It was August 2007 when senior Michelle Tuzman and her dance partner placed second in the USA Dance Nationals Championship. Not only had they reached their goal, but have opened the door for future competitions for Tuzman.
She has been dancing for nine years. For her, performing is the best feeling.
A lot of work goes into Tuzman’s competitions. Not only does she take lessons three times a week, but she has to travel to competitions during school vacations, times when many high school students relax. Dance is not only time consuming, but also more expensive to keep up than many other sports.
Tuzman’s mother Victoriya knows that this lifestyle can spoil a child. For Tuzman, this wasn't the case.
As she brought her dancing to new levels, “no one saw the difference,” Tuzman’s mother said.
Tuzman continued to pursue her love of dancing through teaching. She thought that it would be the “most fun and entertaining job.” For three and a half years she has been teaching the very basics and more advanced routines as well.
She realizes that teaching isn’t easy. Students look for certain qualities in a teacher. “You have to meet those expectations,” said Tuzman.
Her mother agrees. “You can be the best dancer in the world and a horrible teacher,” she said.
Additionally, Tuzman teaches children for free. The students come to her house about once a week, but aren’t tied down to an exact schedule. For her, these lessons are the most rewarding.
But her contribution doesn’t end there. Tuzman and her dance partner perform at charity events as well. She has an upcoming event supporting children with cancer. This past summer she performed for the same cause but her audience was children instead of adults.
Though the charity events are less frequent than competitions, they are also less stressful. In events like these, it’s more about trying “to please other people to make them feel better” said Tuzman.
Placing second at the National Championship, Tuzman has put a lot of effort into her dancing so far. “She wasn’t born to be a dancer,” said Tuzman’s mother. “She became a dancer.”
