CAP Alumni:
Alyssa Park
Get to know Alyssa Park and hear about her experience with CAP.-
Name: Alyssa Park
Where you are going to college: Yale University
Describe CAP in three words: nurturing, transformative, empowering
Favorite repertoire you’ve gotten to learn at CAP: I loved getting to learn an excerpt of original repertoire Bruce McCormick created for and set on students at USC.
Inspiration is… My parents!
How has CAP shaped your college and career goals?
Going into the college application process, I was incredibly indecisive about the path I wanted to take. My interests span seemingly disparate worlds, and CAP helped me realize that I did not have to define my future by choosing just one of them. CAP supported me through every part of the application process, from preparing pre-screens and auditions for dance programs to creating supplemental videos for colleges I was applying to academically. Additionally, CAP further cultivated my love for dance. Although I ultimately chose not to pursue a BFA in dance, I know that dance will remain an important part of my life in college and beyond, as CAP has given me both the passion and commitment to continue pursuing it.
What opportunities at CAP have felt the most impactful and why?
Of all the opportunities CAP has provided me, the workshops have been among the most impactful. They gave me the opportunity to learn directly from and build relationships with professors and directors from many of the colleges I was considering. I was able to have personal conversations with faculty members, ask questions specific to my goals and interests, and gain an understanding of their programs that I could never have gotten from simply researching them online. These interactions helped me better understand what I was looking for in a college while allowing me to form meaningful connections with faculty members who later became familiar faces throughout my college audition process.
The workshops also gave me the opportunity to prepare for auditions year after year, both for college programs and summer intensives. Every workshop placed me in a room with new teachers, techniques, styles, and choreography. Although that could feel intimidating at times, repeatedly putting myself in unfamiliar environments taught me how to adapt quickly, trust my training, and become more confident in my own artistic voice.
What advice would you give to someone looking to join CAP?
My biggest advice would be to make the most of every opportunity CAP gives you and to stay open to growth in every form. You don't have to know exactly what kind of dancer, artist, or college student you want to become when you join. Absorb as much as you can, and take advantage of every class, workshop, conversation, and connection, even if it feels outside of your comfort zone!
How did you decide you wanted to commit to Yale? Tell us about what influenced your decision?
Choosing Yale was ultimately about finding a place where I would not have to choose between the different parts of myself. Going into the college application process, I initially felt like I had to decide which version of my future I wanted: one centered solely around dance or one centered solely around academics. But the more I learned about Yale, the more I realized I could pursue both. I was captivated by its rigorous academic environment and the opportunity to study psychology and medicine, but I was equally drawn to the vibrant art scene and the fact that dance could remain a meaningful part of my college experience. Ultimately, Yale felt like a place where I could continue challenging myself academically while still holding onto the artist I had spent so many years becoming.
How did your application process experience differ from how you imagined it?
I expected the college application process to focus mostly on my academics and dance achievements, but it was much more personal and demanding than I imagined. Balancing auditions, applications, essays, and regular dance training was challenging and required me to manage my time carefully. I also learned that every college looks for something different in its applicants, so I had to learn how to communicate not only my abilities and accomplishments, but also who I am as a person and artist. Overall, the experience helped me become more comfortable and confident with sharing my unique story.
If you could take one thing you learned at CAP or from Paige with you as you enter this next chapter, what would it be?
If I could take one thing I learned from Paige with me into this next chapter, it would be the importance of resilience and commitment. Paige was constantly pushing me to be my best self, even when that meant challenging me to step outside of my comfort zone or hold myself to a higher standard than I thought I could reach. She taught me that growth does not always happen when things come easily, but when you are willing to keep showing up, even when you are frustrated, uncomfortable, or unsure of yourself.