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 do V&