My name is Klaudia Ecklon Asmussen, and I’m 16 years old. I’m an exchange student from Denmark, spending an incredible year in Carlsbad, California. I arrived back in August and have been living with the wonderful Kerckhoffs family while attending Sage Creek High School.
I have always been a performing arts girl, and now even more than ever. I have been a dancer all my life, always singing, and always dreamt of being on stage, but I have never really had the opportunity or places to do it.
When I found out I was gonna go to Sage Creek High School, I started checking out what programs and classes I could take in the performing arts. I saw that they have an incredible theater, dance, and music program. I, of course, immediately signed up for all three.
I was so excited to finally be able to pursue my dream of being on stage. The school year at Sage Creek is divided into three trimesters, and I'm currently in the third and last trimester.
A glimpse of the charity concert I did with the Jazz club at a restaurant.
In the first trimester, I had music, where I played multiple instruments and learned to read music. I have also become the singer of the school jazz club. We have rehearsal on Tuesday mornings, and we performed a concert at a restaurant, arranged by the jazz club leader for charity.
I have had theater for all three trimesters with the sweetest teacher, Mrs. Jillian Porter, and it has been so fun, and I've learned so much. The school produces about two to three shows a year, and I was so lucky to be a part of the winter musical, which was Annie Get Your Gun—it doesn't get more American than that!
The European Tour: the opening of act two of Annie Get Your Gun. Here I was a can-can dancer from France.
I've gotten so many amazing and talented friends through theater in class and by doing these shows. Currently, I'm rehearsing for two shows: one in school, which is SpongeBob The Musical, and Beetlejuice at Star Theater, a community theater in a town over, with my school friends. It's an absolute dream.
Me and my sweet drama teacher Mrs Jillian Porter.
I have danced hip-hop pretty much all my life, but I haven't danced in the last three years, so I was so happy to come back to do what I love the most.
I started dancing in the second trimester, and it has been the most amazing class ever. My dance teacher, Ms. Sarah Eichler, is such a talented dancer, and she is the sweetest and most caring person I have ever met.
One of my favorite photos. Me and my dance teacher Ms Sarah Eichler, who’s the sweetest most caring person I have ever met. She really means a lot to me.
I have learned so much in all dance genres, and I've grown as a dancer. We are currently learning choreographies that we will perform at a dance show in May.
I'm so grateful to have such an amazing teacher who really cares, believes in me, and makes me believe in myself. She has really boosted my confidence as a dancer and as a person.
Me and my Dance class. I have such talented, and nice classmates who always support each other.
Going back to dance has really made me realize that I'm definitely going to pursue it for the rest of my life, maybe even on a professional level.
Throughout the year, I've not only performed in the arts but also seen a lot.
My host sister, Kate, plays the violin and is in the chamber orchestra at school. I have gone to see her concerts, and it amazes me every time how incredible everyone is. They all play at a really high and professional level.
Kate also does improv classes at a theater in San Diego. My host family and I often go to see comedy improv and sketch shows, either in San Diego, or we sometimes cruise down to LA to see a Groundlings show.
One of my host sister’s orchestra concerts, with the music teacher Ms Juliana Quinones as the conductor.
I have also seen multiple musicals and plays throughout my stay. I have gone to see shows my friends were starring in at community theaters and other performances around. I love going to my host sister’s concerts.
I’m so grateful to my host family for giving me the opportunity to achieve all of this.
Their support and engagement—going to my shows and being interested in how the shows are coming along by asking questions—mean so much to me. My host mom actually found the Beetlejuice audition and encouraged me to try out, and it turned out that many of my friends were also auditioning. So everything turned out amazing in the end. I’m so excited for them to see the shows I’m currently working on.
Me and my host family on a trip to Warner Brothers Studio in LA. Next to me: my host sister Kate. Next to her: my host mom Marie. Behind me: my host dad Roy.
This experience has been so amazing. The things I have experienced and learned have really changed me as a person and made me realize what I want to do with my life.
I have met the most amazing, talented, and caring people, and I feel so loved and lucky to have them all in my life.
