We’re the Lucky Ones.

You know…

We are pretty damn lucky to be dancers. I don’t ever think how much my life would be changed or effected by dance when I was to be the age I am now. Back in 1988 until 2001, dance was class. It was something I knew I loved and couldn’t live without and something I looked forward to every single day.

I did not at the time realize who the people teaching me were going to end up being. World famous choreographers and entertainers, convention owners, dancewear company owners, et cetera. Little did I know that those people would end up being my friends, while still being mentors, all these years later. When I have the opportunity to be in their class, either to take or to observe, I listen to every single word they say and STILL absorb it all. Even if it is the same speech that they have been giving since I was 14, I still cling to every word. Because even 16 years later, they still hold true. 

Little did I know that what I was learning and what I was doing at the time would effect how and what I would create as a choreographer. Little did I know that what I would eventually create, would bring people to tears. Little did I know that those tears would motivate people to reach out to me and contact me for work or even just to thank me for doing what I do. Little did I know how often I would be moved to tears by such beautiful and authentic choreography and dancing. It is such a beautiful thing to be able to experience once a month or so. 

Little did I know, that the lessons I learned as a young dancer would then be passed on for generations as I became a teacher. The ones that go beyond pointing your feet and straightening your legs. Lessons of preparation. Lessons of responsibility.  Lessons of accountability. Lessons that turn into a strong work ethic. The lessons that in turn, make you an effective adult in society. The ones that get you jobs and promotions. 

Little did I know, that I would be able to sit and watch people dance, day in and day out and never tire of it. Little did I know that this teaching and dancing thing that I love so much, would take me around the globe. 

Little did I know that I would be a student for the rest of my life. I thought once I left the studio, that I was a pro. Little did I know how little I actually knew. We often think we know everything between the ages of 13 and 23 (roughly). Boy. Was I wrong. 

My good friend Mark Meismer once said “We aren’t curing cancer. We aren’t fighting the war. We are doing chaine turns. We are dancing. It’s not that serious. So have fun.” I have always tried to keep that mentality. Through every thing I have done in this dance world. Winning is cool, but having fun is cooler. Life is so much easier when you aren’t pressured. Yes, we all want to do well and improve, but if there is no joy in it, those trophies, ribbons, first overalls and everything that came along with it, are all pointless. 

Stop being concerned about the ‘best dancer,’ because that ‘best dancer’ is only concerned about themselves. Remember why we do this. Think about where you want to take these experiences, both in and out of the studio, and just dance. Happy Monday, everyone.

The Double Standard of Dance – A Letter to Parents

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Yesterday, a fellow teacher friend of mine and I got to talking about some things in the dance world and finances came up. We started to then talk about how big of a double standard dance has when it comes to a lot of issues. In regards to it being an extra-curricular activity, it falls into the other activities as vocal lessons, piano, hockey, baseball, football, volleyball, etc. 

Just like dance, you have to pay for those coaching and mentoring services. In dance, I feel like people are actually OKAY to go without paying their bills. In my experience across the country, people who are involved with club sports pay those bills on time without question. 

In dance, if we sit a kid out because their parents didn’t pay their tuition, we become to mean teacher or owner. In sports, it’s just fine. In piano and vocal, you don’t get those lessons if you don’t pay. If a dance doesn’t show up to rehearsals and are pulled from dances, it’s mean and singling them out. In sports, it is understood that if you do not practice, you will be benched. 

So why is it that dance has such a double standard? Do people think that all we do is frolic around in tutus and tights? The answer…? Absolutely we do not.

We don’t pull them to be mean or single them out. We pull them from their classes and dances because we must teach them that there is always a consequence for their behaviors, whether positive or negative. Trust me, we don’t want to pull them from dance. We know how much it hurts them and we know how much they love it. When we pull them from activities, remember that it is no one’s fault but yours. Most of them can’t drive and most of them don’t have the money to pay the bills that you signed a contract about. It is your responsibility to do so, so when I hold my end of the contract up, don’t come after me.

We teach them the responsibility or showing up prepared for classes. We teach them the value of teamwork and dedication. We teach them that there is a right and wrong way to do what we do. We teach them the importance of hard work and dedication. We instill in them that in order to grow, you must be dedicated and hard working. We show them that you don’t always get what you want, but you will get what you need. We teach these young adults to be athletes AND artists. We teach these kids the same exact things that sports teaches them. So why do people think it is okay to go without paying their bills?

For the most part, the money due to your studio is not staying within those walls. Studios serve as a service to transfer funds. Your costume money goes to the seamstress or the catalogue company that they ordered from, not the owner. Your rhineestone money goes to who we bought the rhinestones from, not the owner. Your competition fees go to the competition, not the owner. The convention fee goes to the convention for classes, not the owner. Even what you pay for tuition goes to things like paying the staff, electricity, water, cleaning supplies, office supplies, etc. So when youu are late on your bill, the studio is late on their bills. When you don’t pay your tuition, the teachers and studio owners and directors that you love so much and your kids admire can’t pay their bills. 

So next time you think, “My dance bill can wait,” think again. Look at the bigger picture. This is just as much a business as your hairdresser, your nail tech, Starbucks and Walmart. 

With all of this being said and off of my chest, understand that we do love your kids and truly appreciate your business. This is just a friendly reminder that while this is what we love and are passionate about that, at the end of the day, it is indeed a business.

Thank you,

#DanceTchrProbs