Lanysha Wesby

My background involving dance started at Age 3. I danced at my home studio Dance World Academy in Clifton/Passaic, NJ. At the age of 3, I started my first dance rehearsal and made my debut for my first recital performance. That is when I knew I was put on this Earth, and was born to dance. As I matured with age, my craft with dancing improved tremendously. at the age of 8 I was promoted to their "Dance Company". This was the junior/ teen/ and senior elite competition team. Around this time is where I took my dance career seriously. I have now been dancing for a total of 18 years.

I performed more than 7 numbers annually during competition season,not including the dances I showcased for recital at the end the year. I have trained so hard day in and day out for my competition team. I've trained over 36 hours a week in preparation for competition, recital, auditions, conventions, and even charity events.

I have won many 1st place awards, always placed in the top 5 while receiving platinum and diamond awards, special awards, and even won scholarships for the competitions intensive bootcamps from competitions such as; Ticket to Broadway, Dance Xplosion, Intensity Dance, and Groove dance competition, etc. My team and I were also invited to come back to the previous competitions listed above for regional, and nationals, and had the opportunity to attend and walk out regional and national undefeated champions. I performed all over the country every weekend for 7 years competitively.

My time dancing competitively introduced me to attending dance conventions/ workshops. I attended ASH dance conventions to help improve my skill. For example, I danced in styles that I typical wouldn't like and try to be more open into trying it more, improving my improvisation skills, and sportsmanship as well. I even auditioned to learn a combination and perform in their showcase the last day of the convention. This was a fun experience for me to get myself out there more when Im usually shy around other people other than my teammates.

Some of my biggest accomplishments I ever reached thus far would be performing a national competition at Manhattan Center in New York City. My team and I wiped out in the entire competition winning all awards for every category leading other studios to leave empty handed.

Another great memory and accomplishment of mine would be being selected for my studios teen competition team at the age of 11 dancing with people who were about to graduate highschool, and were far more advanced than I was. This Includes being handpicked and chosen for call backs for specific dances where I only had two rehearsals to learn and compete. My final biggest accomplishment would be dancing for the charity event "Dance 4 the kids who cant" which was a charity to raise money for children who were physically disabled.

Throughout my highschool career at CHS, I continued my dance career to take dance as an elective. I was in the highest level for all 4 years of being in high school. I performed in recitals, pep rally's, and performed at other schools in Clifton for holiday events. With the great pleasure I had dancing for my highschool, i joined the dance club entitled "CHS dance ensemble" as well as the drama club, where I was apart of the dance ensemble for " Foot Loose", as well as "Anything Goes"without even having to audition due to my reputation as a dancer at Clifton High School. I participated in dance workshops at Montclair State University and was informed by my teacher that their staff reached out to her in regards of my participation in hopes that i would attend their college for dance education as a major.

After I graduated highschool in June of 2019, I attended Bergen community College instead for dance education due to lack of confidence in possibly being rejected for a 4 year college. I finished my first semester at Bergen and unfortunately did not continue due to the first outbreak of COVID-19. I believe due to my experience, skill, knowledge and passion, that I am a great candidate to be considered for your Dance Program.