The Voice Within by Larga Vista Dance (video by BeccaVision)

This piece was created by Adelita Hinojosa-Martin, artistic director of Larga Vista Dance and oncology-certified registered nurse. The words at the beginning of the piece are by Miho Ryu, in response to Adelita asking if she'd be willing to share some thoughts that go through her mind as she is going through the challenging process of chemotherapy for her breast cancer recurrence. "What is a concern that comes up in your mind, and a calming thought that helps you refocus?" Miho's response: "There have been many moments when the treatment felt so painful, and being unable to dance felt so devastating, that I found myself wondering what reason I had to keep going. But whenever I reach that lowest point, what rises from the deepest part of me is always the same thought: 'I want to dance.' Not next year. Not when I’m healed. I want to dance now. Because this present moment, this connection to life right now, is what time and life are made of. To honor that desire, I push beyond the fatigue and discomfort. Even if it’s only for one minute or five minutes, I try to stand up and dance. I encourage myself, gather my strength, and keep moving. Again and again, my body and spirit may fall, but in the end, I keep finding the strength to continue because I still want to dance. To live fully. To dance fully. That desire keeps bringing me back to life🫶" This piece was inspired by Miho's words, from a nurse's perspective. This piece was created for Miho Ryu, as part of a fundraiser to help her as she undergoes chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. The show was organized by The Next Stage Project, held at Peridance Studios in New York City, where many artists performed to support our friend Miho. Choreography incorporated short sections of dancers' improvisation (all rights of choreography to Larga Vista Dance) Dancers: Lana Hankinson, Adelita Hinojosa-Martin Music: Breaking the Cycle by Keith Merrill ; She is the Earth by Etelea (we do not own the rights to the music) videography by BeccaVision