What would you tell your high school self?
As I've been getting some of my students ready for dance team try outs, I thought I would do a "what would you tell your high school self" question.
As most adults would tell you, high school can be some of the most rewarding but tough years of your life! You're trying to figure out who you are, while preparing for tryouts, while studying for tests, while figuring out what the heck you're going to be when you grow up, while hanging out with friends and it can be tough and overwhelming. If I could tell my high school self something, it would be to have more confidence in yourself! You will have bad days, some days you won't be able to do your splits (even though you've been working on overextending them for over a year), some days you'll fail that set you studied so hard for, and some days you fall out of your turns, it happens! But instead of letting it get you down, use it to motivate you and push yourself harder. When the dreaded tryouts come around, don't be so scared! I would always be so terrified, but after judging my first tryouts a while back was when I realized that all my worry was pointless. Most judges want you to make it just as much as you do! If you smile, work hard, and do everything to the best of your ability, you will succeed! Of course you do need to work on your technique and stretch etc. but if you plan and work on yourself to prepare and give yourself time, you will be fine! One of the best pieces of advice I ever got, was instead of comparing yourself to the best dancer in the room, ask yourself why do you think they’re so good? Is it their confidence? Their technique? Once you’ve asked yourself that question, instead of getting jealous figure out a way to make you better. If the dancer youre admiring has amazing confidence, can you dance with more confidence? If they have amazing technique, can you go home and work every day on your technique to better yourself? Use others to motivate you, not tear you down. J
Another thing I would tell my high school self to focus more on what YOU want. As captain, I was entirely focused on how I could take my team to the next level. I was always brainstorming ways I could make my team better and how I could help people with the things they were struggling with, but I forgot that at some point I have to think about myself as well. I should have spent more time figuring out what I wanted to do with my life, and figuring out which school I wanted to go to. It would've saved a lot of money! Lol! I started out pursuing a dance degree because I loved it and than flip flopped between a ton of degrees that I thought would make me more money and give me a chance to support myself when I got older (my momma always taught me I didn't need a man!). Eventually, I changed my degree back to dance and I get to do what I love, and support myself at the same time. It's amazing how some things work out! If only I had thought more about what I wanted to do after graduating, I could've saved myself quite some time, stress and lots of tears!
Moral of the story is you're going to make mistakes and you're going to learn from them, but that's how to become who you're meant to be! Focus on being the best you can be, have confidence in yourself, and learn to put yourself first and you will succeed.
Friday, December 30, 2016
November: Juwan Alston
November: Working from a new perspective
Recently I was able to put on a different hat, and had the opportunity to be a choreographer. Every year Charlotte Ballet has an Interactive performance, where the audience is able to participate in various pieces and activities. This also gives members of the company if interested an opportunity to choreograph. But along with choreographing, you also have to design the lights and do the costuming. Everything is all on you. I loved every second of it.
I started with discovering the music. With the theme of the evening being “Everlasting Life,” I had to discover what exactly that means to me and how I could portray that in movement. There is a music composition major at UNCSA that I absolutely love named Alex Umfleet. I began exploring his sound cloud account and just listened to everything that he had posted. After narrowing them down to 2 options, I just sat and listened to them on repeat, asking myself which one moves me. I went with the one titled Elysia. I then reached out to him expressing my interest in Elysia, as well as asking for his permission to use it. I had a great conversation with him just getting more information about the piece, what it represents to him, what inspired the creation, etc.
The next phase of Operation Elysia was to cast the ballet. I watch everyone in company class and rehearsals, but I had to envision what I wanted my piece to be. At the very beginning, I imagined a pas de quatre of all women, but as I continued to observe company class and listen to the music that changed slightly. I ended up deciding on 1 boy and 3 girls. They are all amazing dancers and I knew from the moment that I confirmed with everyone, that it was going to be a wonderful experience.
Moving forward I had to create the structure and to begin choreographing. Sitting in my room with a blank piece of paper, I listened to the music, paid attention to the various phrases and tempo changes, and really studied the music. I was also fortunate to receive the score from Alex, so I could reference that as well. After having the structure, the movement began. I knew that there were certain steps that I wanted on certain musical phrases, the challenge was to really tie them together. I spent hours going through one thing and changing it to another, to make sure that you can physically see the music in the movement.
After completing the piece, I began exploring the idea of costumes. The funny thing about costumes is that I does not always look the same on a dancer as it does a hanger. They did not go with the tone of the piece, but with the help of my dancers, I was able to select something that would greatly compliment my piece. From the colors of their costumes, the choreography, and the music, I was able to tell the lighting designer exactly what I wanted. It turned out absolutely beautifully, and I truly can’t wait to experience this again!
Recently I was able to put on a different hat, and had the opportunity to be a choreographer. Every year Charlotte Ballet has an Interactive performance, where the audience is able to participate in various pieces and activities. This also gives members of the company if interested an opportunity to choreograph. But along with choreographing, you also have to design the lights and do the costuming. Everything is all on you. I loved every second of it.
I started with discovering the music. With the theme of the evening being “Everlasting Life,” I had to discover what exactly that means to me and how I could portray that in movement. There is a music composition major at UNCSA that I absolutely love named Alex Umfleet. I began exploring his sound cloud account and just listened to everything that he had posted. After narrowing them down to 2 options, I just sat and listened to them on repeat, asking myself which one moves me. I went with the one titled Elysia. I then reached out to him expressing my interest in Elysia, as well as asking for his permission to use it. I had a great conversation with him just getting more information about the piece, what it represents to him, what inspired the creation, etc.
The next phase of Operation Elysia was to cast the ballet. I watch everyone in company class and rehearsals, but I had to envision what I wanted my piece to be. At the very beginning, I imagined a pas de quatre of all women, but as I continued to observe company class and listen to the music that changed slightly. I ended up deciding on 1 boy and 3 girls. They are all amazing dancers and I knew from the moment that I confirmed with everyone, that it was going to be a wonderful experience.
Moving forward I had to create the structure and to begin choreographing. Sitting in my room with a blank piece of paper, I listened to the music, paid attention to the various phrases and tempo changes, and really studied the music. I was also fortunate to receive the score from Alex, so I could reference that as well. After having the structure, the movement began. I knew that there were certain steps that I wanted on certain musical phrases, the challenge was to really tie them together. I spent hours going through one thing and changing it to another, to make sure that you can physically see the music in the movement.
After completing the piece, I began exploring the idea of costumes. The funny thing about costumes is that I does not always look the same on a dancer as it does a hanger. They did not go with the tone of the piece, but with the help of my dancers, I was able to select something that would greatly compliment my piece. From the colors of their costumes, the choreography, and the music, I was able to tell the lighting designer exactly what I wanted. It turned out absolutely beautifully, and I truly can’t wait to experience this again!
December: Heather Hardesty
December: What would be the best present you could get right now? (Dance or personally)
Happy Holidays! This month we are asked to talk about the best gift we could receive right now. Without hesitation I would say the gift of time! This semester has brought with it many challenges and opportunities as a business owner. It’s left me wishing for more time to spend with my family, more time to devote to my faith and more time for myself. It’s so easy to say it’s all about prioritization and that is true, but sometimes when you are in so deep it’s a matter of survival.
This type of gift is one that you have to fight for and make for yourself. I’m happy to say that after a few months of overwhelming obstacles I am on my way to giving myself this gift. In the new year I will be teaching much less so I can manage more and grow my business and myself. I’m so happy that I will be able to give more of myself to my family, my faith and a little to myself. I look forward to seeing what the new year holds. I’ve got major plans for 2017 – stay tuned!
Blessings to all!
Happy Holidays! This month we are asked to talk about the best gift we could receive right now. Without hesitation I would say the gift of time! This semester has brought with it many challenges and opportunities as a business owner. It’s left me wishing for more time to spend with my family, more time to devote to my faith and more time for myself. It’s so easy to say it’s all about prioritization and that is true, but sometimes when you are in so deep it’s a matter of survival.
This type of gift is one that you have to fight for and make for yourself. I’m happy to say that after a few months of overwhelming obstacles I am on my way to giving myself this gift. In the new year I will be teaching much less so I can manage more and grow my business and myself. I’m so happy that I will be able to give more of myself to my family, my faith and a little to myself. I look forward to seeing what the new year holds. I’ve got major plans for 2017 – stay tuned!
Blessings to all!
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