ALUMNA OF THE MONTH - MARCH 2011
Name:
Bethany Weber
AIB Program:
Sport Business in Europe 2010
Current Job Position:
Dance Instructor and Choreographer
About studying abroad:
“My time with the AIB Study Abroad Program in Bonn, Germany was by far the most phenomenal experience of my life. I have made indescribable memories and some of the best friendships with people from all over the world, which I know will last a lifetime!
Without this program I would not have discovered my passion for disabled sport and regained my love for dance. I hope to one day culminate my passion for helping children with mental and physical disabilities with my love for teaching and inspiring children to dance and I owe it all to my experience with the AIB! I wish I could relive my study abroad over again, and I strongly urge students to take this opportunity!”
Bio:
This girl loves dancing! Bethany has been dancing since the age of two and received most of her 20 years of training in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, and pointe. During her years of studio dancing she received many dance scholarships and awards at competitions across Texas, including 1stplace and Platinum awards at West Coast dance Explosion for her lead role in "The Greatest Stories Ever Told."
Bethany attended Port Neches-Groves High School, where she was the Captain of the Indianettes dance team and was the Choreographer for the high school's award winning showcase choir, Indian Singers. During her time as captain, she led her team at Walt Disney World in the parade at Magic Kingdom in 2006, was accepted into the National High Kick Company, and awarded Most Outstanding Performer at American Dance/Drill Team. She was also a solo finalist and invited to peform at the Macy's Day Parade at MA Dance Camp for two years.
Bethany is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University, where she was a member of the Texas Aggie Dance Team. During her time on the team she was part of American rapper Soulja Boy's performance; and, performed at Big 12, NIT, and NCAA basketball tournaments and season games across the nation. At Texas A&M she was also part of Fade to Black hip-hop dance ensemble. With Fade to Black she choreographed contemporary pieces and performed in salsa and hip-hop routines.
Yet, due to an unexpected medical issue later resulting in surgery, Bethany had to put her passion for dance on hold her last year of college. She spent remainder of her college career focusing on her major, Sports Management, by working for Texas A&M football and the Director of Athletics. Prior to graduation, Bethany finished her degree and traveled with the Sports Management program to Bonn, Germany, where she participated in the AIB summer study abroad program Sport Business In Europe. It was through this program that Bethany discovered her passion for disabled sport and youth.
Upon graduation, Bethany immediately began her dance training again. In December 2010 Bethany was given her biggest and most prestigious dance opportunity and auditioned to be a back-up dancer for the Black-Eyed Peas at Superbowl XLV. Two weeks later she received a phone call that she had been selected as one of the elite Cubehead dancers that would perform on stage on February 6,2011 during Superbowl Halftime. She was afforded the opportunity to work with Fatima Robinson, who has choreographed for Michael Jackson, Usher, Prince, Rihanna, President Barack Obama's inauguration event, and numerous other artists, films, and awards events around the world.
Currently, Bethany resides in Dallas, TX where she is a dance instructor and choreographer for Highland Park Dance Company and continues to choreograph, judge, and instruct for other companies in Texas. When Bethany is not teaching or performing, she volunteers with different disabled youth and sports events. She is presently a professional dancer with Alter'd Ego Dance Company and hopes to be able to continue her dance education and expand her dance career.
