchetti method of ballet and have passed my advanced (grade VII) Cecchetti exam. I continued to pursue ballet in college, dancing a variety of roles in original works and classics such as The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Les Sylphides. After college I began teaching dance before studying as a trainee at Fort Wayne Ballet. I quickly realized that I missed working with students and returned to teaching dance, this time at a competition studio where I taught a variety of styles and even had a piece place first at nati

onals. I currently teach ballet at The Conservatory in Greeley.

I moved to Greeley with my husband in 2022. After a five year break from the stage, I decided it was time for me to return to dancing myself and feel very thankful for the opportunity to dance at the CDC!

Hometown: Henderson, CO

Education: About to graduation from UNC with a psychology degree and a minor in dance!

Dance Background: I trained since I was 8 in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, and more! I trained at Premier School of Dance in Thornton,CO.

Hometown: Elk Grove, CA

Education: BS in Psychology from the University of California, Davis Currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching for Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado

Dance Background: I began dancing in elementary school at a local studio in my hometown under the direction of Susan Cherney.  I fell in love with dance and trained in various styles over the years including ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop. The Cecchetti method of classical ballet was at the core of my training and I completed yearly exams until I graduated high school and left for college.  I taught ballet and tap at various studios in high school and college and continued dancing in college for local productions in the Sacramento area.  I also pursued my love for entertaining as an Emcee/DJ/Dance leader at various events and parties on the weekends. I moved to Colorado in 2005 and began raising a family.  After being away from dance for 18 years, I began dancing with Wendy Sosa at the Colorado Dance Collective in 2022 and am thrilled to be training and performing again!

Hometown: La Mirada, CA

Education:  Seeking a Theatre Studies degree with a writing minor

Dance Background: I've been dancing since I was 15, and did cheerleading before that. I fell in love with dance and theatre when I saw local production of Newsies. I started with ballet, tap, and jazz. After high school I started dancing ballroom and swing as well. I started at Miss Corrie's Performing Arts then moved to A Dance Place while I was in California. I started learning ballroom at Follow my Lead in Idaho. I've been at CDC since 2021.

Hometown: Born in El Salvador, but have lived most of my life in Greeley, CO.

Education: Animation Certificate at Aims Community College

Dance Background: I’ve been dancing for about 9 years now. I specialize in popping, freestyle, hip hop and animation. I have trained with Dance Fusion, the Greeley West dance team, and Colorado Dance Collective.

My main inspiration to become a dancer was a dancer I saw on YouTube named Fik-Shun. His style was so unique and awe-inspiring that it made me want to learn from him and dance like him. From there I found more dancers to learn from and more styles to incorporate in my dancing.

Hometown: Longmont, CO

Education: Currently majoring in Human Services

Dance Background: I have danced ever since I was 3. Some styles I have done include ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and hip hop. However, I’ve primarily trained in ballet for most of my dance career.

Over the years I've trained with Colorado Dance Collective, Centennial State Ballet, Longmont Dance Theater Academy, Ballet Renaissance, Center Stage, and Dance Factory.

I have danced my entire life. My primary love is ballet. I was in a pre professional ballet program and participated in numerous shows such as the Nutcracker, Midsummers Nights Dream, and Around the World in 80 Days. I took a break from dance for a few years after the pandemic but am glad to be performing again!

Hometown: Commerce City, CO

Education: Currently studying theater education with minor in dance at the Univerity of Northern Colorado.

Dance Backround: I started dancing with a small community theater when I was young and found my home there. I have been a Lindy hopper for 7 years and I have choreographed for my highschool and community productions with Prairie Playhouse. I also spent time training with Shauna Marble.

Hometown: Greeley, CO

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado.

Dance Background: I started doing ballet 17 years ago, and I have also done hip hop and jazz competitively in high school. I have danced at Evans Rec Center with Deneice Dyer and then with Ixchell Levendosky in Loveland. Then I danced on the poms team at Greeley West.

Hometown: Greeley, CO

Education: I graduated from Windsor Charter Academy with my Associates of Science from Aims in 2020. I took a break from school until May 2021, when I started taking classes at the University of Northern Colorado. I am currently finishing up my Exercise Science - BS with a minor in biology and a minor in dance.

Dance Background: I have been dancing since I was 3 years old. I grew up training at the Dance Factory here in Greeley. My training began with tap and ballet then progressed into jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, and hip hop. I was on the competitive competition team for many years while also performing on my HS poms team for one year. Once I graduated high school, I knew I still wanted to pursue dance, so I began taking classes at the Colorado Dance Collective in 2020 while taking a break from performing. I also begin teaching at Dance Factory and have been a proud staff member for almost four years now. After a year of just taking classes at CDC, I auditioned for the company and am now a part of Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. During the last couple of years, I have also been given a couple other performance opportunities including the Evermore Arts Dance Concert and UNC Dance Concert.

Mainly, my training has been with Dance Factory, University of Northern Colorado, and Colorado Dance Collective.

Other than dancing, I love to spend time outdoors during both the warmer and cooler weather. I love to hike, snowboard, swim, go on walks, or even just sit outside and read!

Hometown: Windsor, CO

Education: Bachelor in English

Dance Background: I have been training for 18 years. I have primarily focused on ballet but have also done jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, and character. I have taught at Henry Academy of Dance and I have done some choreography with University of Northern Colorado. I have trained at Dance Factory, Henry Academy of Dance, and Colorado Ballet. Ive done summer intensives with Colorado Ballet as well as one with American Ballet Theatre. I’m also apart of the company at Heartbeat Ballet in Fort Collins.

Hometown: Longmont, CO

Education: Bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts with an Emphasis in Secondary Education and a Minor in Dance from the University of Northern Colorado.

Dance Background: I've been classically trained in ballet since the age of 3. I added jazz and modern during high school and picked up tap in college. My go-styles are ballet, contemporary, and jazz or a mix of all three when I'm choreographing. I have directed and choreographed musical theatre shows for high schools for the past 2 years. I trained at Longmont Dance Theatre Academy for the majority of my training and then Airborne during my senior year of high school.

Aside from being a dancer, I am also a photographer. I shoot primarily portraits, couples, and events and actually started doing weddings in the past 2 years. Other hobbies include baking, painting, and the occasional cross-country road trip.

Hometown: Greeley, Colorado

Education: Eaton High School 2018

Dance Background: I've been dancing since I was 11, mainly tap but sometimes hip hop. I quit dancing when I was 15 then just started back up last year. I've been at both NCADA and Greeley Conservatory. I just joined Colorado Dance Collective in January and love the challenge it brings!

Hometown: Billings, MT

Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of South Dakota, Bachelor’s of Science in Community Health, Montana State University

Dance Background: I began dancing at a young age, training in jazz, tap and ballet. In middle school and high school, I performed with competition studios with a focus on jazz and hip hop. In high school, I started to focus mainly on classical ballet, pointe and modern and continued to dance in college while attending MSU. After college, I served as a board member, teacher and choreographer for a variety of dance studios, companies and shows. In physical therapy school, I worked with dancers at Oregon Ballet Theatre and Ohio State University. While finishing my education, I was able to dance and teach across the country and experience a variety of dance styles and have settled in Colorado and am excited to call Colorado Dance Collective home.

Hometown: Greeley,  CO

Education: Bachelors in Communication Studies, Masters in Communicatio, both from the University of Northern Colorado.

Dance Background: I have been dancing since I was 10 off and on! I have also trained in Baton Twirling! Before Colorado Dance Collective, I was in another non-profit dance group and I would assist with choreography for multiple dances and teach it to the group! I have dabbled in most styles but am mainly trained in Hip Hop primarily through CDC! I trained at Dance Factory when I was younger, in baton twirling with the group Twilight Twirlers, and with non-profit group Elluminate, Colorado Dance Fusion, Colorado Dance Collective. My biggest dream ever would be to dance in a Disney show or parade! When I was younger I would dance all the time and choreographed dances for my family to watch! My favorite thing is to perform and dance with my friends in my groups! My life would be dull without the dance family I have around me!

Hometown: Greeley, Colorado

Education: Senior at Greeley Central in the arts magnet program with a triple emphasis in dance, vocal music, and acting.

Dance Background: I began dancing through musical theatre when I was around 9 years old, and began formal ballet training and dance when I was 12. I have been en pointe for three years. I’ve been finding a new passion for choreography the past two years and have explored a vast range of styles through choreography, including ballet, modern/contemporary, and musical theatre. I’ve been dancing at A Dance Place since I first started ballet, and have since trained with Christy O’Connell Black at GCHS and with Wendy at Colorado Dance Collective.

Hometown: Cheynne, WY

Education: Graduated from Cheyenne East in 2019. Will Graduate with my Bachelors in Elementary Ed with an emphasis in Special Education.

Dance Background: I’ve been dancing for 14 years. I started in jazz and then moved into ballet and tap I’ve been doing those for 13-14 years. In high school I did all styles and competed for 7 years. I started teaching my junior year of high school mostly littles but have done all ages. Started at Power & Grace (Louisiana), a few years in Germany at Grace Studios and then Act Two Studios (Cheyenne). Before starting dance I struggled to find something I was good at and when I started dance something clicked. At first I didn’t want to go back after my first class because I felt like everyone was more developed but after some encouragement from my teacher ( kind words and a lollipop) I’ve been going back ever since. Flash forward always grateful for the happiness that CDC brings me!

Hometown: Longmont, CO

Education: Graduated from Longmont high school and I am currently a student at the University of Northern Colorado to study nursing

Dance Background: I have been dancing since I was 3 and began competing at the age of 8 years old. I have been competing ever since. I recently graduated from high school so my competition years came to an end and my journey at the Colorado dance collective began. I have trained at Mountainside Dance Academy, Dance Dimensions, and now at Colorado Dance Collective. Growing up in the dance world taught me a lot of different lessons that would help me in my life outside of dance. The most important to me is the importance of my dance families. We support and love each other for who we are. I am very excited to be apart of this new dance family.

Hometown: Boulder, CO

Education: I am a senior at Colorado State Univeristy about to get my degree in biology and a minor in Spanish. I am planning to attend vet school in the fall!

Dance Background: I began when I was around 8, doing a Irish dance. I quickly moved on and began hip hop at a studio near my house. As my love for dance grew, I wanted to start competing. This is when I started all the styles I love today. I did contemporary, jazz, ballet, tap, and hip hop. I love to sub for classes around Fort Collins now! I mainly trained at Dance Dimensions in Longmont growing up. 

Hometown: Eaton, CO

Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Electronic Art, Minor in Women’s Studies from Colorado State University; Massage Therapy 1000 Hour Certificate from Academy of Natural Therapy

Dance Background: Tricia has been dancing since age 3 and has been trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, poms, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and musical theater. She spent nearly all of her time outside of school training and performing with the competition team for her studio through high school. Starting in 2017,  Tricia spent three years teaching ballet at Top Notch Dance Company. In early 2022, she began taking classes with Colorado Dance Collective and joined the ballet company for their 15th season. Most of Tricia’s dance education was done through Dance Factory in Greeley, CO. She has also taken classes from EDGE Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. She danced with Top Notch Dance Company and is now excited to be part of the Colorado Dance Collective! 

Outside of dance, Tricia is a passionate visual artist. She loves to make multimedia art, incorporating painting, drawing, embroidery, sculpture, photography, and collage elements. Starting in 2021, she also became a small business owner!

Hometown: Floral Park, NY

Education: Studied computer engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology. I was able to successfully turn my side hustle into a livelihood. Which allowed me to drop out and pursue my passion for climbing.

Dance Background: I danced casually with a friend in college to kpop & cpop choreography. This is my first time being committed to dance and I look forward to what's coming.

Hometown: Venezuela

Education: Senior Musical Theatre Major from UNC

Dance Background: I self taught myself how to dance until I got to University in 2021, that was my first experience with Ballet and Jazz. I love dancing Hip Hop, Salsa, and Latin genres. My first time training started this year in January at CDC and I feel grateful to be in such an uplifting community. You can catch me as Gabriella Montez in Candlelight’s production of High School Musical. 

Instagram: soloandrea23.

Hometown: Little River, Kansas

Education: BA in Art with an emphasis in painting from the University of Northern Colorado.

Dance Background: I studied at a studio called Artistree in Hutchinson, KS, from age 6 through the end of high school. Under Director Betsy Andrew’s creative vision, we studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Modern, as well as many workshops in Musical Theater, African, Ballet Variations, and more. Each year we would travel to New York City for dance workshops as well as summer trips to the renowned St. Louis Tap Festival. During that time, I also performed many times in the Metropolitan ballet of Wichita’s Nutcracker as well as Artistree’s productions of the Prairie Nutcracker. I continued to take ballet during my time at Bethel College in Newton, Kansas as well as at the University of Northern Colorado from 2002-2005. As well as teaching 

ballet and tap at various studios in high school, college,and beyond, I have also choreographed numbers for numerous musical theater productions in Kansas and Colorado.

As a busy mom of four, who homeschools, and works full time as an artist, having dance as an outlet, and being part of such a positive and kind dance family has been such a gift.

Hometown: Parker, CO

Education: BS in Physical Education k-12 with a minor in School Health Education from the University of Northern Colorado.

Dance Background: I have been dancing since I was 2 1/2 (so 28 years!) I have trained in almost every style although tap and jazz are my favorites. I was an Eagles Chick for the Colorado Eagles for 3 seasons and can also be seen coaching the Severanc High School poms team. I am a CDC original and this is my 8th year dancing in the company. I spent time training at The Dance Company in Castle Rock, Miller's in Parker, and with Ponderosa Poms.

Hometown: Longmont, CO

Education: Bachelor’s in Sociology & Criminology from CSU
Master’s in School Counseling from UNC

Dance Background: I have been dancing for 24 years, I started on a drill team in middle and high school in Texas, then jazz with CDC since 2015. My specialties are high kick, pom, jazz, and lyrical. I've danced with and coached various teams including Leander Middle School Tigerettes, Leander High School Blue Belles, Longmont High School dance team, Northridge High School Poms team, and CDC. I am a High School Counselor in my tenth year, and was the Poms coach for 8 years. I currently run the Unified Cheer group at my school which offers opportunities for students to partner with those in our Special Education program so all can participate in cheerleading. I miss choreographing for Poms routines and I love creating anything in general, dance related or not!

Hometown: Parker, CO

Education: BFA in Dance Science with a Minor in Disability Studies from the University of Wyoming; NASM Nutrition Coach Certificate, Sugarfoot Therapy Teacher Certificate.

Dance Background: Kat has been dancing since she was 8 years old. She has trained in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary throughout her 21 years of training.  She has also been teaching at Immersion Dance Center since 2017. She teaches ballet, jazz/contemporary, conditioning and technique, dancer wellness, and choreographs for the competition teams!

Kat started dancing in a ballet for figure skaters class. She fell in love with ballet and started training at Colorado School of Dance, where she mainly studied ballet, but tried modern, jazz,  competition team, and hiphop. She then continued her training at the University of Wyoming where she studied ballet, jazz, and modern. After moving back to Colorado in 2017, a friend introduced her to CDC and she has been here ever since!

As a teacher, Kat has continued her education by receiving her nutrition coach certificate through NASM, as well as her certificate in Sugarfoot Therapy in order to better care for her dancers.

Hometown: Greeley, CO

Education: AA in Liberal Arts from Aims Community College, BA in Music and Psychology from Colorado Christian University, Partial MA in Clinical Mental Health

Dance Background: Laura started dancing when she was 8 years old with Movin' for the Lord Dance Company in Greeley, directed by Cindy Lundy. She focused on ballet with Movin' for the Lord, and toured with their traveling company. They performed for multiple local church productions, and performed at Ballet Magnificat! at their summer intensive program. At the same time, Laura started to dance with the Conservatory of Dance in Greeley. There she studied ballet, pointe, lyrical, and hip-hop and competed for a year with their competition company. She performed with the Colorado Dance Theatre (CDT) doing The Nutcracker Ballet for 5 years, performing multiple different roles. She also performed in CDT's Sleeping Beauty Variations production, traveling to local schools to perform the variations and educate kids about dance. Laura has also performed as a dancer for multiple local theatre productions including: Oklahoma!, Pippin, Babes in Arms, Anything Goes, Once Upon a Mattress, My Fair Lady, and Brigadoon. Most recently, Laura performed with a local performance company, Elluminate, helping to raise money for hungry communities in Africa. She finally got involved with Colorado Dance Collective in January of 2018. She is a member of the ballet company, is the assistant director of the ballet company, and is now the Assistant Executive Director of the company. She is thrilled to be a part of this company and to now be serving as Assistant Executive Director. Not only does she love that CDC is an incredible company to be a part of as an adult dancer, but she loves how involved the company is in the community and that they continue to seek ways to fill needs in the dance community.

Hometown: Greeley, CO

Education: MS in Chemistry from UNC, BA in Biological Anthropology from CU Boulder

Dance Background: I’ve been dancing since I was 7 years old. I’ve studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, and some African dance. My dance training was with Academy of Dance Arts, CU Boulder Dance Program, and GRADA. Dance is how I express myself, and how I escape from stress and anxiety.  I feel incredibly lucky to be dancing with Miss Wendy and the talented dancers in this company!

I am Melissa AKA B-girl Melski. Dance is who I am, movement is my service. My life circulates around sharing love and knowledge of dance education to ignite inspiration, passion and healing. Since 1995 I have worked with and established multiple dance schools, ministries, cheer/pom teams and performance productions. Alumni company member of Bravo Repertoire Dance Theatre, Central West Ballet & Ripon City Ballet. Starting in the early 1980's I'm fortunate to have received excellent training while growing up in Northern California from such schools as; San Francisco Ballet School, Juline's School of Dance, Esteem Dance School, Alonzo King Lines, and private training with former San Fransisco Ballet Principal Ballerina, Katita Waldo; Deborah Bernard, City Ballet in San Francisco; Tricia Stilley trainee of Joffrey and School of American Ballet. I'm a mother to three "awesome human beings" and is dedicated to pursuing, sharing and spreading loving-inspiration and motivation. I will stay true to my life mission and motto, "HEALING HEARTS THRU ARTS.”

Hometown: Born and raised in Westminster CO, but now I live in Greeley

Education: I’ve always been involved in theater for as long as I can remember. I went to Denver School of the Arts for Stagecraft and Design from middle school to the end of high school. In college I studied American Sign Language Interpreting until finding a passion in Graphic Design and switching!

Dance Background: I have always had a love for Ballet, Hip Hop, and musical theater. This year I discovered Swing and I have been absolutely loving it! I’ve always loved dancing and performing. I took dance classes when I was little but didn’t continue through middle or high school. I finally re discovered my love for dance in college performing with Greek student life groups as much as I could. In 2021 I joined Northern Colorado Dance Fusion and really grew in my skill and confidence as a dancer! This year joining Colorado Dance Collective has been so amazing, such a welcoming and incredibly talented company.

Hometown: Greeley, CO

Education: Graduated from Greeley Central High School in 2018 and Lettered In Academics.

Dance Background: I taught myself how to dance and 2 years ago I started taking dance classes to improve my strength, and technique. I began training with Inspire Dance Academy and have trained with Colorado Dance Dollective for 2 years now.

Hometown: Greeley, CO

Education: Graduated from Greeley West High School and currently attending Aims Community College to earn an associates in psychology.

Dance Background: I have been dancing since I was 5 for hip-hop. Later through out the years started doing ballet and contemporary, mostly training at Northern Colorado Dance Fusion. I use dance as a way to heal the mind and body as it's a medicine for me.

Hometown: Greeley, Co - 27 years, Canon City prior

Education: Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in elementary education, Masters degree in Educational Leadership- both from UNC!

Dance Background: I have danced since I was a young girl, all ballet! School of Ballet Arts- Canon City, UNC dance department and anywhere Wendy teaches 😉 I am a first/second grade collaborator (teacher) at The Fred Tjardes School of Innovation as well as a wife and proud mom of four kids age 15-20! I am so thankful for the CDC and the opportunity to still train and perform with a loving, supportive group of people!

Hometown: Colombia

Education: Graduate in Psychology and studying English as a second language.

Dance Background: In 2015, I seized the opportunity to immerse myself in a diverse array of dance styles, including jazz, contemporary, folklore, and fabric dance. I became a member of a dance group at the church where I was raised. Our repertoire included classes in jazz, contemporary, folklore, and hip hop. Exploring various dance styles, we even ventured to Cali - Colombia to expand our knowledge further. This journey was profoundly enriching as it not only deepened my connection with dance but also enhanced my spiritual growth. Nearly five years of being part of this group left an indelible mark on me. By 2019, I was entrusted with leading children in dance performances at the academy.

In 2022, I made the decision to come to America with the goal of learning English as a second language and immersing myself in the culture. I was fortunate to live with an extraordinary host family, Alyssa's family, who introduced me to American life. Alyssa teaches swing dancing at CDC. Shortly after arriving, I enrolled at CDC to study ballet and jazz, eager to expand my dance skills. At the beginning of 2024, I enthusiastically joined the Hip Hop academy at CDC, eager to expand my repertoire. Additionally, salsa, cumbia, and reggaeton have always been integral parts of my cultural upbringing, shaping my identity through dance from a young age.

Dancing holds immense significance in my life, deeply rooted in the rich cultural tapestry of my homeland. Growing up in a country where music and dance are integral parts of daily life, I have fond memories of participating in school performances from a young age. With salsa flowing through my family's veins, I naturally absorbed the rhythms and movements from their spirited dances. For me, dancing transcends mere physical expression; it is a liberation of the spirit. Each movement resonates with the essence of my being, allowing my soul to articulate its deepest emotions. In the rhythm and motion of dance, I find freedom and a profound connection to my true self.