By DANIELLE GIANNANDREA
Staff Writer
Can you do the splits?
No, I am not a contortionist.
No, I can not do flips.
No, I am a dancer, a passionate one.
No, it is not easy.
No, I do not starve myself.
No, we do not have a pyramid.
No, our moms do not scream at each other.
No, I am not built like a Barbie.
Yes, a dancer.
Really?
So that’s how you get those strong muscles.
Going to the gym, huh?
Eating a strict diet, huh?
Working out, huh?
Oh, so you have done ballet since you were three?
Oh, so you think that you are better than everyone else?
Oh, so you actually train?
Oh, so you consider it athletic?
No, I will not show you a “twirl”.
No, I will not show you my bruises.
No, I will not pop your back.
No, I will not show you how to pop all of your joints.
Thank you. I like your leggings too.
I do not know whether people know that dance is a sport.
No, I did not perform in Swan Lake.
Yeah. Uh-huh. Tutus.
Uh-huh. Yeah. Easy.
Yeah, dance is hard.
Yeah, dance requires power and strength.
Yeah, dance is training.
Yeah, dance is expressive.
This is not a way to get out of P.E.
This is a passion.
Yes, you may see me whipping out my turns in the grocery store, is that an issue?
Yes, I go through a pair of jazz shoes very quickly, do not worry about it, you are not paying for it!
Yes, I do find bobby pins randomly in my hair after dance, get over it!
Yes, I did pull a muscle, do not tell my dance teacher!
Yes, I do start dancing to random songs that come on, enjoy!
No, my favorite color is not pink.
No, I do not just throw my body around.
No, I control every movement.
Yes, I continue to dance through pain.
Yes, I am a perfectionist.
Yes, my joints hurt.
Yes, I love to dance.
Dance is rhythmic, athletic, artistic, and expressive.
