By Elena Coe-Mcnamara
Features Editor
Dancing her way through life, Costa freshman Olivia Wymbs has been dancing for 11 years and hopes to pursue a career in the art.
Wymbs has been dancing since she was four. Wymbs says she began dancing because her mother put her in dance classes, not knowing how much she would eventually love the sport.
Photos: Sophomore Olivia Wymbs dances
“Every time I step foot on a dance floor I become the best possible version of myself,” Wymbs said. “Ever since I realized that, there’s no other version of myself I would ever want to be.”
Wymbs dances six days every week, Monday through Saturday, at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles. On Sunday, Wymbs says that she tries to always do a type of cross training to stay active, such as going on a run. On average, Wymbs dances for 25-30 hours a week.
“I am always thinking about eating right and taking care of my body,” Wymbs said. “I think the biggest transformation I have ever made, thus far in my life, was within myself, the day I committed to being a dancer, not only inside the studio but outside as well.”
Check out Wymbs’ dance studio: Debbie Allen Dance Academy
Wymbs says that her biggest connection in the dance industry is the owner of her studio, Debbie Allen herself. Allen has booked Wymbs for 90% of the shows she has performed in during the past two years, with the other ten percent being shows booked directly through connections with choreographers.
“Debbie has really taken me under her wing,” Wymbs said. “She has taught me everything I could need to know about being a professional dancer.”
Wymbs says that although she does occasionally miss out on social gatherings or spending time with friends and family, she would never trade dance for more time with friends. Dancing does not only play a part in her everyday life, but is her everyday life, Wymbs said.
“Not only am I a dancer, but I am an artist,” Wymbs said. “Therefore, I am constantly inspired, moved, or motivated by things that might not catch a regular persons eye.”
Have a look at Wymbs’ personal YouTube account
Wymbs eventual goal with dancing is to fulfill her dream of being a backup dancer, including appearing in music videos and going on tour with major musicians. Wymbs says that she got a taste of this dream when performing as a backup dancer at a Chinese New Year event with dancer Sun Nan, this February.
“Experiencing new, things, ideas and cultures is another reason why I love the dance world,” Wymbs said. “I meet and learn about people from different races, communities, religions, countries, and cultures. It intrigues me, and I was exposed to a lot of that at this particular performance.”
As well, Wymbs says she hopes to make the world a better and more positive place with her art of dancing, by inspiring others to follow their dreams and pursue their passions.
“When I dance, personally, I believe that I have a lot to give to the audience members,” Wymbs said. “Everyday I reach someone with my passion is a day the world gets a little bit more positive. Because that person will now be inspired to inspire someone else”
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