Hanna Brictson

Without my hero, I don't know where I would be in my life today. She has given me the courage to keep going, even when I didn't believe I had the strength. My dance teacher, Hanna Brictson, has taught me to believe in my ability to achieve my dreams. She has showed me that if you want something, and are willing to work as hard as you can for it, you can accomplish it. Her qualities of passion, bravery, and selflessness are what truly make her a hero.

Hanna Brictson and performer from

Not only did Hanna Brictson become a professional dancer right out of high school, but she also received numerous dance scholarships and awards for her work at a very young age. Only last year, at the age of twenty nine, Hanna Brictson set her first piece of choreography on her fellow women company members. Her piece premiered at a grand theater in Chicago, where hundreds of people gathered to watch the art she so thoughtfully created. In addition, she is currently the director of my performance company at Integrity School of Dance. She continues to take on more leadership roles, as she makes herself a prominent performer in the dance world.

Although my hero had the opportunity to be performing in LA , she chose to stay working in her home town, putting others before herself. Hanna Brictson lives in Chicago, but drives down to Elgin almost everyday of the week to teach class. Her professional company in Chicago recently decided to take a break, but she didn't take any of the job offers she was given in other areas of the country. She knew she made a commitment to all of her students and was selfless in her actions.

My hero is someone who is very close to my heart. For the past three and a half years, I have been learning from her in several different ways. Brictson has showed me how her effort pushed her to where she is today. Her fearlessness involving dance is something that I will always aspire to obtain. She is someone that I know I can go to when I have problems in my life, or when I need a shoulder to cry on. Her importance to me goes further than any art form. In my eyes, Hanna Brictson is the older sister I never had and an authentic role model.

Hanna Brictson is surely someone I will constantly strive to be like. She has never refrained from encouraging me to be the best dancer I can be. Through her I have been able to boost my confidence and exert myself to perform to the best of my capability. I am honored to have a person such as Hanna in my life, for she is someone that will never cease to inspire me.