As one grows older, there are many activities that open up for passion’s taking. Some are drawn to football or painting, and others are drawn to dancing. Grace Hedlund, an Etowah High School senior, chose dance.
Dance provides an outlet for self-expression, and for Hedlund, this means she is able to show off her identity as she performs. It creates a judgment free zone for everyone to be themselves, which many people struggle with in day-to-day life. Taking part in a couple of different competition companies at Stepping out Performing Arts, Hedlund finds unity in wanting to perform the best for her teammates.
“I love the expression that comes with dance. [Dance] really feels like a second home,” Hedlund said.
Hedlund has dedicated herself to the sport. Most dancers practice every day to perfect their routine, and this can be quite draining, as dance gives the body the same amount of exercise as a jog, making it a high intensity sport. Hedlund practices several days a week for hours at a time and has been for most of her life.
“I have danced for fourteen years, but I have been dancing for eight years at the studio I am in now,” Hedlund said
There are many different dance genres that vary immensely in style, and some genres, like Ballet, require a generally slower tempo while something like Hip Hop is a lot more fast paced. Hedlund finds the most connection with the slow lyrical styles, as she particularly loves the story one can tell in these dances.
“Dance allows me to express myself in so many ways,” Hedlund said.
Hedlund is grateful for the years she spent improving in dance and is excited to discover what the future holds.