“I feel like my work ethic comes mostly from being in ballet for so long. Like any other sport, you’re striving for perfection. You’re always trying to improve yourself, and you’re always pushing yourself.

You always have to think about what you’re eating. Am I working out? Making sure I get enough sleep. Stuff like that does translate to everyday life, too. Especially with something that was like an athletic career and also a performing art at the same time.

I feel like I’m more aware of where I can strive to be better. Even when I’m working (as a web designer), I’m always trying to learn more and always trying to observe others that I’m working with, whether it is a positive or a negative experience. Overall, it’s always going to be a positive outcome because I’ve learned from how I engage with that person.

When I think about how I can be better at being a service provider as a designer, it’s very similar to being a performance artist, where you are constantly working to provide the best outcome for the target audience—like a website that I’ve created for you. I hope you’ve enjoyed working with me that way. But I also hope the result, the resource that I created, is something that is beneficial moving forward, and we have a good relationship.

In ballet, it’s the same thing. You came to be entertained. I’m trying my best. I put all this effort into being the best I can in that one moment for you when you’re watching me. In that sense, I feel like it’s the work ethic I’ve developed. I’m always trying to improve myself. I’m always trying to provide the best outcome in every moment. That is always something I’m striving for.

Professionally, I didn’t do it as long as I wanted to because of an injury. I moved out to Utah to train with Ballet West during my senior year of high school. That’s also how I was able to go to the U because I became an in-state student, and I could afford it. So it wasn’t quite 10 years since I performed with Ballet West. It was a very short-lived career, which was disappointing with how much work I’d put into it—basically my whole life—training since the age of 3.

Most people understand it more when you like compare it to something like gymnastics. It’s something that you have to start when you’re really young because of the way your body develops over time. So it’s something that you have to like consistently keep that flexibility, and you’re always morphing your body basically to grow.

It’s one of those things where it’s a love-hate relationship because you dedicate so much time. It’s also heartbreaking because it is such a short career. And I had an even shorter career. When it ends abruptly, or you don’t have a full idea of what you want to do next, it’s really challenging.

That’s where it’s tricky, too. You could still dance, and yes, you could still do it professionally and push through the injury, but because it is also related to an art form, it has to look right. That’s what’s tricky with ballet: When you have an injury that affects how you’re able to move. Yes, you can still go and keep dancing professionally, but you’ll likely be limited on what you’d be able to do or if you’re hired or cast a certain way.”

— Kaya Aman, senior web designer, University Marketing & Communications