Ava Williams is a 15-year-old dancer from Maryland. She dances at ZD Dance Academy.
“…regardless of where dance takes me, I know in the future that I had an objective as to why I spent so much time perfecting my craft.”
Tell us about your dance experience!
As a dancer that didn’t start at the youngest age of 3, in previous years I used to think that others that started earlier would excel further than I did. Over the past two years, I learned that is not the case. Those days where I felt like I didn’t look like the dancer next to me made me realize it’s about the effort and work you put in. For example, when you take extra hours to train and go beyond what’s expected, that will get you closer and closer to your “goal.” I’m currently 14 years old, and I have started applying for various jobs in the dance industry. Although I may have not booked every single job, there were several I did book. All in all, I’ve felt accomplished with what has been done so far and know there are many more amazing things ahead.
How does dance have a positive impact on your life?
Over the past eight years that I’ve been in the dance industry, dance has had a major impact on my life. There have been many teachers that I’ve worked with and continue to work with that have shifted my perspective on the dance world. One way that dance has had an impact on my life is regardless of where dance takes me, I know in the future that I had an objective as to why I spent so much time perfecting my craft. In the process of having fun, dance has helped me in my personal life in different ways to adapt certain things; even in an academic setting.
How do you want to use dance to have a positive impact on your community?
I want to use dance as a positive impact on my community by showing others that anyone has the ability to dance. Dance is not always about perfectly pointed feet, straightened legs, and amazing turns and jumps. It’s about the passion behind what you say you love; making any movement have a purpose which will make it your own. Often times, people do things without knowing why they do something just because it’s a trend or something they find it interesting. This would present a positive impact on my community because it could encourage people to understand why they do what they do.
