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- The leader of the Dance Club in Tower Hill School -  “If you had to choose one word to describe me, what would it be?” Whenever I ask this question, the answer is almost always the same: dance. For most of my life, I’ve been known as “the girl who dances” — and it’s true. I’ve been dancing since the day I turned four. But what people often don’t realize is that dance, to me, isn’t just a talent or a hobby. It’s the language through which I’ve discovered who I am. From the discipline of ballet to the cultural expression of Chinese dance, to the bold creativity of K-pop, each style has allowed me to explore a different side of myself. Together, they have shaped my identity — and told the story of how I’ve grown across countries, communities, and stages.  What most people know about me is probably my ballet. Yes, I’ve been learning and dancing ballet for over thirteen years. Ever since I stepped into my very first ballet class, this elegant, beautiful art form has become inseparable from my life. Ballet is known for its rigid requirements and strict technique — every movement has a rule, every term is in French. But it is precisely this structure and discipline that I love. While others might grow bored of the repetition, I find comfort in the routine. The rules don't restrict me, they give me rhythm, direction, and peace.
Ballet has also taken me around the world. Whether I was competing in Washington D.C. and New York, skiing after GDC in the snowy mountains near Toronto, wandering past Buckingham Palace after morning classes in London, or stepping into a quiet ramen shop after dancing in Tokyo — ballet has been my passport and my purpose.  Most of all, I love how ballet brings beauty into the world — not just for me, but for the people around me. Every time I dance, I hope to share that beauty, that sense of joy, with others. While ballet keeps me grounded in routine, Chinese dance reflects my cultural heritage and expresses my identity. Unlike ballet, I haven’t gone through formal, systematic training in Chinese dance. Instead, I was first introduced to it through a club I joined during lower school. In middle school, I performed many times with the Chinese dance club — including a routine inspired by my favorite movie, Mulan. At the time, I had no idea just how deeply I would grow to love this art form. After my family moved from Shanghai to Delaware, my connection to Chinese dance only deepened. I began performing at Chinese New Year assemblies at school and on larger community stages — and, often, simply dancing at home for joy. Through the soft arms, elegant lines, and flowing movements, I found a way to express my culture and hold onto a part of home. This year, I even led a Symposium session at school titled The History and Stories Behind Chinese Dance, where I introduced dance clips and shared the cultural background and legends tied to each piece. It wasn’t just about movement — it was about storytelling, tradition, and identity.
Many people have asked me, “How did you get into K-pop? Isn’t it completely different from ballet?” And yes — it is. K-pop dance is nothing like ballet or Chinese dance. While ballet represents the elegant, disciplined side of me, and Chinese dance reflects my cultural roots and identity, K-pop dance brings out my extroverted, energetic self. I first discovered it in the summer of 2023, and over the past two years of self-learning, it has brought me countless moments of joy — and friendships, both in and out of school. What I love most about K-pop is its endless variety. One dance might tell the story of high school girls wondering about their futures, while another channels the strength of warriors fighting villains in a fantasy realm like Kwangya. Some concepts even explore AI characters who accidentally find themselves on Earth. The storytelling is limitless — and there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to dance it. Even idols personalize their choreography with their own flair. This sense of creative freedom inspired me to start the first-ever dance club at my school, open to all dance styles but centered on K-pop. Every so often, we meet to learn choreography, share performances, and simply enjoy the happiness that dance brings. Dance has been many things to me over the years — a routine, a memory, a cultural bridge, a new language, and a source of joy. Ballet taught me discipline; Chinese dance taught me pride in my heritage; and K-pop taught me confidence and freedom.This is the power of dance: each style has shaped a part of who I am — not just as a dancer, but as a person constantly learning, expressing, and evolving. And though these dances come from different traditions, they all share one thing in common: they allow me to move through the world with purpose, passion, and identity. Aileen Zhang Feb 21, 2025 Hockessin Delaware, USA |