Nuotaika's 40th anniversary recital

 This week, I performed in a special ballet recital celebrating the 40th anniversary of my ballet school, Nuotaika. It was more than just a regular show—guests from the municipality attended alongside proud families and friends, making it a truly festive and memorable event. I danced in front of a large audience, but surprisingly, I wasn’t nervous at all. I’ve been dancing since I was five, and stepping on stage now feels like second nature. The energy backstage was full of excitement and stress, and it felt really meaningful to be part of such a big celebration for a place that’s been a huge part of my life.

This recital also marked an important personal milestone, as I recently completed my 7-year ballet exam. As my ballet journey starts to wind down, I’ve been thinking about whether I’ll continue toward the 10-year diploma. With 12th grade approaching and the workload increasing, I’m not sure what next year will look like. This experience touched on several CAS learning outcomes for me. I demonstrated commitment and perseverance, sticking with ballet for so many years and pushing through to reach this level. It also gave me space for reflection, as I consider how this chapter might be coming to a close. No matter what I decide, I’m proud of how far I’ve come and grateful for everything ballet has given me—discipline, expression, and a deep sense of joy.