Alumni Story | Class of 2021 Graduate Ana: Hear It from New York

Ana Rivas, a BIS graduate from the class of 2021, is currently working on her BFA in performing arts with emphasis on Dance Theater at AMDA.

Ana is a versatile student. When studying at BIS, she was a full DP student, a ballerina, an athlete, a student council member, and a leader of a B.E. club. With her excellent DP grades and rich experience in arts, she was accepted by over 10 universities around the world, including California Institute of the Arts, York University, University of Oregon, and etc., with the total scholarship reaching 130,000 USD.

Out of her passion for art, she decided to choose the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, located in New York City, the heart of performing arts of the whole world.

source: amda.edu

 

New York is not a city, it is a whole world, and whoever comes to New York will never be able to live fully anywhere else. There is always something going on, a show, a play, a musical, a concert, there is always somewhere to go, a museum, a gallery, a theater and there is always someone to be with. As an arts person, I couldn’t be happier; dance, music, singing, painting, sculpture, writing, you can feel them all in the air and in the people. Like my acting teacher makes us say every day, “You know New York, you need New York. You know you need unique New York.”

source: amda.edu

As a young artist whose dream is the stage of the world, Ana did her full IB Diploma at BIS from 2019-2021. What are Ana’s thoughts on how to “survive” the IB Diploma Program?

I personally enjoyed the IB Diploma Program, there is so much more to it than the suffering. You learn to think, to be thankful for the opportunities you have, you open your mind to new ideas, new cultures and challenges. You will be prepared for college, and hopefully for life, as the IB Diploma Program is not only about the academics. I believe the most important thing to keep in consideration during the program is balance. There must be a balance in your life. This means time for your family, for your studies, but also for your friends and for having fun with them! To be able to have this balance time management and organization skills are key! If you have these skills or know how to develop them, you have nothing to worry about.

What are Ana’s suggestions on choosing DP subjects?

DP subjects are challenging, and it is important to think carefully, consider your strengths and recognize where you need to improve when choosing not only the subject, but its level.

With this being said, when you choose your DP subjects, I would suggest for you to consider:

• What do you want to study in college? Yes, I know this is hard. Personally I didn’t know what I was going to study at college when I chose my subjects. If you don’t know what you want to do, don’t stress out, it is normal, but if you do know, take that into account when choosing your subjects.

• What are your strengths? Are you a numbers person? Do you do better when using your logic or when deducing answers? Do you feel more comfortable when you’re given a problem to solve, or when you must find the problem, analyze it and solve it based on what you’re learning? Take your time to get to know yourself!

• Do not consider your previous grades. Grades do not necessarily measure how ‘good or bad’ you are on a subject. This is different from what we have been told, but believe me, the DP program subjects are designed for you to enjoy your learning in the subjects you choose. If you take your time to think through your subject choices the grades will come as a result of enjoying the learning process.

• It is your choice. Nobody knows you better than yourself. You can ask for advice from your friends, family and teachers, but the one enrolling in the subjects is you, hence, you have the final call!

 

What are Ana’s thoughts on extra-academic activities/competitions?

As I mentioned before, there must be a balance. Extracurricular activities are what make your high school experience unique and unforgettable. I am so thankful for my best friend, Lucy, I learnt a lot about balance with her. I joined different sports teams like volleyball and soccer, she encouraged me to try a new style of dance, kPop (which is now coming in handy in NYC!). Everything that you can do in high school you have to do it. Being busy with schoolwork is not a good excuse.

Ana participating in ASDAN competition 

Ana leading the Ballet club 

Ana as a member of student council 

 

What are Ana’s thoughts on university applications?

Applications are a roller coaster… I loved the process, the writing, the thinking, but I hated the waiting… University applications will take tons of time, hence I would suggest you to GET IT DONE before senior year starts… Use your summer holidays to write all the essays or short answers you need to submit, read about your programs, learn about your colleges, and do not procrastinate! Yes, it is scary to think about colleges, but it is scarier to think that, because you waited to apply later, you could have done something to get into your dream school, and you didn’t make it.

The university you choose and the program you start is not necessarily a final choice. We are very young when we graduate from high school and start college, and we have all our lives to study, learn new things, get to know ourselves, and find our path in this world. Follow your passions, follow your dreams, don’t give it up, but be objective and real.

What are Ana’s thoughts on the student life in AMDA?

In terms of my university – AMDA – I am having a lot of fun. There is a lot to learn everywhere and from everyone and there are a lot of opportunities to take advantage from. There are millions of places where you can take extra dance classes of a lot of different styles, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, ballet, hip hop, dance theater and millions more I learn day by day. In the city, the lights will keep you dreaming while awake and then you realize that this is the place you’re now calling home…

What are Ana’s thoughts on her future studies and career?

Currently I am working towards my BFA in Performing Arts, I want to be a performer, I want to go on stage, and dance, maybe sing, maybe act. I want to travel the world doing what I love, and show people why art must be appreciated. Additionally, I would love to complement my career as an artist with something more academic, I’m still not sure what, or how, but I’m working on it. As soon as I figure it out the BIS community will be the first to know about it!