A Life in Dance
My dancing journey began at six or seven when I performed a freestyle solo to the soulful tune of Somewhere Over The Rainbow at my school's talent show. It was then that I realized my love for dancing. Upon turning eight, my mother enrolled me in dance classes at Pepperets, where I was first introduced to the world of dance seriously. As I turned 13, I began to study at the prestigious Napa Valley Dance Studio. I continued my dance education as a freshman at Napa High when their dance program was initiated. At 16, I was blessed with the opportunity to study under Rec Russell, who became; my most influential dance instructor. For six years, I trained with him at Napa Valley College, where I choreographed three dance solos: Moving Montra (1995), A Leaf In the Wind (1996), and Popcorn (1997). Rec Russell was the most inspirational instructor, and I will forever be grateful for his long-lasting guidance.
When I became an adult, there wasn't much dancing in Napa, so when I was 24, I bravely moved with my family to Berkeley, California, to pursue my love for dance and further my education. With persistence and hard work, I discovered the magic of various dance styles, including Irish Cheili, social ballroom dancing, and Victorian ballroom. I even had the opportunity to perform as a veiled dancer with the Silk Road Caravan troupe at different fairs. I continued my dance journey by studying Ballet for three years at Berkeley Ballet Theater. Even after moving back to Napa in 2011, I didn't relinquish my passion for dance. I took more classes at Napa Valley College while pursuing my costuming, design, and academic education. In 2020 I graduated from Napa Valley College with degrees in Graphic Design, Political Science, and History.