[ot-caption title=” JoAnn Wood (via Rachel Rutstein, junior)”]

This week Type One sat down with JoAnn Wood to discuss her dancing career. You may know Wood as the petite blonde dancer always front and center during our arts assemblies. However, she’s much more. Joann opens up about her favorite memories and pieces while on center stage.

T1: How old were you when you started dancing?

JoAnn: I started when I was seven.

T1: What’s your favorite genre of dance? Why?

JoAnn: My favorite genre is ballet because it is very precise and you have to work really hard to master a specific step. It’s very rewarding.

T1: Are you taking classes related to dance?

JoAnn: I take contemporary dance and ballet during school. I take pointe after school. I also do Dance Etc two days a week after school. First semester I did Saturday practices for the ballet.

T1: What is your favorite thing about dance?

JoAnn: Probably learning new things in class and performing is also really fun. That’s probably my favorite part, performing.

T1: What is your favorite memory in your dance career?

JoAnn: The ballet from this year in November was a great memory. It was A Christmas Carol. I played Isabel Fezziwig and that was just such a fun character to play because I really had to work on acting.

T1: What is your favorite piece you’ve danced in?

JoAnn: Probably Paquita. It was the first piece from Dance Etc. It was really fun.

T1: What is your favorite quote? Why?

JoAnn: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” The quote can help you get through hard times.

T1: What are three words to describe yourself?

JoAnn: Dedicated, jumper, and bunny-rabbit.

T1: What is some important knowledge you have gained from dance?

JoAnn: How to work hard to achieve goals. How to stick to something until you achieve it. It teaches commitment.

T1: How would you describe your creative process?

JoAnn: Usually when I’m choreographing a piece, I take things from dances that I have done in the past, and I mix it around until it’s something new that goes with the music I choose.

T1: What is your biggest challenge?

JoAnn: Staying on the music. Sometimes I can hear it a different way and end up doing the dance the wrong way.

T1: How will you use art for the rest of high school and your future career?

JoAnn: In high school it takes off a lot of stress. When I’m dancing, I don’t feel as stressed about schoolwork. I definitely want to be a dance teacher eventually.

T1: Are you working on anything currently?

JoAnn: For Dance Etc., I’m choreographing a piece.

T1: What do you hope people will take away from your work?

JoAnn: That they feel happier. That it gives them joy.