Caroline Ruth Burk is an 11-year-old dancer from Texas. She dances at The PAC.
“Dance gives me purpose. I love when someone asks me what I do for fun or if I play any sports. I proudly proclaim that I am a dancer!”
Tell us about your dance experience!
My mom put me in my first dance class when I was 17 months old, and I immediately fell in love! I haven’t stopped dancing since. I danced in my first competition season when I was 3 years old, and then my family moved. Finding a new studio was scary and hard. I wasn’t able to compete for a few years, as I had to prove myself at the new studio, but I persevered and kept dancing in recreational classes. Once I joined the team, I loved being back on stage and competing! I enjoy all aspects of the competition season. From the backstage fun and the performances to the epic award ceremonies, dance is where I belong.
I moved studios last season, and I joined the dance convention circuit. I also competed my first solo! What a thrill to be on stage sharing my tap dance with the audience. Before I took the stage each time, I would tell myself to “breathe in excellence, breathe our success.” Success, to me, is having fun on stage and doing my best. I am now in my second season with my new studio, and I loved learning my second solo. I look forward to the conventions and competitions to showcase all of the hard work me and my teammates have put in. Dance friends are the best friends!
How does dance have a positive impact on your life?
Dance has a positive impact on my life because it allows me to escape my anxiety and just be free to express myself. Dance allows me to showcase my creativity and share the art form that I love. Dance gives me purpose. I love when someone asks me what I do for fun or if I play any sports. I proudly proclaim that I am a dancer!
I love all of the time I get to spend with my parents as they drive me to and from the dance studio, competitions, and conventions. I love talking about dance with my mom, who grew up dancing too! My great-grandma always supports me, and I get so excited when she attends my dance events. Dance keeps me connected to my family.
Dance has also taught me many lessons. I have learned the value of hard work and commitment. I know what it means to be a part of a team. In dance, I have experienced major successes and disappointing results. I have learned to balance my emotions and realized that my worth isn’t based on what another people thinks of me.
Dance has given me life long friends and mentors who believe deeply in me. Dance has shaped the person I am today!
How do you want to use dance to have a positive impact on your community?
I want to use dance to encourage others to be confident in who they are. I want others to freely share their creativity and not worry about what other people think.
I want to use dance to motivate others to stay true to themselves even if it isn’t popular. I love to tap dance. Tap has never been the most popular genre at any of my studios, and I was once even told that I should pursue another genre. I stayed true to my love of tap, even when my friends didn’t want to do it, and I am so thankful that I did. It brings me so much joy!
My parents always tell me to shine my light; I want to bring joy to others through dance!
