Confidence on the Dance Floor
Andrea Vargas
Nervousness…Fear…Uh-Oh!
The day of my first dance competition was terrifying -- at first. I was extremely nervous about performing in front of so many people! I wanted to "abandon ship" and go home. "We had a very small group, which only intensified the pressure. I was incredibly nervous and didn't even want to perform. What if they didn't like me? What if I messed up my pirouettes? What if I forgot the whole dance?"
Stage Lights
Excerpt From the Memoir: "The announcer called our number as the blaring music ended and dancers from an opposing studio exited the stage. Feeling a rush of both fear and excitement, I walked to take my place on stage as the lights went down. A low murmur rumbled as the crowd acknowledged that the dance was about to begin. Suddenly, the speakers blasted with Paris Bennett's 'My Boyfriend's Back'. The spotlights almost burnt holes through my eyes as I began to dance along with the music. Camera flashes came to and fro and the cheers from other dancers in my studio were lost in the music. I was having a lot of fun -- something that I thought wouldn't happen."
Confidence on the Dance Floor
"I had done it! The four of us formed a huddle backstage and cheered valiantly. For a moment, I forgot that we were going to have to do it all over again for several other styles of dance. However, I had conquered my first dance, and that's all that mattered to me."
I didn't mess up after all. Being onstage was magical. I immediately fell in love with performing in front of large audiences. I hadn't believed in myself before that day, but that all changed. I overcame my obstacle of insecurity in myself onstage. "For the first time, I had gained confidence on the dance floor."
That day changed my life. I was able to have fun onstage from then on. I decided to continue with competition dance, and loved every second of it. I learned valuable lessons through dance that can't be taught elsewhere, and made best friends that I'll keep for the rest of my life.