Bronlyn Ward is a fourteen-year-old dancer from Chillicothe, Missouri. She dances at Ballet Arts.
“Dancing is a form of self-expression, and it helps me to bring out my emotions without ever feeling embarrassed.”
How does dance have a positive impact on your life?
Dance has always been a second home to me and an escape from all of my problems. Dancing is a form of self-expression, and it helps me to bring out my emotions without ever feeling embarrassed. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without dance. It’s just a way of life for me. Dancing lets me let loose and let everything out and just have fun–sway with the music, shake your hips, or do a trick! Whenever I feel down, I can just turn on some music, and I’m immediately calmed down.
How do you want to use dance to have a positive influence on your community?
Growing up in a small rural community where sports, such as volleyball and basketball, are the focus, I have found my favorite place to be is the dance studio downtown. Now that I am one of the older dancers, I try to make an impact with the younger dancers and show them how fun it can be. At my recent recital, a young dancer was crying and scared to go on stage. I gave her some words of encouragement that gave her confidence that stayed with her the entire night! I try to encourage kids in our community that if sports are not their thing, dance might be!
