Featured Dancer: Eyllah Babbitt
“What Dance Means To Me”
I consider dance as a very important aspect of my life, not only because it has been in my life for such a long time, but because it has allowed me to grow out of my shell. Ever since I was little I’ve always wanted to move my feet and jump around so when I was three years old I was put in a dance class and from that moment on it’s been an integral part of my life. Each dance class I have taken has been a new opportunity for me to learn something about myself and the different things I want to explore in movement and in life, and it truly means the world to me. For me, dance goes far beyond the preliminaries. Yes, dancing teaches us valuable life skills about responsibility, humility, and tolerance but for someone like me who is fortunate and lucky enough to live inside the movement of my body, dance is beyond that. It is interwoven into my life and has connected one moment to the next for me. From dance class where I can let go and share this beautiful art form with everyone in the room, or in an audition setting where everyone is fighting for the same spot, whatever the experience, I love them all.
“What Extensions Means To Me”
Before Extensions my Saturday mornings were pretty free. I would wake up, have breakfast and proceed to watch Netflix for the majority of the day. But one day my mom told me we were going to try a class at Extensions. I was pretty nervous. I wore a maroon leotard, pink tights, and a not so tight bun. When I walked into the dance studio I was immersed in a whole new different type of atmosphere. People we were talking to my right, practicing turns to my left and suddenly Lizzie Mackenzie walked in. Class had begun, and when Lizzie started showing plies I knew I was home. I wasn’t treated like an 11 year old; I was treated like a pre-professional dancer. By far I was the worst in the class; I didn’t know any combinations and I didn’t have any technique. But next week I came back, and I came back again and again. Until finally I decided to join the Extensions Dance Company. This is my fifth year on the company and each year is better than the last. Dancing on a team has not only taught me cooperation but also basic life skills that will prepare for the real world. I learned how to work together and push through difficult problems with the people around me. My Extensions company mates are my family, and they will be with me my entire life. Supporting and encouraging me through every step of my life. At Extensions we learn to lift each other up not put each other down. Before Extensions I had never been part of a youth dance company like this, and I was very scared at first. I came to realize that Extensions is an encouraging place that welcomes everyone. I’ve learned a lot about myself and my personal goals through the mentorship of Lizzie Mckenzie. I owe all of my accomplishments to the faculty and staff at Extensions Dance Center, and most importantly Lizzie Mackenzie.
“What I Aspire To Do After I Graduate”
Personally I have no idea what I want to do with my life; I know that I want dance to be a part of my life either in a major or small way, and I know I definitely want to go to University. I think it would be really cool if I become a United Nations representative and travel to different countries to provide dance programs. Dancing has helped me gain confidence to express my opinions in everyday situations. In school I have gained the confidence to share my own opinions in front of the entire class. I want to translate my success onto other kids around the world, providing them with the same opportunities I was able to have. I also love to travel so it would give me the opportunity to see the world and live new experiences. I also think it would be amazing if I got into college for dance, and purse a BFA in dance. I would then go one to join a company or maybe even start my own. I could go to rehearsal during the day and teach on the side. I think there are so many different pathways I could take and it’s all about finding out what I really love. All I know is that I love to dance and my plans for the future are wide open.
