Monday, October 12, 2009

In dance Melissa Holthaus lets go and moves with the music

What people may not realize about dance is that, “It is really about strength and durability. It tests your limits and you have to try and try again,” Anoka Ramsey Community College student, Melissa Holthaus, said.
Since the age of three, Holthaus has been dancing. She can’t even imagine what life would be like if she had never started it.
“I think something would be missing and I would feel a void,” Holthaus said.
Unsure why she joined a dance class at such a young age, Holthaus thinks a dancer on TV probably caught her attention. And, because she looked up to her cousins, Jennifer and Alycia Holthaus, when she was little, they were always in dance and inspired her as well.
Holthaus said that dance has affected every part of her life.
“From the time I was very little and started it and my whole family would come out to watch me at my recitals to now, I am still loving it and needing it to be happy,” Holthaus said.
In particular, her mother has been the most supportive. She has not missed a single dance event and paid for everything her daughter needed to dance.
“I wouldn't have been able to do it without her,” Holthaus said.
From 16 years of testing her limits, Holthaus said the best reason to dance is the stress relief benefits from just letting go and moving with the music.
“It takes my mind off of things and makes me feel better if something is bothering me,” she said.
Holthaus favorite dance memory is when she convinced best friend Alisha to join her dance team in high school. Because Alisha was only interested in trying hip hop, Holthaus learned a whole new style of dance.
Before that, Holthaus had only done ballet, jazz and lyrical. But, because she gave hip hop a try, that year was actually the best dance year of her life.
“Not only had I found another style I loved, but my best friend was right there with me,” Holthaus said.
Holthaus said that dance is not only something that no one can ever take away, but it’s something a person can always take with them.
“Dance is always there. It doesn't matter where I am or what I am doing, I will just start dancing,” she said.
Meanwhile, “I’m just living in the moment, and loving the life I have,” Holthaus said. She was dancing, of course.

1 comment:

  1. I really like the way you worded this story True. It was such an intriguing story, and the way you wrote it was quite inspirational. Also I love Missy's story!

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