MY ‘WHY’

a personal statement

All my life, I wanted to be a doctor, despite being absolutely terrified of blood. So, it wasn't medicine that called to me - it was my grandfather. He is my entire world, and whenever he would fall sick, I wished I had the power to make him better. The truth was, though, that I knew I belonged on a stage. I just spent years trying to outrun that feeling because I believed following my artistic dreams was “selfish.”

Then, a few years ago, when my grandfather was admitted to the hospital, he refused to talk, eat, or listen to anyone. The only thing that seemed to reach him was music. So I would sit beside his bed and play his favorite songs. In the middle of a crowded hospital room, surrounded by machines and worried family members, he would lift his hands and dance.

In that moment, I was so grateful to every doctor who helped him, but I was also incredibly grateful that there were artists in this world—and that their art allowed me to be with him.

I knew immediately that art wasn't "selfish" but a lifeline…..and it was what I wanted to dedicate my life to.

So, here’s to telling stories, hoping they’ll make someone want to dance again :)

me and the dancing man