Victoria Silva is a 16-year-old dancer from Massachusetts. She dances at Rhythm Dance Company.
“Dance fills me up and makes me feel complete. I feel like I have a purpose to share my love for dance and the story I
am portraying whether in the studio
or on stage.”
Tell us about your dance experience!
I have danced since I was 2 years old. It has shaped me into who I am today. It has taught me discipline and perseverance. Every time I leave the dance studio, I immediately feel rejuvenated and inspired. The dance studio is my home, I feel safe, secure, loved, and accepted. The escape that dance is makes life a little less stressful. I had a scare a couple years ago when I started having back pain and realized I have a 30-degree curve in my spine from scoliosis. The X-ray was scary to see. I have had to learn to stretch and care for my body and accept that I am different and that my spine needs extra attention, and rather than it impeding my dance, it has helped me to be even more aware and intentional with my movement. Nothing will ever stop me from my passion! I hope dance will be a part of my life always.
How does dance have a positive impact on your life?
The community, the creativity, and the emotional expression that dance provides for me is so special. Every day I train at my studio, and the motivation and energy I feel from those around me is like no other. The support system and the sense of empathy throughout the dance community is so beautiful. Dance fills me up and makes me feel complete. I feel like I have a purpose to share my love for dance and the story I am portraying whether in the studio or on stage. I feel like dance has opened me up to new possibilities and experiences that have pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me a better and more whole person.
How do you want to use dance to have a positive impact on your community?
I want to teach others that it doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like, or if you struggle with something that makes you different, dance is for everyone. Dance is an inclusive art and will allow a release that will make you feel alive. I think everyone should feel the exhilaration of dance and feel included, supported, and loved. I want to be a mentor to others and motivate them to be the best version of themselves they can be!
