‘I think I'll be doing this for a long time'

Young dancer prepares for May 20 recital MONROE - With three costume changes, Cara Aubry-Shea will have to be as fast as lightening on her recital day. The 13-year-old Monroe resident, a third year student at the Orange County School of Dance, is a recital veteran, having taken part in five performances locally and at her previous dance school in Queens. “My dancing expresses a lot about me,” said Cara, a student at Monroe-Woodbury Middle School. “Dancing gives you something to look forward to. It makes me happy.” Cara will be part of three classes performing jazz, ballet and pointe routines at her May 20 recital at Monroe-Woodbury High School, which will highlight and demonstrate the proficiency that she and her classmates have achieved during this past dance school season. She admits that she is a bit tense. “At recital time, there’s a lot of nervousness going on, but each year I get a little calmer,” said Cara. “As students, we try to work as hard as we can. It’s exciting for us to get up on stage in front of everyone and it’s a great feeling inside when you hear the applause of the crowd.” Like most young women, Cara began taking tap and ballet lessons as an early age. She now coordinates her dance schedule with softball games but knows schoolwork is the priority. “School is more important,” she added. With just a few days to go, her costumes are hanging neatly over her closet door. Professional photos have already been taken in her favorite outfit. She expects to have a debate with her mother over the amount of make-up to be worn. But she plans to be part of a great show attended by her parents, sisters and brother and hopefully her grandparents from Queens. “I have friends who are not dancers at my school who want to come and see the show,” she added. And on the day of the recital, she and the dancers at her school will do their best to show why dance is such a wonderful example of personal expression. But how does it feel when the performance is over? “I’ll feel I’ve done my job and that my dance teacher is proud of me,” Cara said. “Dancing is a passion of mine. I think I’ll be doing this for a long time.”