Madilyn Cashio lives to dance СAPP and she came to UL Lafayette to make a career of it.
СAPPI dance all day, every day,СAPP she said. СAPPDancing is fun to me. ItСAPPs not a chore. So, I have to make sure that my hard work stuff is done СAPP doing my math homework, doing dishes, all of that is done before I can do the fun stuff. ItСAPPs like my reward.СAPP
Madilyn grew up taking dance classes and performing on a dance competition team at a studio in Livonia, La. until she was a senior in high school. That year, she was accepted into the Joffrey Ballet School in Dallas.
MadilynСAPPs family let her move to Texas for her last year of high school under one condition: that she return to Louisiana after the year was over.
СAPPMy dance teacher (in Louisiana) who gave me my passion for dance СAPP she actually graduated from UL LafayetteСAPPs dance program,СAPP Madilyn said. СAPPSo, when I came back home, I was like, I want to go to college. I want to make sure I have a grounded degree, and I knew nothing else would fit besides dance.
СAPPIn Louisiana, UL LafayetteСAPPs dance program is the most high-quality dance program you will find, so there was no question about coming to UL Lafayette,СAPP she said.
Attending the Joffrey Ballet School gave Madilyn a different perspective about dancing as she started college.
СAPPGrowing up, I always thought the dance world was like what they have on Instagram: all the hip hop and L.A. But going to the conservatory opened my eyes to concert dance,СAPP she said. (Concert dancers are part of a company and are paid to be full-time dancers, including traveling and rehearsing on top of performances.)
СAPPThatСAPPs UL LafayetteСAPPs strong background: concert dance,СAPP Madilyn said. СAPPI knew from the get-go it was going to be a good choice.СAPP
A Commitment to Dance
While Madilyn loves studying dance at UL Lafayette, there are still challenges.
СAPPItСAPPs hard knowing all of your friends have a lot of time, and dance takes a lot of yours,СAPP she said. СAPPBut your work ethic and your determination and the passion you have СAPP that really determines if you want to do it or not.
"It does take a special person to say, СAPPI canСAPPt celebrate because I have rehearsals this weekend for my production in the spring.СAPP That does suck sometimes, but I like to think of the bigger picture, and dance is always in my bigger picture.СAPP
Through her dance classes on campus, Madilyn is preparing for her future as a professional dancer.
СAPPThereСAPPs a different, professional side to dance,СAPP she said. СAPPItСAPPs how to go in to take a professional class and how to act in auditions and things like that. UL Lafayette has one of the most professional atmospheres СAPP I mean, yeah, theyСAPPre fun and chill, but they really show you how to apply dance etiquette in every aspect of life and do it efficiently. I think thatСAPPs one of the main things that I didnСAPPt learn growing up.СAPP
Looking to her future, MadilynСAPPs excited about spending her life doing what she loves.
СAPPEvery day, you go into a dance class, and thereСAPPs something new that can challenge you,СAPP she said. СAPPI like looking in the mirror and feeling accomplished but knowing that I wonСAPPt get bored with it.
СAPPI know there are so many different things in dance that I could try to do: I could take up ballroom, salsa, teach at a high school in Japan,СAPP she said. СAPPThereСAPPs so much variety in dance, and most people donСAPPt really know that. But when youСAPPre in college, they open those doors for you.СAPP
