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| Michaela is posing on pointe for a photoshoot (http://www.dancespirit.com/uncategorized/the-next- ((photo by Michel Schnater))) |
Michaela
DePrince was an orphan in a war torn country, who overcame many obstacles to be
the dancer she is today. I first became aware of my personal career hero when
my dance coach was telling the stories about amazing dancers. Michaela's story
intrigues me because as a freshman in high school, I am an aspiring dancer who
admires and looks up to how determined she was to overcome her obstacles. To
pursue a similar career, I plan to take as many dances classes I can, and to
keep competing each dance season to the best of my ability.
There are many
options and different paths to follow when pursuing a professional dance
career. Job related tasks of being a dancer includes choreography and
intensive and competitive dances. According to the Occupational Outlook
Handbook website, most modern dancers begin formal training during high school.
Colleges offer bachelor or master degrees in performing arts. The salary of a
choreographer can range from $18,570 per year, to $71,180 per year. Dancers and choreographers can find coaching jobs
either in large dance companies or smaller companies. This job is very intense
and competitive. Therefore, similar occupations include actors, art directors,
music directors and composers.
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| Michaela on stage (http://jelterps.blogspot.com/2015/03/another-beaut (Angela Sterling)) |
From a young age
DePrincedisplayed key aptitudes for a dancer. In the August 21, 2015 article,
"One-Time War Orphan Michaela DePrince Stars as Dancer with Dutch National
Ballet Company," on the Daily Signal website, the author states that she
discovered her dream when she found a torn picture of a ballet dancer in the
brutal and underprivileged orphanage she was living in. From then on, she
strives to become as advanced and happy as the dancer she saw in the
photograph. Although many people told her that she would never amount to
anything significant, she held her head high and grasped onto hope. These
traits later translated into skills that she needed later in her dance career.
Soon after she was adopted, her parents enrolled her in dance classes. However,
she was frowned upon because she was black. According to the article DanceTabs,
DePrince states that her instructors would say "people aren't ready for a
black Marie." Despite this, she pursued her dance career and became the youngest
dancer and Daily Signal reports that she was the youngest dancer at the Dance
Theater of Harlem in New York
City. She also received a scholarship to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in New York. Today, DePrince's dream of
being a professional dancer is unfolding before her eyes. In the July 6, 2012 article," Meet
an Incredible Teen Who Survived a Brutal Civil War in Africa to Become a
Professional Ballerina" on the Business Insider website the author states
that she graduated from the famous Jacqueline Onassis School at
the American Ballet Theater, she also made and appearance on "Dancing
with the Stars," and she performed on stages around the world. She starred
in a movie called "First Position, " a ballet documentary that takes
a closer look at the lives of children in the cut-throat world of ballet.
DePrince fought through racism and was determined to become the dancer she
dreamed of being as a young girl.
Michaela DePrince is
spreading her love of dance to other people as well. In the Business Insider
article, the author says that DePrince enjoys working with
young kids as an assistant. She worked at the Young Dancers program at the
American Ballet Theater. Along with teaching young kids, she also hopes to
eliminate the difficult and the tough race disadvantages of dance that are often overlooked. She hopes to play the white swan in Swan Lake so
people can see past the racism. In the Daily Signal Article, DePrince
states "I hope to inspire other young people who have faced adversity, so
that they can find a meaning to their lives," Also, her mom, Elaine
DePrince, shares that, "It has been a fascinating experience to watch
Michaela go from the bedraggled, tough little girl that she was to a
beautiful and gracious young woman who is so interested in helping
others." Michaela's determination and dedication shines through and
will be remembered by many dancers.
Michaela DePrince's determination and success has inspired me to
pursue a similar dream. To do this, in high school, I plan to be even more
involved in my dance studio, to take many private classes with my dance
coaches, and compete on multiple teams each season. During college, I would
like to earn a dance scholarship to the college of my dreams. Michaela DePrince
has also inspired me to help other people along the way and to stay dedicated
and determined throughout my dance journey. She once said, "When I talk to
groups of young people, I try to advise them to search for a dream and reach
for it." Finally, my dream is to enrich other people's lives through dance
and I'm going to go for it!
Page created on 6/4/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last edited 6/4/2016 12:00:00 AM
Polland , Jennifer. "Meet An Incredible Teen Who Survived A Brutal Civil War In Africa To Become A Professional Ballerina." Business Insider.
Jessen, Leah . "One-Time War Orphan Michaela DePrince Stars as Dancer with Dutch National Ballet Company." The Daily Signal.
Harss, Marina. Michaela DePrince – Junior Company, Dutch National Ballet.
