It came as no shock to many of Barry Gans friends and family to learn he was accepted into one of the most prestigious schools of dance in the country, Juilliard.
Dance is something he has worked his whole life at perfecting.
"When I was really young, before I could even walk, I was dancing," said Barry. "I would hold myself up by just standing and shaking."
"Even when he was in diapers, the chicken dance song would come on and he would just come running into the room and start dancing," confirmed Barry's mother Lorian Gans.
The road leading up to Juilliard hasn't been easy.
He had to opt out of traditional high school in order to maintain a strict dance schedule.
Gans instead opted to attend INSPIRE,and Idaho Connections Academy.
The online tuition-free public school allows the flexible schedule Gans needs in order to be able to to practice upwards of 60 hours a week.
"That's been difficult, but it's something that I have to maintain to be able to do what I want, but I love doing it even though it's sometimes challenging," said Gans.
Gans said he wouldn't have been able to get to the level of dance he is currently at if it weren't for the help of his teachers at INSPIRE, and his family and friends.
"First, let me say we did not get him into Juilliard," said Lorian. "He has worked his entire life. Definitely a lot of evenings and a lot of hours driving back and forth."
Juilliard only accepts 12 men and 12 women.
While many people audition, Barry's biggest fear wasn't his competition. It was himself.
"It becomes kind of a stigma, you know, the Juilliard School. It's something that is not very approachable, but even the school itself says if you don't audition you won't get in.
It's difficult to cope with for a bit, like am I worthy of being able to go to that school? Is someone else more worthy? But it's a personal conversation you have to have with yourself," said Barry.
Although he is unsure of his plans after Juilliard, his parents are confident it will be nothing short of amazing.
"There is no limit. He will do anything he wants. Anything he sets his mind to," said Lorain.
For a link to a fundraising page for Barry,click here.
