When junior Ashley Gonzales made the decision to change her major to dance last spring, she had no idea how quickly her life would change. In just a few short months, she will spend 90 days traveling across the U.S. dancing as a Blue Devil.

The Blue Devils are a world class, internationally competitive drum corps that is known for being 15 year world champions. Out of hundreds of applicants from all over the world, Gonzales was accepted for one of six open spots. There she will will perform choreography alongside world class musicians all set to a theme-hoping for a 16th championship win.

An accomplishment of this magnitude did not come without a journey, which began when Gonzales was beginning her third year at Sacramento State.

At the time, Gonzales was studying interior design, where she didn’t feel quite at home. When Gonzales started the program, she thought it would be a way to combine her interest in art with a stable career. However, after Gonzales realized interior design was not for her, she felt pressure to stay in the program.

“I just felt miserable. I realized it wasn’t for me, but I kept feeling myself trying to force myself to try and like it. I was scared because I knew if I quit interior design, I would not know what to do,” said Gonzales. “My mom wanted us to be able to be independent. I already went this far and felt I had to do it. I was not looking forward to it.”

In the meantime, Gonzales decided to audition as a dancer for Imbue, a winter ensemble, as a hobby. She had danced in high school so she was confident she would do well. Once at the auditions, she became embarrassed after she was told her skills were at a novice level.

“When I came back to dancing, I had to start from scratch when everyone else was

taught at a professional level,” said Gonzales. “Every time I would try anything I was told that I was dancing the wrong way. I was kept on the team, but everyone was saying I needed to get cut from the team.”

Gonzales realized she was not as strong a dancer as she thought she was, however she was determined to redeem her pride by improving her skills. She was mad, but she began to feel something she had not felt since studying interior design-drive.

“I had to jump from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high. I felt like such a tiny little fish in a freaking sea. I didn’t want to let anything stop me.”

From there she began taking dance classes at Sac State and found the courage to change her major and follow her newfound passion as a dancer.

“When I first thought of dance majors, I assumed there wouldn’t be anything emotional. Then I realized you can use your creativity to manipulate your body however you wanted. That is what changed my mind,” said Gonzales.

Soon after changing her major, Gonzales improved and she went from being in the back of the group to performing lead roles at Imbue and in the dance department.

“I went from being the worst to having all the main parts. Now when I dance, I have no boundaries,” said Gonzales. “My imagination comes out. Even though it is someone else’s choreography, I can make it my own.”

In the dance department, Ashley says she has formed a family there that offers support alongside her Imbue family.

“It is a family in the dance department – It is so nice. You get so close with your classmates and professors,” said Gonzales.

Professor Lorelei Bayne Yacur, Vice Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance describes Gonzales as a rare jewel because of her courage.

“Ashley is a pleasure to work with and has limitless potential as a dance artist,” said Yacur. “I speak for all dance faculty when I say that we can’t wait to see where her journey as an artist takes her.”

This support pushed her drive to go after her dream of joining the Blue Devils. Despite her accomplishments thus far, she was still nervous. The prestige behind the team has made the competition for auditions intense. With only six openings for the team, Gonzales competed against hundreds of other young adults from around the globe for a spot.

“I only had one shot to make it. It was my last year to try out because once you are 21, you can no longer compete in drumcore,” said Gonzales. “I knew if I didn’t try it now I would never have the chance again.”

Then one day during a phone call with her father, Gonzales found out the results. Out of six spots, she was able to beat competitors from around the world. She made it.

“I could not believe it. I started screaming. I was feeling on top of the world,” said Gonzales. “Everyone was congratulating me and I received so much support.

Looking back on how her life has changed after changing her major, Gonzales credits letting go of past fears to her accomplishing her goals.

“You don’t realize what you have in front of you until you step back. I feel good because I’m actually doing something with my life,” said Gonzales. “Forcing yourself to be happy is never going to get you anywhere. I feel really proud of what I’ve done and overcome. I’m so lucky.”

Now Gonzales faces one more challenge, to raise $3000 for her tour fees, which cover her food, training and travel expenses. A Go Fund Me account has been started to help Gonzales raise money. This can be found at http://www.gofundme.com/6eiub8

Alex Hernandez can be reached at [email protected]