By Gianna Bartolini ‘15

The performing arts are sectors of entertainment that involve intensive training from a young age with the goal of perfection. Many students in our school, those striving to become professional entertainers or who simply have a passion for performing, face the challenge of balancing their schoolwork between their training, rehearsing and performing schedules.

Many times when we think of students who carry a heavy load, the first thought that comes to mind may be an athlete, a high-achieving AP student, or someone with a demanding after-school job. Student performers, however, do not always have as much to show superficially for all their efforts, and most people don’t know, or don’t care, about the secret lives of these performers.

Sophomore Julia Lo has been dancing for the past eight years, averaging three to five hours per day and up to 30 hours per week. She is part of a pre-professional program for classical ballet at Berrend Dance Centre in Olney and a long-time member of Olney Ballet Theatre and performing in “The Nutcracker,” “Petrushka” and other productions.

“I have been dancing since a young age and it’s become a part of my life,” said Lo. “It allows me to express myself in ways that aren’t possible in daily life.”

Although she has decided to pursue a more traditional career, Lo intends to continue dancing throughout high school because of the amazing opportunities it has offerded her. “Every performance I’ve ever done is pretty cool to me. I think it’s amazing that I have an opportunity to show my abilities. My dancing has allowed me to travel to other states such as Florida to attend summer intensives [concentrated dance training over the summer] … it has also allowed me to meet my best friends and share many fond memories.”

Junior Paul Lee has loved music for as long as he can remember. He plays the drums and guitar, practicing up to 10 hours a week and performing at Oakdale Emory Methodist Church’s 707 Sunday night youth service.

“Music is something that I find freedom in,” said Lee. “The restrictions of everything else don’t apply.” He certainly finds plenty of opportunities to play, whether it is in a band, at church or in Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Even though music is his passion, Lee will not pursue it as a career option due to the instability the job would offer, as well as the music industry’s tendency to support pop music groups over alternative styles of music.

Junior Danny Santiago sees it in a different way. Not only does he love performing, both as a musician and an actor, but wishes to study musical theatre in college and continue with it as a possible career.

He rehearses 18-20 hours per week, dividing his time between theatrical productions and different bands he is a part of. He recently completed “My Fair Lady” at the Olney Theatre Historic Stage in November, where he played as one of the leading male characters.

Although he already has a lot on his plate, Santiago is going to be performing in Rock ‘n’ Roll in March and recently auditioned for the Rockville Musical Theatre’s production of “Next to Normal.”

Although being a part of all these extracurricular activities can be draining, so many students dedicate themselves to the cause because, as Lee said, “you love the art and what it does for you, not … any other reason.”