I minute away from my house. The studio was just starting out, so there weren’t many students, and I signed up for Tap and Ballet. The years went on and I jumped from one genre of dance to another and eventually, Tap became my favorite style of dance. I grew up in that studio, and I got to see the studio grow itself. Eventually, I was taking pretty much every class I could, and even assisting with other classes.

In eighth grade, I was put on a new performing team and I was super excited; in ninth grade I was put on two of the other performing teams. I was dancing at the studio every day, except Sunday when the studio was closed. Freshman year went by in a breeze. I loved being at the studio every day, and I was in the prime of my dance abilities. I woke up at 5:45am for school activities, stayed at school until 3:30pm for more activities, ate, and then stayed at the studio until nighttime. Even though I was doing all of that and taking all advanced classes, I was sleeping enough and had high grades.

Sophomore year began and I found it harder and harder to keep up with school, dance, and other activities. I was still taking all advanced classes, and I was even hired as a dance teacher. The studio was going through major changes with staff and scheduling so it was different than before. One of my favorite teachers left the studio and no one liked her replacement. Dance became less fun, and more of a chore because of all those changes. I was getting more stressed with school and dance, even though I was doing the same thing as last year. I reached a breaking point: I had to decide what was best for me. Should I let my passion for dance go and move onto new things, or should I continue dancing and keep straining myself by doing something that wasn’t bringing me the joy it used to?

At first, I wanted to just let go of one class, ballet. I never liked ballet because it was so slow, but the old teacher taught a more upbeat and contemporary ballet. She was the reason I enjoyed ballet so much. I made the decision to not take the class anymore, but that led to further complications with the studio because they wanted me to stay for their own benefit. Due to the complications, I ended up leaving all of the classes I was taking except for my tap class, but even so, I still was not having the same fun I used to have.

In February, I made the final decision to let go of dancing. It was hard because I had to leave something so huge and so familiar. Ultimately, I think it was the right decision for me. I had an amazing run, but I wanted to venture out and try new things. After leaving, I finally had time to do other things outside of dance that I couldn’t do before. For the first time in a long while, I actually had time to go hang out with my friends outside of school. Leaving the studio was the hardest choice I’ve ever had to make, but in the end, I have no regrets about my decision. Although I miss dancing and the studio itself, I’m excited to see what new experiences and memories the future will bring. By no means will I desert my love for dance completely, but I don’t plan on joining another studio. In the meantime, I will always keep my connection to dance whether I’m leaping around on the grass, doing ballet combos in the grocery aisles, or tapping my feet under my desk.

© Sabrina. All rights reserved. If you are interested in quoting this story, contact the national team and we can put you in touch with the author’s teacher.