Shelby Oleksy​
Shelby has been dancing for 17 out of her 19 years and it has always been her passion and outlet for dealing with emotions words just can't handle. She started training at a small studio in the U.P. and moved 8 hours away from home at the age of 10 and was introduced to a more serious and competitive dance scene in Grand Rapids. Finishing off her dance career at Rhythm Dance Center she found herself interested in choreographing and leading herself and co-coached the Rockford Middle School Dance Team for 2 years. Her piece "Photograph" is about her first heartbreak and all the emotions that came with it. Instead of choosing to focus on the negative the piece ends with her wishing her past lover their very best despite any wrongdoings- a lesson in life we all need to learn. Her second piece "Lead You On" is about the loss of a very close friend. Addiction is one of the hardest mental battles and diseases to overcome and not all that fight will win. This piece is dedicated to those still fighting, those who have fought and conquered, and those who are no longer with us. Shelby hopes to continue to inspire people through her dancing and remind others that anything is possible with enough drive.