In The ZONA - East Valley Dec. 2013 | Page 4

Arizona Sunray’s Jerusha Abarca Freshman at ASU Barrett Honor’s College, Anthropology Major 1. How long have you been a part of Arizona Sunrays? Three years, first year in jazz and the last two years in Dance Company. I also danced with a ballet studio when I was 3-7 years old and danced in The Nutcracker a few times. 2. Tell us about one of your coaches? What makes him/her a great coach? Jen Warsaw, she is Director of Dance at Sunrays and teaches several of my classes. She is awesome in her teaching and inspires me to push myself to be better. She believed that I could be awesome, even though I started dance later than most in my life, and I really appreciate her for that. She is choreographing and coaching me in a solo this year, which I plan to do in competitions later this year. 3. How many different types of dance do you practice? Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre. 4. What is your favorite? Why is this your favorite? Lyrical and contemporary are my favorites, because they’re mixture of styles and in these styles I am able to express myself in a way that just feels natural. 5. What are you studying at ASU? Anthropology, but I’m also considering a double major in dance or history. I earned my Associates of Arts degree from PVCC last year when I graduated from Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center High School, so I have many of my prerequisites already completed. 6. If you could have your dream job, what would it be? I’m not really sure, but considering that I want a double major, I think that I will either end up being a dance teacher or doing research in anthropology, specifically archaeology. These are two very different careers, but I like the fact that a double major could open me up to both interests, wherever I want to go with them. Maybe I’ll do both! 7. How do you juggle college and dance? What are some tips that you would give to our younger readers? It’s important to manage your time and make sure that you really want something before you commit to it, so that you will push through when it gets difficult. I also work at the dance studio helping to teach and leading dance and gymnastics birthday parties and nanny two days a week, so it’s important that I stay focused on work, but it’s also important to stay committed to my Company and my team members. I would also suggest making time to just have fun and breathe. That is so important. If you never make time to relax, it can become too much. 8. How has college life been so far? What do you find the hardest about attending college? Getting used to the increased workload and adapting to different expectations of different professors. College is hard, but it’s also exciting to be so in charge of your education and to get to learn what you want to learn, so I’ve really been enjoying it, even though it was a major adjustment at first. 9. Do you aspire to be a dancer at ASU one day? I may do my double major in dance, but definitely plan on taking classes next year and getting involved in one of the many dance groups that are offered at ASU. Z In the TM President & publisher Heidi Koffman • [email protected] Editor, Content Director & Contributing photographer Anna Sirianni • [email protected] Sales manager Gabrielle Toot • [email protected] Creative Director Misty Voitovski • [email protected] Contact Us: [phone]; inthezona.com In the Zona Magazine is a publication of SIRTON PUBLISHING, LLC. The opinions within the articles are those of the authors and not of the magazine. For submissions, ideas, comments or to recommend someone to appear in In the Zona Magazine, please email: [email protected]. SIRTON PUBLICATIONS, LLC In the Zona Magazine Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole, or in part, of any text, photograph or illustration is strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher. See our website for a list of schools and businesses that distribute In the Zona Magazine. In the Zona Magazine P.O. Box 26317 • Tempe, AZ 85285 inthezona.com Contact us for more information about the Coyotes “Kids First” Hockey program for children 4 - 8 years of age! 602-957-9966 www.arcadiaice.com 4 \ December 2013 inthezona.com