Every artist’s journey begins with a decision. Some choose paint or clay, others choose words; however, every once in a while, one will choose the performing arts, their only medium being themselves. Grace Clarke has been a dancer for as long as she can remember.
Clarke does not limit herself to one type of dance only. She has skills in many areas of dance and frequently showcases them during performances. Her most recent performance occurred here, at RHS in the gymnasium, and featured her tap dancing.
Clarke started dancing at eight years old and continues to practice her craft many times a week to this day. Currently she is working on her last performance with her studio, the Creative Motions Studio.
“I enjoy everything about [dance], but mostly the team camaraderie. CMS is my second home. With being at the same studio for a decade, it has allowed me to build strong relationships with the students as well as teachers,” Clarke said.
Clarke has been working with CMS for many years, nearly ten years now and has performed many times and learned many lessons with the studio. The studio will soon have its end-of-year recital. Clarke has been participating in these recitals since she was young, so this recital, her last recital with the studio, is somewhat of a bittersweet experience for her.
“I am excited to be able to perform one last time in front of my family and friends . . . This year has been one of my favorites. I have gotten so many new opportunities and have grown so much not just as a student, but as a person as well thanks to CMS . . . I am not excited that this is the end of the road for me at CMS; [it] has been my family for the last decade, and it will be hard to leave,” Clarke said.
Clarke’s childhood consisted of many visits to the doctor’s office due to some health complications. Dance, from that time, has been something that has helped her feel more at peace with her life. She comments on how it has impacted her throughout the years.
“For me, dance is a way I can express myself and show everyone who I truly am. Also, it has given me the opportunity to share my own (and others’) stories, without having to say or write a thing,” Clarke said.
Clarke graduated RHS a few days ago (May 23, 2024) and will attend Xavier University in the fall. She mentioned how she is excited about getting to try new things, join new clubs, and meet new people.
“I am excited for a change. Revere has been such a great community and school for me the last 12 years, but I want to try new things, meet new people, and start my pathway to my career,” Clarke said.
Many, if not most high school seniors decide on a college and a career path somewhat blindly. Clarke has been firm on both her career and school choice for some time now, and commented on why it is so significant to her.
“[I am going to study] nursing. I chose this path because I want to help people towards a happy, successful life . . . As a child with a bunch of medical issues, I spent a good portion of my life in and out of the hospital. I saw the impact the nurses made on me, and I wanted to do the same for others,” Clarke said.
The connection a student makes with a teacher is vital in the development of their skills not only at the art they pursue, but also in their lives. Clarke’s connection with her dance teacher, Natalie Orr-Andrea, has shown her the impact not only a teacher, but a mentor can have over one’s life.
“When I went through my ACL recovery process, she was always there for me whenever I needed it most. Not only did she send cards and gifts, but she also allowed me to come to all events including weekly classes, competitions, and the recital. Without her generosity, the process would have mentally been a lot harder for me to go through. I still felt like I was part of the team and did not get to miss out on anything,” Clarke said.
Orr-Andrea has been involved in dance for forty years and has owned her studio, the Creative Motions studio, for nearly thirteen years. Orr-Andrea has been a dance teacher for twenty-five years now, and comments on how her studio puts a special focus on a student’s individual needs.
“We have a high population of neurodivergent students, so my staff and I are constantly revisiting our curriculum and teaching methods. I recently received a grant to certify several of our instructors through Rhythm Works Integrative Dance to help ensure we are meeting our students’ needs,” Orr-Andrea said.
Orr-Andrea mentioned that she has worked hard throughout the years to make all students feel safe and welcome in her studio, independent of their age and skill as a dancer. She and her staff put a strong emphasis on the well-being of her students, whether that be physically or mentally.
“I place a premium on mental health and safety, so my staff and I are all certified through Youth Protection Association for Dance, and I adapt my classes to address what my students need in the moment as well as long term,” Orr-Andrea said.
Orr-Andrea has observed Clarke’s changes as a dancer throughout the years and comments on how Clarke has grown.
“Grace is a very hard worker and has always pushed herself and allowed me to push her to the next level, often moving through levels quickly. As a tap dancer, her rhythm and timing have improved, and she has learned to hone her performance skills. She is also always willing to step outside her comfort zone . . . She has also grown to be a strong, kind person who is generous of her time and thoughtful of others. She is always willing to help her team, teachers, or friends out and spends a lot of her own time volunteering,” Orr-Andrea said.
Orr-Andrea comments that she hopes to have impacted Clarke throughout her journey not only as a dancer, but a highschool student.
“I hope I have taught her to value herself and be able to see her own gifts and share them with the world. I think I, along with her family and community, have helped mold her into a hard worker and guided her through some of the tough years of adolescence,” Orr-Andrea said.
Clarke, as a rising freshman in college, gives her advice to highschool students, emphasizing key points of a well-rounded highschool experience.
“Go to homecoming, go to prom, go to football games with friends, go to the assemblies, go join a new club. There are a lot of things I look back on and regret not doing or at least trying . . . Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from achieving your goals. I have had so many setbacks in my life, especially regarding my medical history as a kid. Instead of accepting defeat, I persevered through many challenges and finally did achieve success. If I did not work hard and persevere, I would have regretted the final outcome,” Clarke said.
An artist’s journey begins and ends with a choice. Though Clarke’s journey as a dancer is quickly coming to a close, Clarke has decided to always try her best, regardless of the situation; with her words of wisdom, she urges all to do the same.
