Dancing Through Life

“The hair on your head affects people and is a testament to the world about who you are” (Rowley 102). After reflecting about the decisions Tabatha Rowley had taken during her life, she wrote Hair Chronicleswhich is a very open and honest reflection on how various life events took her on my journeys with different hairstyles. When reminiscing about big changes in my life, I instantly turn to music. I have been a dancer for as long as I can remember, and a main part of every family gathering was dancing to music from many different genres. Being trained in dance since I was four years old, I remember how I always found classical music too slow for my tiny bodies’ adrenaline rush. I was much more drawn to jazz class, where the warmups and routines were to Beyoncé’s newest hit or the latest boy band single that was topping the charts. I would practice my dance routines for hours in my room with my sister, who is six years older than me and was also a dancer, leading up to the mini talent show my parents had to endure every week. 

The weekends were the best days, where we, my sister and I, would arrive from dance rehearsals to watch Disney films. I would say this music has been one of the most influential things in my life, considering it’s been very prevalent, and how much the morals presented in each story have inspired me throughout my life. Also, many television programs in Disney Channel were a huge part of my musical journey, as the protagonists of each show released their own music and are some of these artists I still listen to today. The original movies were a big part too, as I have fond memories of memorizing all the words and dance routines to songs from movies like The Cheetah Girls and High School Musical with my friends. 

My parents were a part of my musical journey as well. I find it funny how there has always been a fight for the radio between my dad’s rocker style and my mom’s Cuban Salsa background, which I believed shaped my broad taste for music. The most influential aspect of my musical journey has been my sister, as she introduced me to various genres like pop, rock and even opera. Fast-forward to my teenage years and the present, I know my taste in music has changed with every stage of my life. For every emotion, if I’m depressed, excited, anxious, happy, unmotivated, empowered or anything in between, music has always been there for me. Through all of its aspects: the message, the beat, the vocals; it’s all a part of freedom of expression. Whether it’s dancing, singing or just listening to music, my mind feels at home. As I continue to dance through life, I will always use music, as Rowley expressed, “In an effort to figure out who I am” (105). 

Ballet Recital 2008

Jazz Recital 2006