Class of 2022 Senior Feature: Grace Nicholson

It’s hard to believe that it’s time to start the countdown towards our graduating senior’s “lasts” – their graduations and final recital will be here before we know it.  On the blog today: continuing this year’s Senior Features with a little bit more about the dancers you’ll see performing in the Senior Dance and a Senior Solo at recital.  We love celebrating our graduating seniors!

Senior Year at The Pointe

For many dancers, dancing all the way through their senior year is a big goal and a major accomplishment – many of our graduating seniors started dancing with us when they were in preschool!  We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their lives for so long and to get to watch them grow up into confident, thoughtful, and hard-working young adults.

Senior year is a special one – many of our seniors take classes and serve as Junior Faculty at The Pointe – assisting in classes with younger students and even helping with some competition practices over studio breaks.  Seniors are all featured on canvases that we’ll print and put up later this fall in the hallway that will be graduation gifts for them showcasing their well-earned skill and artistry in dance.

You’ll see our seniors dance with Miss Vanessa in a group senior dance choreographed by the dancers at the recital, and each senior will have the opportunity to perform a solo of their choice.  Giving these dancers an opportunity to showcase their performance skills and experiment with choreography is one of our favorite studio traditions.

 

Senior Feature: Grace Nicholson

Grace’s Dance Bio

Grace has grown up dancing at the studio – she was in her first class with us when she was three years old! In addition to studio classes and competition, she has been a member of Linn-Mar High School’s dance team – competing on their nationally ranked Varsity Poms for two years. Recently, she auditioned for – and made! – the Iowa State University Dance Team! She will continue to perform and compete in college at ISU next year.

“Grace is a powerhouse dancer and phenomenal student. She’s coachable, willing to do what it takes to improve and be her best. While Grace is naturally gifted, she matches her talent with an impeccable work ethic for amazing results. She is a standout performer, and a powerful versitile dancer who can show classical ballet technique in one routine and precision in the next. Grace is successful and humble, always lifting others up while she pushes herself to be her best.”

– Miss Vanessa

In Her Own Words…

1. How long have you been dancing?

I’ve been dancing at the studio since I was 3 years old. During that time I competed for 5 years, and now I am a member of my schools’ dance team.

2. What is your favorite dance that you have performed?

My favorite routine I’ve ever preformed was probably a hip hop competition dance called “Candyland”.

3. Favorite dance memory?

My favorite dance memory would have to be walking to Wendy’s during company rehearsals and getting 4 for 4s with my teammates.

4. Favorite genre of dance?

My favorite genre has always been jazz because I really enjoy using big facials while I preform.

5. Finish this sentence: I love dancing because…

I love dancing because it allows me to express myself in a way that words can’t.

6. What are you looking forward to the most in finishing out your senior year in dance?

Being able to see how much I’ve grown as a dancer over the past 15 years.

7. Plans after High School?

I’m attending Iowa State University with an undecided major, and will perform and compete on the Iowa State Dance Team.

8. Advice for younger dancers?

Hard work truly pays off. Talent can only get you so far and your work ethic will be push you even further.