Sophomore Sora Teramoto learned how to dance when she was two years old when her mother signed her up for dance classes. With dance, Teramoto was able to overcome the anxiety she felt being apart from her mother and set new goals for herself. She has now been dancing for fourteen years and is on a fine arts scholarship for dance at Heritage.
Teramoto has placed in the top three in competitions such as the Miami International Ballet Competition, Grand Prix and the Korea International Contemporary Dance Competition. She was invited to visit dance workshops in Hong Kong and was selected to become an assistant for an Intrigue Dance Convention, a place where dancers get together to share and teach choregraphies.
Teramoto’s inspirations for her dances can range from the day’s weather to the dancers she watches at her competitions. “Seeing the brilliance in the world tends to stimulate me in whatever I’m doing,” Teramoto said.
“If I am ever out of inspiration, I might leave a section of the choreography open and move on to a part I am more motivated to do,” she said. “I’ll return to that part the next day or whenever I feel mentally and physically ready.”
“‘Shift’ follows the journey of a person’s body and mind being taken over by a parasite,” Teramoto said. “On the other hand, my interpretation of ‘Baby Hotline’ observes the story of a woman who called the suicide hotline multiple times, only to be put on hold and found dead the following day.” (Photo/Sora Teramoto)
Teramoto enjoys listening and dancing to male singers such as David O’Dowda, Miracle Musical, Bo-en, Jack Stauber, Sivu, Elliot Moss and more. At her dance studio, choreographers have the chance to select their own music and teach their choreography to those who want to learn it.
“I plan on continuing to dance in the future, even if not professionally,” she said.“ I love both dancing and choreographing. I can’t see myself ever truly leaving and quitting dance forever. It is a big part of myself, and I don’t think I would be myself without it.”
“I dance with the effort to be memorable or leave an impression on someone,” Teramoto said. She is currently preparing for her future competition, JUMP Dance in late September and early October.
