b'As the competitive dance world continues to evolve, more to build a successful health-based business. Azara Ballet fulfillsdancers face the mental pitfalls of perfectionism, anxiety, and her lifelong desire to dance professionally while also changingmany other unhealthy habits. Imperfections and differences are the ballet narrative and inspiring others to never give up on theirwhat actually make dancers beautiful, wrote Maddy York for dreams.Slick, astudent-runnewssitefromHuntingtonBeachHigh Martin has danced nearly every day of his life for the last 20School. As a dancer myself, I am a victim of this reality. The years. After being diagnosed with autism at age 28, he has beenphysical and mental burdens of dance often over- able to reflect back on the many struggles he faced aspower my love for this art, but it will always a young, undiagnosed child. Creating Azarahave a place in my heart. Regardless, I Ballet has been a way for him to contin-will never surrender to this negativ- ue dancing professionally while alsoity.Exposingtherealityofthe being able to use his story to helpdance world, I vow to advocate other neurodivergent individualsfor those of us who battle the thrive through the art of dance. undeservedlabelsandstan- SincetheirNovemberdardswefaceeverydayin 2023 debut, the non-profit pro-hopesofcreatingabetter fessionaldancecompanycon-environment for the dancers of tinuestoreachouttochildrenthe future. withautism,adultswithKateFlowersandMartin ParkinsonsandotherswhoselivesRoosaare are the founders and direc- can be enhanced through dance classestors of Azara Ballet with the ultimate goal and performances.Ubeing to uplift people through dance. Kate wastragically unable to pursue her dream career as a profession- Azara Ballets 2024/2025 Season Premier is Novemberal dancer. The unhealthy aspects that sometimes exist within bal- 16 and 17, 2024 at Ovation Black Box Theater inlet culture led her to suffer from eating disorders that turned into Bradenton, Florida. For more information, visitdrug abuse by age 16. After over a decade without dance, Kate www.AzaraBallet.org/Performancesfocused on recovery, and used her newfound passion for wellnesswww.TheNewBarker.com THE NEW BARKER 29'