We're celebrating Delicia, our new intern who is getting her degree in Human Development in Community Settings at University of Rhode Island!
1- What have you enjoyed about being part of the Dance Project Family?
Although I have not been a part of the Dance Project Family for a long time, I can tell that everyone is extremely passionate about dance and creating a safe and accepting environment for dancers to thrive in. It’s clear that the Dance Project of Washington Heights is more than just learning technique. The Dance Project is a community that encourages all to grow and shine and that is something that I’m so grateful to be a part of!
2- What part of New York City do you love most; a favorite NYC spot, favorite thing about NYC, etc?
My favorite spot in NYC to go to is the dog park in central park. Me and my aunt will take her pug, Daisy, and sit and talk while all of the dogs play! There are usually almost twenty dogs there.
3- What food reminds you of childhood?
When I think back to my childhood, some of my best memories are sitting around a table with my family at holidays. There is a food my grandfather and now my mother makes every year in December called Arancini. It’s an Italian snack- it’s rice shaped into a ball and then cooked. There’s really nothing special about the food itself, but the memories that go along with it makes it my favorite food.
4- What makes you feel better when you’re sad?
When I am sad, I like to listen to happy music and snuggle with my dog, Nicole. It’s amazing how therapeutic music and animals can be!
5- If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, who or what would it be?
If I were to die and come back as a person or thing, I would want to come back as really big beautiful tree in a park where kids and families play.
6- Who are your heroes in real life – dance-related or otherwise?
In real life, my heroes are my family. I am so proud of how courageous, brave and kind they are each and every day.
7- What do you love about your body?
I love that my body allows me to touch and feel my favorite things- like sand under my feet, water running on my hands, or a cozy blanket wrapped around me.
8- When did you first know you wanted to be a dancer?
I didn’t really want to be a dancer for a big part of my life. I took dance classes when I was little, but then I stopped dancing for a long time because I thought that I was too chubby to dance. I did musical theatre which involved movement, but I was afraid to go ahead and dance. My freshman year of college I started taking dance classes again just for me and just for fun. Although I have learned more about dance moves, the best thing that I’ve taken away from my dance classes is that anyone with a body can dance, whether they are thin, thick, young, old, short or tall!
9- What is the most memorable dance you have ever witnessed?
The most memorable dance I have ever witnessed is when I saw VPA studio’s 12-16 girls group perform a dance about society’s pressure of how people should look. The main message of the dance is that a dancer’s body is their home, and it’s important to love it.
10- Which choreographer and/or dancer, dead or alive, would you love to take a dance lesson from?
I would love to take a dance lesson from Andy Blankenbuehler. He’s choreographed most of my favorite Broadway shows, so it would be really neat!
BONUS QUESTION: Which words of wisdom would you like to offer?
Take a moment to appreciate your body and mind! You’re the only you the world has, and that’s an amazing thought. Take a second each day to be thankful to yourself, even when you’re having a bad day.