By: AVA CRAWFORD
Sydney Chu in her dance leotard. Photo by Sherman Chu
Lifelong dancer Sydney Chu is enrolled in Carmel High School’s Dance II, one of four freshmen in the class, and is in four dances for the Winter Dance Show, even while dancing for more than 10 hours a week after school.
Over the summer, the dancer participated in the Bayer Ballet Academy’s Pre-Professional Summer Incentive, and she performed in the Bayer Ballet production of “Swan Lake” in September. She is also performing in the Dance Kids of Monterey County’s production of “The Nutcracker” at the Sunset Center in December.
Chu has participated in competitions with the Carmel Academy of Performing Arts, such as the Youth American Grand Prix, Starbound, Next Step and Hollywood Dance Jamz. She dances five days a week, 1 ½ to 3 ½ hours each day. Leading up to a performance, she adds four to six hours to her 10-hour dance regimen.
“I’ve done a little bit of contemporary ballet, but mostly just ballet,” Chu says. “A little bit of tap.”
The freshman’s passion for dance began when she was 3 years old, and despite moving across the state often, she has stayed in dance for 11 years. Chu dances outside of school at CAPA, where she does ballet.
The dancer will not be choreographing for this semester’s dance show, but will be able to choreograph next semester.
“Sydney is a talented, dedicated and very focused dancer,” CHS dance teacher Kristine Tarozzi says.
For the upcoming student-choreographed dance show, students in Dance II will perform a lyrical piece choreographed by Nadia Hines, who appeared as a guest teacher at CHS to teach the dance.
Tarozzi says that although it is too late for Chu to choreograph for the upcoming dance show, she looks forward to seeing her choreography next semester for the Spring Dance Show.
“I would like to do a contemporary, lyrical kind of dance,” Chu says.
Sydney Chu says she is excited about the experience at CHS, especially regarding her dancing career with Tarozzi.
