Dance Student Testimonials
“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
"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)
“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
"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
"In grade 9, I had many memorable and positive experiences in the Mayfield Dance Program. In the studio, there is only positive energy and everyone is supported. I love that about the program! Especially during the presentations! The teachers and classmates are all understandable and great to work with! Collaborating with your classmates is a great way to get to know each other and create something magical! My grade 9 experience was amazing and yours will be too!”
-Arianna Pratile
"For my first year in the Mayfield Dance program I had many amazing and memorable experiences. In general I love the atmosphere whenever in class. Everyone is so supportive especially during presentations and it's always so much fun. Something I especially enjoyed is creating pieces with classmates. It's a great experience always working with new people and when done it's an amazing feeling, especially the excitement when presenting. Overall, my grade 9 year was amazing! Although scary at first, you will certainly get used to it and realize there's no reason to be scared. This is somewhere you are sure to make many lasting memories.”
- Addison Sookdeo
"My grade 9 experience was such a positive and happy year! It was so awesome experimenting and creating with other people through dance. Mayfield provides you the comfort and love to dance!”
- Valeria Chiappetta
"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
“I think at Mayfield dance I have grown the most in my creative process. How I create and perform movements has changed. Mayfield has given me a chance to look at all types of movement and dance and to enhance my own. Grade 9 can be very scary and intimidating but my advice would be do not let others intimidate you and to get as involved as possible in the dance program.”
- Eden Thomas
"My biggest highlight of my grade 9 experience in the Mayfield Dance program was the Nutcracker. We all had such a spectacular time creating our pieces and performing while making new memories, connections and friendships that will last for a very long time! I remember us all walking through the door to the studio not knowing each other very well and feeling a little intimidated. Now it's kind of funny thinking about how shy we all were because of all the laughs and great memories we now share, it's almost like no force could pull us apart. The Nutcracker is a time I will never forget and I will always carry this memory! One thing I've learned from my grade 9 experience is don't wish things away. You can't skip ahead to the future, so just live in the moment because time flies by super fast and when it ends, you're going to wish you could go back and re-live those moments you were wishing ahead of. The Mayfield Dance program is such a positive and fun environment!”
- Ciera Davies
"The Mayfield Dance Program has done so much for me; especially as a dancer and artist. I believe I have grown immensely through the opportunities and experiences Mayfield Dance has given me. Through the program I have grown in my technique, as well I have been able to discover why I dance, and how my body moves. Additionally when becoming an artist, this program has helped me explore what my own choreography is, and has given me the opportunity to find my own style and movement. With growing as a dancer and artist, I have been able to grow as a person, most of all in my confidence. Some advice I would give to the grade 8 students entering the Mayfield Dance Program is to always participate and try your hardest. I encourage them to audition for as many things they can and step out of their comfort zones because as you exceed your own limits you begin to grow and learn more. Also working hard and putting in the work pays off, it is important to try your best as this will let you receive good criticism and a better chance at reaching your goals. That is why I highly encourage them to take chances and always try to do your best; this will definitely pay off when you graduate, trust me all grade 12s will tell you the same."
-Leyla Draganovic
"I think that the Mayfield Dance Program has changed me in ways I never thought possible. The program has pushed me to think outside of the box and try new things that I wouldn't try when choreographing a composition for class. I have been given many opportunities to explore my creative abilities and broaden my dance knowledge which has helped me become a better dancer in every aspect. Some advice I would give to any grade 8's coming to the program would be to not be afraid to mess up and make mistakes because you can take those mistakes and mess ups and apply them in the future to help you grow. Another bit of advice I would give them is to not be afraid to think outside of the box and move in ways your body might not be used to, don't always use jumps and turns when you're stuck with choreography venture out and explore new and different ways to move even if it may seem or look awkward at first"
- Rayne Blasutti
"The Mayfield Dance Program has given me so many amazing opportunities to grow and improve myself as a dancer. Throughout the years I have been able to focus on my technique and use it and ways I never thought I could. I have also been taught how to perform and think outside the box when creating compositions. Due to this, I was able to find my own dance style and choreograph pieces along the way. I am thankful that Mayfield Dance has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and has allowed me to share my own choreography over the years.
Some advice I would give to the future dancers here at Mayfield would be to audition for everything! The first audition is always the scariest but over time it helps you become more confident and retain choreography better. I would also advise the future grade 8's to become friends with everyone despite the grade difference. Here in the Mayfield Dance Program we are all a family and we are here to support each other no matter what. All in all, I hope that the future grade 8's make most of the dance program because once you're in grade 12, it goes by in a blink of an eye."
- Shreya Kaushik
“I feel that I have grown as not only a dancer but a person. I am now more self-aware and learning my style of leadership and creative process. This has been useful in all of my classes and in the real world. I have been able to manage time much more than when I began and the idea of what dance is "supposed to" look like has completely shifted. I am no longer limited to competition dance and I am able to separate my personal style from what I have been taught before high school. “
- Sonali Chandarana
“A few words of my advice that I’d love to give to future grade 9 students entering into the wonderful Mayfield Dance Program is, put your heart and soul into your movement. Never let anyone make you feel as though you can’t achieve your dance goals. Always enter with a positive mind set because when you get to be a part of the program, anything is possible!”
-Valentina Salpietro
“I feel that I have grown as a dancer and as an artist in the Mayfield Dance Program because I have been able to explore many different styles of dance through workshops and compositions and I have also learned a lot about choreography, especially when having to do solo compositions. I have also grown as a dancer as I have learned how to dance more freely, and be more open and confident while performing.” Some advice I would give to grade 8 students entering into the Mayfield Dance Program would be to not be afraid to make a mistake or of judgement. This dance program is very inclusive, and everyone is a team and supports one another. Also, do not be afraid to try new things and do things out of your comfort zone, I have gained so much confidence and have grown as a dancer from trying new things, and I am very thankful that I did so."
- Sarah Casha
“My grade 9 experience in the dance program was great. Just being able to dance at school each day was such a positive experience. So many memorable moments including learning different styles of dance and of course the Nutcracker performance. Seeing the production come together was such a highlight.”