Twirling through the day Calista Shohet Freshman Elliana Sabahi is a competitive dancer for Liv DanceArts and a Carlmont dance program student. Sabahi competes from January to May and aims to take home large titles. She trains over 20 hours a week, all while keeping up with school work. While this is hard work, Sabahi finds it worth the effort. “I love to dance because it just feels so right to me. When I dance, I feel connected within myself, and it’s my way of feeling my emotions,” Sabahi said.
6:30 a.m. Sabahi’s day starts with an early wake-up for school, which begins with zero-period.
4 p.m. Sabahi carpools with her friends to Liv DanceArts and starts her lengthy ballet class. “My favorite style is ballet because it’s so technical,” Sabahi said. “You can never be perfect, so every day you work to become better and better.”
6:30 p.m. This is when Sabahi starts her technique class of the day, which is often lyrical. Lyrical combines ballet and jazz styles, with a focus on expression through music lyrics.
8:30 p.m. Sabahi heads home to have dinner and begin an evening of homework.
1:28 p.m. Sabahi gets a quick break from academics with Carlmont’s dance class.
6 p.m. Sabahi has a small break between lessons.
7:30 p.m. During rehearsals, Sabahi works on her technique and pieces they are preparing. She also practices her routines for competitions, which start in January.
11:30 p.m. Sleep is essential to keeping up with a busy schedule! “I try to go to bed at this time or earlier because I find it so important to get enough sleep,” Sabahi said.
Photo by Meghan MacAskill
18 HIGHLANDER SPORTS
