My Dance Biography

My Dance Life

Ashley Perez enrolled at Amarilys Academy of Dance Arts in 1993, at the tender age of three. She started off with Ballet and Flamenco classes and a year later also enrolled in Tap and Jazz. At the age of thirteen, Pointe classes were added to her curriculum as a necessary class to graduate. Recently she also started taking a Modern and a separate Lyrical class as well. During the years Ashley received Perfect Attendance Awards and a Special Scholarship Award for her hard work and dedication to dance. Just a few students are chosen for this scholarship award every year so Ashley was extremely honored to have received this opportunity.

Ashley has competed in many dance and talent competitions in the tri-state area like Star Systems, Star Bound, and the very prestigious Dance Educators of America. Ashley along with her classmates have won first place, platinum's, and many special awards. At the age of seven, Ashley with a Jazz dance, "Macarena" tried out for the television show Sabado Gigante and made it, airing on a Friday night in Florida. She has also tested her capabilities in dance by competing in the New Jersey Hispanic Youth Showcase two years in a row with a "Dirty Dancing" piece, and winning first place. She has attended many dance conventions which have helped her meet students from other schools and has been taught by very experienced dance teachers from around the nation and Europe. Ashley has also showcased her talents in producing two music videos in Dominican Republic, and performing as a back up dancer in "El Bachataso" concert in New York City. In 2006 she tried out for the New York Knicks Dance Team and made the Junior Squad.

Despite all of her accomplishments throughout her fifteen years of dance, Ashley has had minor setbacks due to injuries in her right ankle. She has taken years of therapy and has continued to go unto that stage with smiles and great energy and character.

Ashley now graduates this September 2008 along with six other talented girls. She is a Flamenco teacher at the Amarilys Academy of Dance Arts, to a group of thirteen and fourteen year old students and choreographed a piece entitled, "Granada", which has won two first place medals in competition so far. She has learned and gained many leadership qualities that she will need in the future. Today she graduates after completing her six DEA examinations with honors.

Amarilys Academy of Dance Arts

Meeting the author

Junot Diaz

On November 19th, 2008, the Dominican-American writer, Junot Diaz, came to Rider University.In my Intro to College Writing and Intro to Expository Writing classes, Professor Rosenbaum, had us read his newest novel, The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. After many revisions, my professor chose me along with a few other students to read our papers at the meeting. Here is a link to a copy of my paper.

Oscar Wao Paper

My Role Model

Have you ever had a role model that influenced almost everything in your life? Growing up I spent a few years with my dad’s brother, Felix, and his wife Maritza while my parents figured out life. Those years with them made me realize why I appreciate my parent’s every day and why I am the woman I am today.

To read my paper click here --> role model
My high school--> HCST

Presidential Presentation

This presentation was composed on the question, "Which do you prefer the next President of the United States to be? Competent or honest?" In this presentation I gave my opinion, facts, and supported details.

Presidential Presentation

A Letter from the Author, Me

Dear Reader,

I feel very privileged that you have chosen to read my blog and to connect with my world, whether it be my past, present, or my future. My life has been a distant journey, but it does not end here, yet it just begins at Rider University where I wish to become a legacy.

I have traveled to many countries like Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Aruba, and Dominican Republic just to name a few. I hope that my travel experiences will help me with part of my double major in International Business and Accounting. I am bilingual which has helped with my choosing of a minor in Spanish. My cultural background, being Cuban, Moroccan, and Spaniard may be a crucial key in my major, blending with different people from many different cultures is the key.

I am very devoted to my long term goal of graduating with my Masters in Accounting, continue unto Graduate school, and then becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). I hope to follow in my aunt's footsteps, and become an accountant for a high end store like Louis Vuitton.

I hope that this blog illustrates my potential as a student, employee, and shows my life goals.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Ashley Perez