Eliza Jane

I have officially finished up my first semester at Juilliard, and I can't believe it! The time has flown by, and I'm now happily spending Christmas break in Utah with my family. Prior to leaving, I performed in New Dances in the Peter Jay Sharp Theater. This is a yearly Juilliard production for the dance division, and each class has a different choreographer who creates a new piece. The Freshman class worked with Takehiro Euyama for about two and a half months. Our process was a bit challenging (he was not a very personable guy... which made it hard to relate) but I did learn a lot and had so much fun performing with my class for the first time. Each class got to watch each other in dress rehearsal, and it was INSPIRING. I felt honored, lucky, and proud to be surrounded by such amazing artists.

As I've been in New York I've thought a lot about talents... why each of us have specific talents, and how we use them in positive ways. I've specifically been focusing on my dancing, and really pondering how my role as a believer in Christ can be evident through this talent. At Juilliard, there is an emphasis placed upon the students to recognize that we are all communicators. What we choose to communicate is entirely up to us. Whether I choreograph on others with a specific theme or idea, or am left to interpret choreography given to me, I am always communicating something to those watching. I have felt that I may not ever know how to successfully implement this desire when I don't always have the freedom to create my own movement, but I do know that I can continue in this discovery by simply living a Christ-centered life.

I'm a big believer of the cliche, "everything in life happens for a reason." I believe that I am at Juilliard for specific reasons; some known at this point, with many more unknown. Every experience in my past, great or small, has prepared me for this time in NYC. There is an excitement I feel not knowing exactly what will come from my time at Juilliard, but because I have received a personal confirmation that I am where I am supposed to be, I have felt the freedom to explore and open my mind to so much. I've never been so excited to learn or to obtain knowledge, until now! I am at the perfect place to do just that, and I thank my Heavenly Father often for this opportunity.

Eliza Jane

As I said above, I have been home for the holidays... and I've got some pictures to prove it! enjoy

This is my best friend, Savannah. She is my soul mate!

Lucky me, I got to visit Temple Square before they took the lights down.

So beautiful!

These are all of my siblings (excluding Braden who is serving an LDS misison in Poland) and I love them dearly. oh, and we're all going to the beach this summer. HOLLA.

This is my other best friend, Tiffany. We've danced together for a VERY long time, and I think we're both still going through "ballet bestie" withdrawals.

Despite my expression-less face, I absolutely love having sleepovers with my friends. These are moments I miss the most!

Thomas is the sweetest dog/friend I've ever had. I LOVE HIM.

Post workout nap in the sun... Tom came and plopped down right beside me.

We visited Elsa's ice castles in Midway... actually amazingly beautiful. Also, Frozen is my new favorite movie.

This is my other best friend, Mckenna. She has quite the load to handle at home, but is always there for me. I am so lucky to have such a sweet soul in my life!