My name is Lena Hardy and I am a self-taught hip-hop dancer. I have always been surrounded by the different flavors of music and different dance styles especially growing up in church. Dance is my home away from home because it is where I am the freest and the most open with myself. I love to challenge by trying out new moves and different genres of music because dance is so versatile. Growing up, dance was always my hidden talent because I didn’t want people to know because I would be afraid of what they might think, but as I got older and began showcasing my talent, I’ve become more in tune with myself and the song that I am dancing too. I also love having audience watch me.

When my mom had her school of the arts, I loved when she taught tap dancing because I wanted to take on another dance style. She taught me ballet, tap, jazz, and praise dancing. Before hip-hop dancing in front of an audience, I would praise dance at the church I was attending at the time with a group of girls and that’s why I used to be so used to dancing in a group. The first time I ever had to solo a praise dance, was when I was about 15 years old and I loved it because I could interpret the words my way and the whole dance was a freestyle.

I never choreograph a dance for myself. I just listen to same song over and over until I can pretty much sing it without the music. All my hip-hop routines are freestyle because I want the audience to understand me as an individual and hear the story that I am telling through dance. Every song I choose is a song that relates to me the most and as well as the audience because I can tell the story so much clearer.

Aside from dancing I am a pageant girl, a Stock Associate, a girlfriend, a math-science lover, an older and younger sister, and a daughter. The song that I have chosen to perform is Here by Alessia Cara because I really connect with the most. I hope the audience can understand the story I am telling and enjoy my talent!