Camden Brown

Getting lost in music and moving my body freely has been a principal role throughout my life, starting at only two years old. When my parents signed me up for toddler dance classes in 2007, they had no idea dance would become such an integral part of who I am today.

While learning different dance steps like a shuffle ball-change in tap or pirouettes in ballet, I was simultaneously learning critical life lessons. Patience was one of the most important skills I was forced to learn. I would get extremely frustrated with my fellow classmates, teachers, and even myself. This frustration would arise from things like people getting in my way in a group dance or not mastering an unfamiliar dance move on the first try. Although it took me many years to achieve, I realized I had to use my patience and stay calm when things do not go my way. This concept has shifted into my everyday life and has allowed me to not feel defeated when things go haywire.

Although I am not continuing my dance passion in college, I will never forget the memories, hardships, and connections I have made through my sixteen-year journey as a dancer. One of my favorite characteristics of myself I earned is my trustfulness. It is impossible to be a dancer and not trust your fellow peers, especially when there’s a situation where you are flipping backwards from six feet high and expect your friends to catch you. Trust in dance is also confiding in your peers and allowing them to help. I made my best friends through dance and my bond with them is like no other. As I shift into this new era of my life, I’ll take everything I learned to shine throughout my personality and new friendships.