Isabella Cortes is a 15-year-old dancer from Florida. She dances at Academy of Dance Dynamics.

“[dance] is a powerful tool that can be used to raise awareness for important issues we face today by helping spread a message. Whether that’s to speak out against injustices and inequality or to encourage others…”

Tell us about your dance experience!

I started dancing when I was 2 years old and competing since I was 7. In total, I have been dancing for thirteen years. I have done numerous competitions and conventions over the years where l’ve had the opportunity to learn new techniques and improve my skills. Thanks to all of my teachers who have molded me into the dancer I am today, I have won first place overall at nationals a few times along with other achievements.

How does dance have a positive impact on your life?

Dance has been a miracle in my life and has also gotten me through some tough times, but most importantly dance has been my escape. It has played an impacting role in my life. When life brought troubles, I would go to the studio and let all my emotions flow while I danced all my troubles away. It has helped me grow as a person and taught me many life lessons. I was born with Tetralogy of Fallot which is a heart defect. When I was a baby, I had to have two open heart surgeries, one when I was 3 months and another when I was 4 months old. I was told by the doctors that I would need another surgery when I turned 7, 11, and 14. They said I would probably not be as athletic as all the other kids. However dance has been what motivates me to keep going and has saved me. Thanks to God, I have not had to get any surgeries since then, and I am now a very athletic person which my doctors say is incredible. My team is my family and they have always supported me through tough times, dance is something that brings people together creating an unbreakable bond.

How do you want to use dance to have a positive impact on your community?

I would love to show others the power dance holds and the beauty of it. Dancers are able to channel their emotions and put it into not only an art form but a language that allows others to see the world from their eyes. It is a powerful tool that can be used to raise awareness for important issues we face today by helping spread a message. Whether that’s to speak out against injustices and inequality or to encourage others, showing them nothing is impossible when you put your all into it.

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