Memoir

      In the years before I became a dancer, I would stand and stare at my sister dancing wishing I could be her. I would watch her through the classroom windows and try to copy everything she would do. I remember having my dad lift me up on stage at the end of one of my sister's recitals, so I could experience what it would be like to be on the "big" stage. My mom always told me that at any kind of dance performance, I would have my eyes glued to the dancers, taking in every little step they made. Every time I heard a catchy beat, I just couldn't sit still. I wanted to get up and dance.

      When I turned three, the age you needed to be to start dance, I finally got the chance, to take my first lesson. It was what I had been waiting for. I was so excited. I remember trying on my sisters old dance shoes and begging my mom to take me to dance early. I smiled and giggled and asked lots of questions all the way to the studio. At dance I met many new friends and some of them are my best friends today!

     The first type of dance I learned was tap and we were taught how to shuffle and flap. These steps came pretty easy for me because I love to do everything that is fast. I was so happy I ran out and gave my mom a big hug after class. I was so excited I went home to show my sister what I had learned.
     
     I will never forget the first time I preformed on the "big" stage. It was at the Ritche Auditorium on the campus of St.Cloud State University. I danced to the song "Happy Tapping with Elmo." I wore a pink dress. I wore an itchy curly wig and had a bow for my hair. I wore shiny black tap shoes and pink tights. I got to dance in the front row, and my mom said you couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

     One year of dance classes and one dance recital, just wasn't enough for me, I  have continued to take dance for over ten years now. I have danced in many competitions, high school shows, and on professional stages in the cities. I can dance tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, open, hip hop, and I am starting pointe. I guess you could say it was more then a just a memory, I was born to dance.