Serena Bartels (10th) has made dance a big part of her life over the years. 

She dances Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at The Art of Dance and Classical Ballet, her dance studio. She also dances Mondays through Wednesdays on the Liberty dance team. At her studio, there is a group of students who are advanced and take more classes throughout the week. This group is called Company, and is split up into Company 1, 2, 3, and 4- with 4 being the most advanced. Though these levels have nothing to do with age, students are required to take at least one year in each before moving up. Serena Bartels has moved up to the fourth level by her ninth year there.

Bartels feels the most important step in improving her dance career has been practicing. 

“I think practice is obviously the biggest key to improving, exposing yourself to multiple styles of dance and taking multiple classes a week. Being confident in yourself; if you mess up it’s okay, just fix it next time and move on. Ask questions, so you aren’t afraid if you’re confused about choreography. Your teachers are there to help you. Anyone can improve if you put your mind to it, and work hard,” she said.

Her favorite styles of dance are lyrical and modern, but she thinks the most important style to learn is ballet, as it is the ”building block of all dance.” Her favorite tricks to learn were any kinds of turns, specifically seconds and combos. She also likes aerials.

Bartels has gotten to where she is today through hard work, persistence, training, and determination. She feels anyone can achieve their goals through the same.