Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an OCSA student? Have you ever been curious about what the day of an OCSA Production & Design stage manager looks like, compared to a dancer or visual artist? This year, we wanted to get an inside look at the daily lives of some of our incredible artist scholars.
Up next, Saira Arias, a senior in the Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory (BF). Here is what she had to share about her day-to-day experiences as an OCSA student:
What does your average day look like?
“Usually, I wake up at around 6:30 a.m. every day. It takes me about an hour to get ready and pack my stuff for the day. I am usually out the door at around 7:40 a.m. and get to school at around 7:50 a.m. I get to school, do my schoolwork and then head to conservatory, which is my favorite part of the day. I also dance for a professional Folklórico dance company, Relámpago Del Cielo Grupo Folklorico, which is run and directed by OCSA’s Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory Director Marlene Peña-Marin. I also dance for Ballet Folklórico Las Estrellas, which is the performance group for my conservatory.”
What’s your favorite part of the day?
“My favorite part of the day is definitely going to conservatory and rehearsal. I feel like I am always the happiest when I get the opportunity to learn and grow as a dancer, and everyone there really makes you feel welcomed. I am just so passionate about my art form that I can never get tired of it. I constantly want more.”
What is the most rewarding part of your week?
“The most rewarding part of my week is when I get to rest and be with my family, which usually only happens on the weekends. I think just getting to wind down and rest your mind and body is always great, especially after everything that goes on during the week.”
How would you describe your experience of the academic portion of the day?
“Overall, I really enjoy my academic classes and I truly do find them very relevant and meaningful. I feel like I am constantly always learning something new, my teachers are always supportive, and always find ways to keep me engaged. I feel like I am very privileged to be gaining academic knowledge from OCSA as it is one of the best within California, but I also do get stressed out at times because of how busy my schedule is.”
How would you describe your conservatory experience?
“My conservatory experience has truly shaped me into the dancer I am today. When I got to OCSA for the first time six years ago, I strictly trained in folk dance. When I walked into conservatory for the first time, I was exposed to new dance forms right away. I went from only dancing folklórico to now training in ballet, modern, contemporary, and flamenco. Although it was tough for me to get used to moving my body differently, I slowly got the hang of it. I noticed that because of the training in these other styles I was able to do a little more within folk and was able to add that extra layer within my dancing. I think accessing these classes through conservatory is such a privilege. Every day I come to conservatory with the opportunity to learn and grow as a dancer, and I just feel so lucky to be able to have that opportunity. If it wasn't for the conservatory, I would not be the well-rounded dancer that I am. The teachers strive to push us past our limits, which is something I really appreciate. The overall environment of the conservatory is just so motivational, and it truly makes me happy.”
What do you think makes your experience unique from a typical high school student experience?
“OCSA is very different from a traditional high school. When I first got here there were many times when I thought about leaving for the sake of earning a traditional experience, but I'm so glad I didn't. I really believe that if you are passionate about your art form and want to pursue a career in the arts then OCSA is the right place for you. The training you get at OCSA will never compare to another high school, so being here is a great advantage and will push you as an artist to an even deeper level.”
What do you think is unique about your experience in Ballet Folklórico?
“I think belonging to the Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory throughout the past six years at OCSA has made my experience very different when compared to other conservatories. When I first got here a lot of the other kids didn't really know what it was or how it was considered dance. Because of that, it was up to us to educate and spread awareness of our culture since our conservatory is the only one that is directly related to a specific culture. I think being able to belong to something that is so personal and meaningful to me has made my experience far more enjoyable, and I have done my part in educating my peers who are watching from the outside.”
Do you have a favorite conservatory class?
“As of right now my favorite conservatory class has to be History of Ballet Folklórico. In this class we dedicate our time to do research and dig deeper to discover the meaning behind the dances we put on stage. We learn about the different customs and traditions within the states of Mexico and how they relate to dance. We talk about different costuming choices, music choices, instruments that are used, etc. We also talk a lot about our ancestors and research the influence that folk has had from both Africa and Europe. I really love this class because I really enjoy learning about the meaning behind certain things in dance and I think just getting the opportunity to research on a topic I really enjoy makes me super happy and fills me up with even more knowledge.”
Do you often have additional rehearsals/practice/etc.?
“The only time I have additional rehearsals is when it comes to shows for OCSA which usually happen in December and in April. Usually, I have a month of rehearsal for the preparation of the winter show, as it is a smaller show that teases the material that will be presented in the spring show. Our spring show is the biggest show for our conservatory. Preparation happens all year, but tech rehearsals last two months. During these rehearsals I have a really good time. I'm able to be with my friends almost all day and we are all doing something we love together. It’s a bonding moment for us and we all grow and become closer.”
What is the best part of being an OCSA student?
“The best part about coming to OCSA is being able to have the opportunity to train in our art form on a daily basis. Not only that, but being able to have access to such a high rigorous academic program that ultimately prepares an individual for the real world. Coming to OCSA has taught me that all young people here in Orange County, and across the nation, have access to the same experiences that myself and many OCSA students have. A first rate education, and exposure to the diverse benefits and traditions that drive an evermore interdependent complex world and an opportunity to experience the joy of learning. Coming to OCSA has taught me that no matter what you pursue in the future, whether it be in the arts or in another field, you and your accomplishments will always be celebrated.”
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in high school so far?
“Out of my four years of being in high school, I think my biggest challenge has been learning how to manage my time in order to still be successful in my academic classes. I think coming to OCSA can put a lot on your plate and, at times, can be very stressful. I think just prioritizing what is most important is key and the rest can be dealt with later. Remember that you are only one person and only so much can be done, your mental health is important!”
What advice would you give an incoming student in your conservatory?
“If you are an incoming student to the Ballet Folklórico Conservatory, the biggest piece of advice I could give you is enjoy your time here and really take advantage of all the conservatory classes you have access to. Your time at OCSA will go by fast and even though it seems like graduation is very far away, trust me, it will creep up on you. The conservatory provides each individual with such high dance training and allows you to really evolve within folk, if you really put your all into it. There are so many people that wish they could have your spot but you are lucky enough to be here, so use it! Make sure you're paying attention in your technique classes but also make sure you're putting in the same effort in your ballet and modern classes, as those are really the biggest forms preparing you for your dance future.”
How do you balance your time?
“Coming to OCSA demands a lot from an individual, from conservatory, rehearsals, and academics. For me, since I have so many rehearsals on a weekly basis, I try to get most of my work done through the academic day, especially during Office Hours. Even on the days when I don't have much to do is when I find myself to be the most productive. I think balancing and prioritizing is the best way to be successful and get work done.”
How different is your typical week now compared to your previous years as a Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory student?
“I think I started to experience the biggest change in my weeks during the middle of my junior year. In the beginning the change was really hard because I was ]struggling with managing my time and being successful in school because I found that I didn’t have enough time. As the weeks continued, I figured it out and started getting into the flow of things. I also think talking to adults and others in my life for advice was the greatest thing I could have ever done for myself. As of right now, as my senior year is slowly coming to an end, I feel pretty confident with how well my time has been managed throughout the year and I definitely feel that it has improved compared to my junior year. Throughout my years at OCSA, the Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory has slowly been recognized a bit more and a lot more opportunities have been put out there for us, and that is something I really am grateful for.”
What are your goals post-graduation?
“Through my experience at OCSA and life in general I have learned that I am extremely passionate about my art form and have decided to pursue dance as my lifelong career. Not only am I passionate about dance, but I have learned that I am really passionate about teaching the younger generation. I think Ballet Folklórico is just now reaching its surface level, and it is about to reach its peak. With even more opportunities and recognition coming up for cultural dance, I feel that it is my duty to become an advocate for Ballet Folklórico, and take my knowledge as a dancer and teach it to younger kids. This fall, I will be attending Orange Coast College with a focus in dance and in early child education. My plan is to be here for two years and hopefully transfer to a California State school or UC to earn my Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and a Bachelor of Arts in child education. My lifelong goal is to continue to teach and advocate for Ballet Folklórico and hopefully become a dance teacher in the near future.”
Stay tuned to learn more about OCSA’s amazing students and their unique experiences as we continue this series, “A Day in the Life.”