Rediscovering My Passion: How Dance and Generosity Transformed My Life

I was taken out of dance – quite suddenly and painfully – when I moved states a year ago. Once we moved, my family didn’t have the funds to continue my dance journey, and I was mentally and emotionally drained from processing such a devastating change in my life. Honestly, I didn’t even know if I’d ever get a chance to dance in a studio again. I should’ve known, though, that God had a plan for my dance and never intended for me to give it up entirely. After much time spent longing to dance again and meditating on those desires, I realized that I had a calling on my life to dance – and I was being given permission to pursue it.

Even though I know I was created to dance, I have never once considered trying to pursue any kind of job or career related to it. I would always say, “Oh no, my technique is way too weak for that” or “I just don’t have the right body type.” To be fair, I was right about those things. To say that today’s dance industry is “brutal” would probably be putting it lightly – and to be honest, I assumed that pursuing my passion for dance would only end in rejection.

Now, I’m beginning to believe that I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Of course, I’m only seventeen and going into my senior year of high school, so what do I know, right? I won’t sit here and tell you that I’ve suddenly unlocked the key to ultimate acceptance in the dance world, no matter your shape, size, color, or technique. But what I can tell you is that in just two and a half weeks, I’ve fallen in love with dance all over again, in a completely fresh and new way that I didn’t even know was possible.

This summer, I was able to participate in a spiritually nurturing and artistically challenging dance experience through a Summer Intensive run by Zion Dance Project. I re-learned the value of dance in this world, not to mention experienced inner healing and breakthrough in the area of dance. I learned that in the midst of all the comparison, competition, and toxicity of the dance world, there is something more – something deep and pure, something sacred, and something beautifully artistic about the way we humans were created to move.

And honestly, something tells me I haven’t even scratched the surface of whatever this sacred calling of mine is.

The Summer Series, as ZDP calls it, opened my eyes to a world of possibilities in dance. I received a mental and spiritual reset that equipped me with new ideas, strategies, and passions for my future as a dancer. My mindset has completely shifted, and I can now confidently say that I am a Kingdom dancer, and my future in dance is just getting started.

Thank you, Passages Arts Connection, from the bottom of my heart, for putting your faith in me and supporting my pursuit of dance. I didn’t even let myself get excited or hopeful when I was accepted into the intensive because I assumed I wouldn’t be able to pay for it. But my life has been changed by this experience, all because of the generosity of Passages Arts Connection and their determination to support kids and teenagers like me. I will forever be thankful for being blessed by the humble generosity of Passages; I will never forget their bountiful sponsorship or their kind words of encouragement and support.

It warms my heart that a non-profit like Passages Arts Connection would so selflessly support someone in my position, and that they recognize the magnitude of the impact that dance and the arts can have on this world. Passages, I wish you the best, and I pray that you are able to continue to bless others as you have blessed me.