“To Mayfield's future dancers, trust us when we say it won't be as scary as you may think. I can say from experience that I felt like I wouldn't belong, I wasn't going to be good enough, and that my nerves overcame my excitement. I entered a brand new school knowing no one, but I immediately knew that dance class would be home and my safe place after just the first day. I learned from some of the most beautiful dancers, and they helped me build my own confidence. Our teachers will never let you feel anything less than the most extraordinary dancers as well as people. You will make friends and deep connections with people that will simply warm your heart for a lifetime. The experiences you are given to create, grow, and be your true self with no judgement will be irreplaceable. Mayfield Dance has so deeply impacted my life and shaped me into who I am now that it will forever have a piece of my heart. Please take in every moment you can, and you will leave with the most bittersweet memories and magic to take with you in your next adventure.”

— Emma Piercey

“A major highlight that stands out to me from my grade 9 year in the dance program at Mayfield would definitely be our class performance for the Nutcracker. This was such a memorable moment for me because it was what brought our whole class together and made us work as a team. Without this experience, I would not have been able to meet the wonderful people that I did, who share the same passion as me. Walking into the dance studio to practice our class piece was always a sigh of relief as I got to see the people I love and get away from the stress of high school. Overall, dancing at Mayfield is definitely a dream come true! It is a magical place where you become a huge family with all the dancers surrounding you. Creating our class Nutcracker piece was an awesome dance experience where I became close with everyone in my class and created positive memories that will last a lifetime!”

— Brooklyn Quinlan

“My grade 9 year was full of positive experiences, highlights, and making memories. Something that really stands out in this program are the bonds you are able to form. The dance program really becomes your second family as you are coming to a new school where you may know a few people or maybe none at all! The teachers and my fellow classmates have always been so supportive and understanding. Also, being in a program where you can work with people that share the same love and passion for dance that you have, makes the experience so much more memorable! The dance program has and continues to help me grow as not just a dancer but a person in general, it has helped me create memories and learn lessons that will last a lifetime!”

— Shannon Park

"Being a Mayfield Dancer has allowed me to flourish and mature in so many ways. As a dancer, being creative is something that I had hardly experienced as studio dance is very structured and the choreography is given to you. And where there is a place for that, I really wanted to branch out and create something that I could be excited about! These four years felt like an eternity to me in the sense that I never got tired of coming to school everyday and being able to come into a place where my mind can be open and my body can move freely in whatever way it wanted. I could learn new things and be inspired to perform the best that I could. Once I warmed up to the school and the teachers I didn’t let anything or anyone stop me from achieving my own greatness in dance. Dance has given me a safe space to come to with any emotion or feeling and know that it is all a part of a journey that we are all dancing through together!

And to the grade 8 students, please don’t let these years pass you by.  Four years seems long but really it isn’t so find it within yourself to fully embrace all the beautiful things this program has to offer. Audition for lead roles in shows, join dance companies, and volunteer! You won’t get every role you plan on getting because that is the reality of the dance world, but always keep working on your craft. Ask questions ... all the questions you possibly have because it is our job to be endlessly curious about dance! You will gain confidence as you progress so don’t get down on yourself or expect that you will be 100% all in and invested instantly... high school is an interesting place and not enjoying it would be your biggest regret. (The one you never want to have). You are all amazing and wonderful people who love dance and are always searching for your own personal perfection. But learning and creating and being your best is the perfect way to have the time of your life here at Mayfield!! Dance your dreams.”

— -Matthew Sparks (Sparkles)

"The Mayfield Dance program has benefited my growth in so many ways. I have been able to expand my creativity and be able to create pieces both for myself and with others. It's an amazing opportunity to be able to explore more about myself as a person, and feed off of the talent and energy of those around me. I have also learned to put my best foot forward not just in dancing but through life because being able to say you did your best is so important and beneficial to both your physical and mental health. We have also focused on not just technique but performance as well which allows viewers to be drawn to you and put at ease. Performance makes all the difference when dancing because it shows just how much the dancer is truly enjoying themself. Dancing allows an internal feeling of pure happiness and joy to emerge from every single part of your body, spreading contentment all around. I would say to the grade 8 students entering into the Mayfield Dance program to take chances and audition for as many things as possible. It allows you to experience and learn many different life lessons both about yourself and audition processes if you are planning to dance in the future. I would also say to live in the moment. The 4 years go by extremely quick, and it'll pass you by if you don't live in the moment. Also speak up, if you aren't clear on something make sure to ask, there aren't any foolish questions and it's so much better to get clarification on things than not and do things incorrectly. Teach yourself to be very time managed. If you leave things to the last second it can get to be too much and cause lots of stress. Be on top of your work, but also plan out time where you can relax and have fun. The dance program is such an amazing community to be apart of and you're going to make plenty of lifelong friends, just be true to yourself and take everything in!”

— Azenalae Glaze- Domingue

"My grade 9 year in Mayfield was a very positive experience; the highlight of it all was the kindness from everyone in the program. Even before I came to Mayfield, before my audition, I asked a Mayfield dance student who was going to Mayfield at the time about how the auditions would go. She helped me prepare even though we were strangers and only vaguely knew each other from going to the same school for a year. This hospitality was shown in all students in the program and my fears of feeling isolated were dissipated on my first day here when every one of us got along simply for our love of dance. Anytime I needed help with something, there was always someone in my class or other classes who were more than willing to lend a hand with no judgement. In this program, I’ve made friendships over our mutual love of dance that I cherish and will continue making memories with for the next years of high school.”

— Waliyya Hossain