A Rising Star

Today, I sat down with Ashlyn Gannon a student at my university who is a commercial dance major. She is a senior like me, she shared her thoughts on what it's like being in this profession and what her hopes/dreams are for the future. Here is what she has to say....

G: Why did you decide to pursue dance as a career?

A: Honestly, the feeling of being on stage is unmatched for me. That moment when the lights go up and the world around me goes quiet and I get to share my passion and like showcase my art is what's most fulfilling to me.

G: That's really nice!

G: When did you first start dancing and what made you fall in love with it?

A: I've been in the dance studio my entire life. My mom used to coach gymnastics at like a dance/gym studio and instead of hiring a babysitter, I would sit in my car seat in front of the mirror of the dance studio and just watch the class. So in the moment I could walk, I was immediately just thrown into ballet and tap classes. Um, so it's always been such a huge part of my life and the love I have for dance grew and grew every year.

G: Aww, that's so cute.

G: While attending Pace University, how has the commercial dance program shaped you emotionally both through its challenges and its triumphs?

A: I knew attending Pace's commercial dance program would be a push. It's one of the top programs in the country and I knew since I was 15 it was a stepping stone that I needed to transition to the professional world. I think the hardest part is obviously comparison. I've learned to celebrate my classmates and learned from them instead of comparing myself. So now I know to just show up everyday and do my personal best and remind myself that I'm enough, which I think is the most important thing when going into dance as a career, is to really focus on you and not others around you.

G: Yes, I agree.

G: In what ways do you feel that being a dancer pushed you way past your physical and mental limits?

A: Honestly for me, being a dancer is all about time management and being efficient. As long as I know my goals and what I need to get done everyday, I never feel pushed past my physical and mental limits. And having other outlets that really help me, are like knowing who I am outside of dance. So I love to exercise. The gym is kind of like my me time where I get to focus on anything else. I also love spending time outside with my dog, hang out with friends, journaling. Being a dancer is all about balance, I've never pushed across my limits.

G: Commercial dance requires athleticism and artistry, how do you balance treating it like a sport versus using it as a form of creative expression?

A: Focusing on recovery and cross training is essential for me as a dancer. Um like I said, I go to the gym but I also indulge in hot yoga and pilates as well as physical therapy. My mom's a physical therapist so recovery and cross training has always been emphasized to me to have a long sustainable career. And when I know my body is 100%, that is when my artistry and creative expression can really show because if nothings hurting in my body, then I can focus kind of. Like giving all that I can and any like rehearsal or class that I show up to.

G: Ok, that's really cool.

G: As you finish up your time at school, what are your immediate hopes and dream gigs?

A: Immediately post-grad, I would love to perform musicals on a cruise ship because I want to travel the world while also saving money because you don't have to worry about rent or anything when you're on a cruise ship. Um, and then after that the dream goal for me is Broadway. But before then, I'd love to indulge in doing some regional theater productions and national tours to kind of build up my resume a little bit. Then a part of me is also passionate about working in like commercials or TV. A dream of mine since I was little is to be a like backup dancer in a Disney Channel original movie and I would love to like make that happen for my younger self.

G: Aww

A: Yeah

G: If you look 10 years into the future. What does your ideal life and career as a dancer look like?

A: Honestly in 10 years, I hope to have had a successful performing career, and at that point, be ready to kind of move to the suburbs, move out of nyc, start a family, and be a dance teacher because another one of my passions outside of performing is teaching younger children how to dance. It really fills my cup. At some point, I'd like to settle down and have a less crazy schedule for sure.

G: Great.

G: Given how intense and difficult this path can be. What would you say to a student who is debating whether or not to pursue dance in college?

A: Honestly, you have to know if you really love it. That kind of is the bottom line. If it doesn't fill your cup then it's not your passion. Then I would say consider it as or keep it as a like, side thing you enjoy or a hobby, but don't try and pursue it as your passion.

G: Okay.

G: Dance demands so many hours in the studio. How has it impacted your social life and what do you do to cope with that balance?

A: I honestly have to give props to my mom. She made sure growing up that when it came to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. I wasn't at the dance studio I was hanging out with friends, I was going outside, and I was doing other things. I'm so thankful for it because now my identity is not only dance because if your whole life surrounds around dance, burnout is going to happen really quickly. I've seen it in so many of my friends growing up. So I honestly owe it to my mom, for teaching me that work life balance or dance balance.

G: Yeah that's very cool because from when I met you, I noticed that dance isn't really your identity. Like you have things outside that you love, dance isn't the main thing that's apart of you. It's apart of you but you have other hobbies as well.

A: Thank you, I really appreciate that.

G: Yeah.

A: If dance were to go away tomorrow, I would find something else or I would put my energy towards something else that I would also enjoy.

G: Cool.

G: Since you're a senior, looking back at your journey what is the biggest piece of advice you would give younger students trying to follow their dreams?

A: Its so cliche, but be yourself. Everyone else is taken when you're in an audition room or something and you're trying so hard to fit a mold, often times people on the other side of the table are not looking for that. And if they are not looking for that then you're not the right person for it and that job is not for you. You got to go in being yourself and you have to accept the no's and celebrate the yes's. If it's an L it means that's probably not the right project for you either. So honestly just being yourself. And it's so easy to say, but reminding myself of that constantly is definitely important. It's a good mantra.

G: I totally agree with that. I feel like there are certain things that work for people and there are things that don't and it's good to try new things and see if it really fits you.

A: Yeah

G: Okay thank you, Ashlyn for your time.