Kay-Lin Koh is a seventeen-year-old dancer from Bristol, Connecticut. She dances at NutmegPAC.

“[Dance] has allowed me to express myself in ways that allow those who watch to understand my emotions…It has opened the world up to my expression.”

How does dance have a positive impact on your life?

In a short period of time, dance has quickly become both my creative escape, as well as an emotional coping device. I’ve always had difficulty expressing myself through words, and immediately found I could do so easily through dance. It has allowed me to express myself in ways that allow those who watch to understand my emotions and message; it has allowed me a freedom of expression like no other and given me the ability to write my emotions with my body. It has opened the world up to my expression. And I am eternally grateful for that ability.

How do you want to use dance to have a positive influence on your community?

Dance portrays emotions so that anyone watching can feel the agony, uncertainty, hope, or happiness the dancer wishes to express; one that can share stories beyond the ear, or simply the eye. I believe dance is larger than it’s given credit for. It may not solve world hunger, or stop a war, but everybody feels lonely, uncertain, and sad, and especially now, people need to know they aren’t alone. I believe dance is one of the best ways to share this message and comfort each other, and I hope to be able to share that now, and in the future.

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Showstopper Magazine Online is a site for teens to get connected, inspired, and creative! We are always talking about the latest trends in lifestyle, beauty, fashion, music, and of course, dance! We were founded by the creatives at Showstopper, America’s #1 Dance Competition, as another way we hope to add a little sparkle to your day!