Joy, energy and a story for Seisen Dancer

One of the biggest challenges I have faced while dancing has been being my own critique and judge. While I know that judgment of others is very rare in a room full of like-minded and talented individuals, I still struggle with wanting to achieve perfection and judging myself for not dancing up to my expectation of ‘perfection.’ I often have found myself saying, “Why can't I be like them?” or “I wish I could turn like they can”, and the biggest one, “Why can't I be enough.”

Seisen Phoenix Soars!
This month, we feature a High School student who spends hours training and perfecting her craft and sport. Madison (Michi) Morita in Grade 11, is a jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop specialist, dancing her way into the hearts of many.

Michi Morita

Grade 11

Dance

How old were you when you started your chosen sport?

I was about 3 or 4 years old when I started dancing.

How did you start and become interested in your sport? (Parents' signed you up? You saw someone competing and decided to attempt it)

My interest in dance started when I began watching videos of rhythmic gymnastics on YouTube. I remember watching how the girls in the videos would jump and turn and smile in their sparkly costumes with their team. I remember wrapping a ribbon around a stick in an attempt to “ribbon dance” and putting on a gymnastics leotard with sweatpants to play outside and perform for…no one. I think it was then that my parents decided to sign me up for dance classes. I don't remember what genre my first dance lesson was, but it seems I enjoyed it enough to continue it for 14 years.

How long have you been engaging in your sport?

I have been dancing for about 14 years now.

How often do you train, and where do you train?

In Texas, before I moved to Tokyo, I trained six days a week for about five to nine hours a day(five  hours on the weekdays, nine hours on the weekends). Now that I have entered high school in a new environment, I train about 4-5 days a week for only 2-3 hours. Even though the long hours in Texas were physically challenging, I miss the satisfaction of finishing a hard training day with my friends. I have no specific training place, but some locations I am currently training are STUDIO ARCHITANZ in Minato and Broadway Dance Center in Shinjuku. I also have a personal trainer named Kana Ando. I love working with her because she understands Western dance styles and is helping me apply to dance universities in America. I have additionally trained in America for multiple summers in California, Texas, New Mexico, Alabama, and New York.

What level of competition do you engage in?

In America, I participated in about six yearly competitions for five years. I engaged in competitions that focused on jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary, as well as competitions that only focused on ballet. I believe there are no specific levels to dance competitions since it is truly the talent and atmosphere that create the tension of the competition. In Tokyo, I have not participated in any competitions since dance competitions are not as common here as they are in America. I have seen news of dance competitions in Tokyo, but they are more often than not hip-hop competitions, and my training applies to more jazz and contemporary dance competitions. 

How successful have you been? Did you win or do extremely well in certain competitions? Please describe what competitions they are.

While in “competition dance,” my last few years were very successful. I think my best accomplishment was winning a “5th place High score senior contemporary solo” at the New York City Dance Alliance regional competition and Senior Outstanding Dancer, also at New York City Dance Alliance, all in one weekend. Along with these titles, I also received scholarships to summer training programs in New York at Steps on Broadway. These titles and scholarships not only gave me amazing opportunities to network with professionals, but it also gave me some amazing friendships that I will have forever. I was able to share a space and train with talented and kind individuals who all shared a love for dance. Some of my other accomplishments include:

• 1st place senior contemporary solo at NUVO dance competition
• Senior Break out Artist at NUVO dance competition
• 5th place high score senior contemporary solo at New York City Dance Alliance 
• Senior outstanding dancer at New York City Dance Alliance (2x)
• Top 25 Senior Outstanding Dancers at New York City Dance Alliance National Competition
• 5th place senior contemporary solo at Universal Ballet Competition
• 5th place senior contemporary solo at Universal Ballet Competition
   

Have you faced any challenges?

One of the biggest challenges I have faced while dancing has been being my own critique and judge. While I know that judgment of others is very rare in a room full of like-minded and talented individuals, I still struggle with wanting to achieve perfection and judging myself for not dancing up to my expectation of ‘perfection.’ I often have found myself saying, “Why can't I be like them?” or “I wish I could turn like they can”, and the biggest one, “Why can't I be enough.” All these phrases have run through my mind while dancing and have almost stopped me from continuing the sport that I love, but there is also ALWAYS that little angel in my ear that brings me back to my “why.” That little voice tells me to “give myself grace.” and helps me to remember why I love dance. I love the joy it brings me, the energy it gives me, and the story it can tell. 

Another of the biggest challenges I have faced while dancing was getting COVID-19 right in the middle of a national, week-long competition. I remember how saddened and frustrated I was at MYSELF for getting sick, even though I knew I had no control over what had happened. I remember watching countless videos of dance inspirations to cheer myself up and keeping in contact with my friends at the competition so I could stay in the loop of the competition. I remember how low my self-esteem was during that time and calling my father in tears, too sick to sleep but too exhausted to walk around. I remember stretching every day after quarantining and telling myself to do something small. I remember journaling my feelings and texting my friends about how I felt. I remember watching the live stream of the competition and hearing my name called out for the Top 25 senior best dancers and the Spirit award. I remember feeling happy tears run down my face as I realized that even though my time was cut short at the event, I had positively impacted the people around me and that the energy you bring to the atmosphere is more important than winning awards or getting validation.

Any final words of advice for budding athletes?

Never quit. Dance is a daunting sport that requires a lot of commitment and energy, but it does not mean you aren't worthy of praise because YOU ARE. When times get tough, think back to your “why.” Why did you start, and why do you love what you do? Surround yourself with people who will help you through your training, thick and thin, and do not be afraid to spread kindness and be outgoing. 

A final sports quote:

“Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.”

– Martha Graham.