Page 24 - CJA Spirit Spring 2021
P. 24
Step by Step
ike any dancer, Inspired by John, Julia’s passion
Julia Hartweger '22 for dance has simultaneously
Llearned the brought a passion for working
with kids with special needs. She
movements one step at a has been involved in shows with
time. In tap, she started with Variety – an organization that
the shuffle. In ballet, a plié. puts on productions that include
Julia began dancing at 9-years- kids of all ages and abilities– as
well as Stages Academy – a dance
old practicing four to five days
STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR every style she could, from cognitive or developmental
training academy that also has a
a week – six on a good week.
program for people with physical,
Over the years she has mastered
delays called Access the Arts. The
ballet to hip hop. She landed her
summer before her freshman year
first performance at The Muny
at Cor Jesu (summer 2018), Julia
at 12-years-old as a munchkin
volunteered at a dance camp with
in "The Wizard of Oz" and has
Access the Arts. She loved it so
performed in countless shows
since, including her performance
again the next summer (2019).
as Eponine in Chaminade High
“It was two things I love,”
School’s production of "Les much that she decided to volunteer
Miserables" where she was Julia said. “Musical theatre and
nominated for 2020 Outstanding dance, and volunteering with
Leading Actress in the Saint Louis kids with special needs.”
High School Musical Theatre After her second round of
Awards. Plus, she is a member volunteering at the Access the Arts
of the Cor Jesu Dance Club. camp in 2019, Julia decided she
Amidst the excitement and wanted to continue this work and
success, Julia's favorite part start a camp of her own that same
about her budding musical and summer. So just like learning new
dance career has been sharing choreography, she took creating
it with her brother, John. her own dance camp step by step.
“John is two years younger than
me and has a dual diagnosis of
down syndrome and autism,” Julia
said. “He loves musical theatre, too,
Photos, top to bottom:
so we’ve always had a connection Julia Hartweger ‘22 and her brother, John.
through that – it’s a special John Hartweger with a fellow dance camp student.
thing we can enjoy together.” Julia with her 2019 dance campers and instructors.
Julia performing as Eponine in Chaminade
High School’s production of “Les Miserables.”
Julia performing in her dance studio’s
January 2020 Winter Showcase.
22 SPIRIT MAGAZINE SPRING 2021
