After a long day of school, many students head home to relax and complete homework. Some stay after school for sports practices and activities. However, aspiring dancers don’t have it so easy. Their evenings are filled with hours of hard work and dedication.

“I use all the free time I have in the day to get homework done, and to work ahead on projects,” sophomore Hannah Lowenkamp said.

Lowenkamp dances 25 to 30 hours per week at Cleveland City Dance. She studies ballet, jazz, modern and lyrical styles and hopes to pursue a career in dance.

“Balancing school and dance can be a bit tough sometimes, especially on days with a lot of work,” freshman Jack Spero wrote in an email.

“I try to budget my time and get work done in advance when I have time,” Spero said.

Spero dances for eight hours a week at Shaker Dance Academy. He studies hip-hop, jazz, modern and occasionally ballet. He would enjoy a career in dance, but hopes to work in a field that involves helping others.

Although dance can be time-consuming, it can also be extremely rewarding. Through performing, dancers can build confidence and share their self expression with an audience.

“I love performing,” Spero wrote. “It is one of the best feelings to show people your choreography… On stage, you can take the choreography to another level and add your own feel or interpretation to it.”

Dance also allows an outlet from stress. “I can just be myself and not worry about anything or anyone,” Lowenkamp said.

“I enjoy the fact that I can forget about everything in my life, when I dance,” Swathi Srinivasan said. “I also enjoy dancing because it is my way of practicing and celebrating Indian culture and arts.”

Srinivasan dances for about 15 hours each week at Shri Kalaa, a studio led by her teacher, Sujatha Srinivasan. Srinivasan practices Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form from southern India. She does not see herself pursuing a career in dance, but enjoys feeling connected to her culture.

Ultimately,  students have to find a way to incorporate for dance into their lives as students. “I try not to procrastinate,” Srinivasan said. “I admit, it is really hard at times.” Srinivasan struggles with procrastination most when “Grey’s Anatomy” is on. “I have to remember my passion for dance, and that drives my motivation.”