Dance Student Spotlight: Rae'dence Grant

My name is Rae'dence Grant and I am 12 years old. I live in Oklahoma and I dance at Dreamcatcher's Dance Company.

@missraegrant

Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.

I started by being on stage in pageants, and then I moved to dance. I love to perform and entertain! Every time I dance, I let my body tell my story. When I hear music, I just feel every bit of it and let my soul speak!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?

No, things are not easy for me. I was not born limber, nor do I have the best feet. I have to work 1000 times harder than some because it doesn't come naturally. Everyone has a gift, a talent others don't, and you have to work for what you want out of life, it doesn't just come to you!! My natural gifts are loving the stage, being able to perform, and musicality.

What personal limitations if any did you go through in your young career?

I spoke of this above. I had times where I was frustrated and still have times where I think I don't know if I will ever have the best feet or be as flexible as all these dancers. Then I had to suck it up and say that doesn't matter. I will work on what I need to improve and master what I am good at. A great dancer, I feel, is defined by how they make you feel and how you can be in that moment with them and connect with them even though not one word is spoken.

Yes, so many girls are so talented, so how do we really base the greatness of one dancer when everyone is so wonderful? I say it comes from their soul, the passion, and the love for our art!!

Has anybody ever tried to limit you on what you could do? If so how did you fight it?

I have had some limitations, but I also was blessed to have teachers who believed in me and wanted me to try so many different things to find what fits me best. I think them not putting me in a box and letting me grow was the best thing.

Of course, I had limitations and still do, however, I work so hard to break those limits. I go every day trying to be better than I was the day before. I want to prove I can become the best me I can be. Not the best dancer in the world. The best dancer Rae'dence Grant can be!

How do you conquer negative talk?

Oh, girl!!! Negativity is something I don't deal with. I hear negative things often, actually, it's just a part of life. However, your response to negativity is what determines the outcome. If someone doesn't like me or they want to speak badly of me, there are one of two things I think. 1 thank you for giving me fuel to my fire. 2. At least I am on your mind!

The most important thing is how you speak to yourself. The words you feed yourself are what you become. I always try to stay positive and tell myself only positive things. I want to tell my friends positive things so they feel good about themselves. Feed your soul with positives. Life is too short to worry about negativity. You have to ask yourself, will this matter 5 min from now, 5 days from now, or 5 years from now? The answer is NO. So why waste time you can never get back thinking about someone saying something negative about you? Do you, and be you. That's what we are all created to do.

What is your favorite quote?

I have many quotes:
1. "A negative mind will never give you a positive life." - Author Unknown
2. "You were born an original. Don't die a copy!" - John Mason
3. "In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact!!" - Les Brown

So, what’s next? Any big plans?

I will continue to work till I am where I am supposed to be. I have HUGE goals, but I have to meet my small goals to get to my destination!! By being better every day than I was yesterday, hopefully, I will be the best me I can possibly be!!!