By Ashley Cohen
Staff Writer
Dance is an art form requiring both physical strength and artistic abilities that one Costa student has been dedicated to for almost her whole life.
Junior Kalena Tamura began her dancing career when she was two years old and now practices for over 15 hours every week. She started taking ballet classes at a studio near her house and has been dancing ever since.
“I’m thankful my mom put me in my first ballet class because I ended up sticking with dance and falling in love with it,” Tamura said.
Deborah Porto, a dance teacher and co-owner of Fifth Row Center Performing Arts, has been coaching Tamura for four years. Porto sees the effort and dedication that Tamura puts forth in every dance class and competition.
“She is probably one of the most powerful dancers I’ve ever seen for someone her age,” Porto said. “Her commitment to her strength and movement is almost unmatched.”
Tamura participates in various styles including contemporary, hip hop, ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, pointe, African, Irish, Bollywood, and lyrical. According to her coaches, Tamura excels in all of these styles.
“She adapts herself to all styles which is very challenging to do,” Porto said. “Her dedication knows no bounds and I admire that a lot about her.”
Tamura has competed in many different competitions including JUMP Nationals, Co Dance Nationals, LA Dance Force, and LA Dance Magic. She has received numerous awards including a year’s worth of free dance classes and a $500 scholarship.
“It seems that she grows more and more every week,” sophomore dancer Rachel Kay said. “I feel as if dancing has given Kalena more confidence to be herself and given her an outlet to express herself.”
Dance has become not only a hobby and possible career for Tamura, but a lifestyle as well. According to Tamura, dancing has inspired her to always try her best at everything and it has made her realize that there is always a goal to reach for.
“It’s stress relieving but at the same time it’s a constant challenge,” Tamura said. “Because of dance I’ve learned to manage my time well and I also believe dance has made me a perfectionist and an artist.”
Tamura plans to pursue dance as a lifelong career by majoring in dance in college and then pursuing the industry after she graduates. She is interested in New York University Tisch School of the Arts and the Alvin Ailey dance company.
“I want to get as prepared as I can in college and audition for as much as I can to gain experience,” Tamura said.
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