November 2017 Blog
Thankfulness
By Heather Hardesty - Professional Mentor
Greeting to all! This is the season of the year that I look forward to the most - Thanksgiving through Christmas. I guess it's because the weather changes, the days get shorter and it's when we get to see all of our extended family. It's also a time to reflect upon what we are thankful for.
So besides owning my own business, I get the honor of teaching kids from ages 2-12 during the week in various different settings. Every November I start class by asking each one of them what they are thankful for. The answers range from predictable to downright adorable. Some examples of what my students say (I am not making some of these up!)
- My mom and dad
- My dog
- My cat
- My horse
- Butterflys
- God
- My toys
- My bed
- My teacher
- Shoes
- Candy
This always brings a smile to my face and also makes me reflect on what I'm thankful for not just personally, but in my profession. I would love to share with you things that I'm thankful for in my chosen profession.
1 - I'm thankful for trust. I'm thankful everyday that my corporate office trusts my decisions regarding how I run my business. I'm thankful for other professional teachers who see the value in sharing ideas and collaborating and trust that you will not use them in a negative way. I'm thankful for the trust the parents put in me to teach their children weekly. Trust is a hard thing to give people and it's even harder to keep. I'm so very thankful I've earned the trust of those around me.
2 - I'm thankful for creative freedom - I'm thankful that I'm allowed to use my creative freedom in what I do. With Kinderdance I do follow lesson plans, but I'm allowed to insert my own creative touches. I'm always given complete freedom creatively with my classes outside of Kinderdance and I love to see what my students and I can create even if it's sometimes predictable or way out of the box.
3 - I'm thankful I can still dance - Let me explain what I mean. I'm thankful I have the time and resources to go and train still at my older age. I love to take class and be the student even if I'm 20 years or older than some of them. I feel that my love for my profession will sustain longer if I keep training. I always tell my family and students that as long as I can still move, I will still dance. I'm also thankful that my 11 year old now thinks it's cool rather than being mortified by it.
4 - I'm thankful I can mentor others at the beginning of their journey. I'm humbled, blessed and thankful for those that turn to me for advice on things dance related. I was so thankful for my mentors growing up that I enjoy paying it forward. I remember what it was like having a class of 15 kids ages 7-8 who I was convinced downed pixie sticks before coming to class and nothing I did classroom management wise helped. I remember what it was like having a parent scream in your face for something they didn't read. I remember what it was like growing a business (I still am growing). I remember what all those things were like and I'm thankful to help others navigate through them.
5 - I'm thankful for a family that understands my crazy schedule. I have a husband and a daughter who understand my schedule and never give me grief about it. I'm so thankful for this! It also makes me be more present when I'm not teaching, at a performance or marketing.
So as we enter into a busy holiday season I urge you to take a few minutes to sit down and reflect what you are thankful for. Thank you for taking the time to read my November blog and may an abundant amount of blessings be bestowed upon you.
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Thursday, October 12, 2017
October: Heather Hardesty: Why aren't kids allowed to fail?
Heather
Hardesty: Why aren’t kids allowed to fail?
Welcome
to a new dance year everyone! Thank you TFDE for the honor of being a
professional mentor again this year. I’m always so excited to
start new classes full of eager students willing and eager to learn.
I also love getting new dance clothes and dance shoes if I’m being
honest.
A
little bit about me for those of you who are new to the blogs. I am
the current owner of Kinderdance Austin, Kinderdance Brazos County
and Co-Owner of Kinderdance Collin County. I have taught for 25
years and currently teach children ages 2-12 through Kinderdance and
as a staff member with Cedar Park Dance Company. I also direct a
performance only dance group, Standing Ovations, at Cedar Park Dance
Company. In my spare time I sing Soprano and choreograph for the
Round Rock Community Choir and enjoy family time with my husband
Dennis and my 11 year old daughter Hallie.
As
excited as I am for new classes and the sweet faces of all the
students in them, there is a growing trend that is weighting on my
heart that I want to write about. Why are kids these days not
allowed to fail?
The
age of kids I teach are 2-12 years old. What I’m finding lately is
that I have kids in class that will dissolve into tears if they can’t
get a skill after the 1st or 2nd time and then
sometimes they will completely shut down and not want to continue
class after said skill. Why is it that when we were babies learning
to walk we would spend all day pulling ourselves just to walk a few
steps and fall to our bottoms only to get right back up and try
again? What changed from that moment to the present day? Why are
kids so hard on themselves when it comes to learning something new?
I have a few theories I would like to explore.
Theory
#1 – The pressure put upon kids from their own parents. Now I’m
not knocking parents or parenting style in any way, but I do think
parents tend to put unnecessary stress upon kids. I’m talking
about parents who are constantly glaring through the window. The
body language that portrays to the kid is “I’m watching, so you
better do good”. I also think that parents tend to be quick to
critique children when they didn’t pick up something fast enough.
Instead of saying “How did class go? Did you have fun?”, I hear
some parents tell kids “Why did you turn the wrong way in that ____
move”? Or “Why where you not listening to the teacher”. I
understand as a parent, I am one to an 11 year old, that you want
your kids to do well in their activity. You want them to excel – I
get it! I think there needs to be a shift in language. I think it’s
very important as a parent or teacher to tell kids that you take
class to learn a style of dance and that doesn’t happen overnight.
Everyone takes a different amount of time to learn new concepts –
don’t compare your journey with the journey of others. As a parent
or mentor we need to tell kids things like “Your passe in your
turns looked so strong today – I can see your confidence is
growing!” or “Your growth from last month to this month is
wonderful – you do _____ skill so well.” Here’s the reality –
most dancers will not dance after high school or college. Kids dance
because it’s fun and for some it is something they want to pursue
after high school or college, but it needs to come from the kid and
not from the expectation a parent has on the child.
Theory
#2 – Social Media. Kids these days have so much access to social
media and because of that they see some unrealistic examples of where
they should be skill wise. It’s hard when you see a 6 year old on
America’s Got Talent hold her leg all the way to her head or
busting out a triple turn. When you are a young kid you see things
like that and tend to expect that when you walk into a dance class
that in a few short months you should be doing the same. Kids then
begin putting unrealistic expectations on themselves at that point.
I really wish with all these posts there was a blurb that said
“Featured dancer has danced ___ number of years and currently takes
___ number of hours a week”. Kids don’t naturally look at videos
or Instagram and say “Wow, they must take 12 hours of dance and
started at age 2”. It’s up to the keeper of that child’s
social media to have a conversation with the child about what all
went into that result they are seeing. I think social media can be a
great thing and those posts can serve as motivation or goals – that
is perfectly healthy. What isn’t healthy is a child that beats
themselves up because they are not as good as the 8 year old on
YouTube. Again, everyone has their own journey and no two journeys
are the same.
So
what can we do to change this narrative? What can we say differently
that will give kids the confidence and the okay to fail and have the
determination to try again next week? I think when we can answer
these questions successfully we will have fewer kids in class that
will dissolve into tears or shut down.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
October: Angela Hayes: Greetings in many forms
Angela Hayes: Danceable Thoughts for TFDE
October, 2017
Let's start the first of our conversations with the topic of "Greetings."
I should quickly introduce myself. I'm Angela, retired from teaching in the public school system after 30 years. Most of those years were spent at Dulles High School as the Director of the Dulles Dolls. I've been dancing since I was 5 years old. I grew up in a ballet-based studio and went on to study at TCU. I received my teacher certification training at TWU. Over the years I've been a workshop presenter for many organizations and I have written several versions of curriculum for high school dance programs. My passion is giving students' first opportunities to interact in the world of dance. I love both ends of the spectrum: the beginners and the extremely advanced students. I call my post-teaching career business,
October, 2017
Let's start the first of our conversations with the topic of "Greetings."
I should quickly introduce myself. I'm Angela, retired from teaching in the public school system after 30 years. Most of those years were spent at Dulles High School as the Director of the Dulles Dolls. I've been dancing since I was 5 years old. I grew up in a ballet-based studio and went on to study at TCU. I received my teacher certification training at TWU. Over the years I've been a workshop presenter for many organizations and I have written several versions of curriculum for high school dance programs. My passion is giving students' first opportunities to interact in the world of dance. I love both ends of the spectrum: the beginners and the extremely advanced students. I call my post-teaching career business,
Danceable Thoughts. I love discussing everything from setting up a program to new approaches to choreography.
So let me offer you a few thoughts about "Greetings" in dance education!
I sat through many a staff development session with folks telling me to "meet and greet" my students at the door. I will admit that this was something I never fully achieved at 100% because it just wasn't realistic. I will never discourage this practice. In fact, I think this is a worthy, and lofty, and necessary goal for teachers of all types. Although as dance teachers I think we can redefine for what and where "greetings" are all about. I want to transform the vision of these greetings from school hallway to dance space.
As dancers, our greetings are not verbal, they are kinesthetic. We learn from the earliest experiences in class that we must communicate readiness. Body awareness is something we project from the moment we step in front of our students, our audiences. With dignity and a discerning eye, we might stroll to the front of the class to inspect the troop of our dancing soldiers who wait "at attention." There are those times when we stand eerily still, the pack leader among our apex dancing predators, anxious for the cue to pounce into performance. And then there are those mornings when we are the roost keeper, just doing our frantic best to herd the chickens. Every one of these roles is familiar.
The practical tip of the day is to create a non-verbal, non-negotiable way you and your students will communicate readiness and focus. You'll have to decide and rehearse it and give it time to develop into a reliable habit for your group. Don't think of it as "standing at attention." Give it a 21st century vocabulary and philosophy upgrade to something like "demonstrating your commitment."
I say that with the absolute least bit of sarcasm. Where a generation ago we were told to "stand at attention" and we complied out of deference to the rules and regulations... now we need to address a new way of thinking, so instead, ask your students to actively and purposefully focus their attentions and INTENTIONS to your group's goals for the day.
I picture myself and my peers in the early days in dance class as a little chicks, chirping and hopping around waiting enthusiastically for class to start. Miss Beverly would call our individual names and we would walk across to her, give and receive a little curtsey and then we'd take our place at the barre. To some this might seem limiting and entirely top deferential like the 16th century royal court customs from which so much of ballet derives. But to an impressionable little ballerina, this was my moment to shine and be recognized, face-to-face time with my dance idol. Now as a wise, old dance teacher, I wonder was it partly because it was a way to herd the chickens? Was this classroom management? Or was it the way she set the environment in which we learned to love and respect our class, our teacher, our art form?
Whatever purpose those first interactions were for, I classify the experience as a "Greeting" and one of the ways dance experiences trained my brain to focus. Undeniable, Transferable Life Skill.
So let me offer you a few thoughts about "Greetings" in dance education!
I sat through many a staff development session with folks telling me to "meet and greet" my students at the door. I will admit that this was something I never fully achieved at 100% because it just wasn't realistic. I will never discourage this practice. In fact, I think this is a worthy, and lofty, and necessary goal for teachers of all types. Although as dance teachers I think we can redefine for what and where "greetings" are all about. I want to transform the vision of these greetings from school hallway to dance space.
As dancers, our greetings are not verbal, they are kinesthetic. We learn from the earliest experiences in class that we must communicate readiness. Body awareness is something we project from the moment we step in front of our students, our audiences. With dignity and a discerning eye, we might stroll to the front of the class to inspect the troop of our dancing soldiers who wait "at attention." There are those times when we stand eerily still, the pack leader among our apex dancing predators, anxious for the cue to pounce into performance. And then there are those mornings when we are the roost keeper, just doing our frantic best to herd the chickens. Every one of these roles is familiar.
The practical tip of the day is to create a non-verbal, non-negotiable way you and your students will communicate readiness and focus. You'll have to decide and rehearse it and give it time to develop into a reliable habit for your group. Don't think of it as "standing at attention." Give it a 21st century vocabulary and philosophy upgrade to something like "demonstrating your commitment."
I say that with the absolute least bit of sarcasm. Where a generation ago we were told to "stand at attention" and we complied out of deference to the rules and regulations... now we need to address a new way of thinking, so instead, ask your students to actively and purposefully focus their attentions and INTENTIONS to your group's goals for the day.
I picture myself and my peers in the early days in dance class as a little chicks, chirping and hopping around waiting enthusiastically for class to start. Miss Beverly would call our individual names and we would walk across to her, give and receive a little curtsey and then we'd take our place at the barre. To some this might seem limiting and entirely top deferential like the 16th century royal court customs from which so much of ballet derives. But to an impressionable little ballerina, this was my moment to shine and be recognized, face-to-face time with my dance idol. Now as a wise, old dance teacher, I wonder was it partly because it was a way to herd the chickens? Was this classroom management? Or was it the way she set the environment in which we learned to love and respect our class, our teacher, our art form?
Whatever purpose those first interactions were for, I classify the experience as a "Greeting" and one of the ways dance experiences trained my brain to focus. Undeniable, Transferable Life Skill.
My chickens, your chickens... I'm a chicken, you're a chicken. We're all hopping around enthusiastically. We've got a lot of energy to direct but not necessarily confine to a coop.
"Greetings" from me to you as you begin your own quest and explorations as future dance educator!
"Greetings" from me to you as you begin your own quest and explorations as future dance educator!
Friday, December 30, 2016
November: Sarah Steinbacher
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.
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.
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!
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
October: Heather Hardesty
Question: What advice do you wish you could tell your 10-year-old self about dance?
Happy October! This is my favorite time of the year with all the leaves changing color, the holidays and the holiday decorations. I am crossing my fingers that the weather matches the mood very soon. So this month we are asked to blog about what advice would we give our 10 year old self.
This is such an intriguing topic and I’ve given a lot of thought to it prior to writing my entry. I think one of the things I would tell my 10 year old self would be never to doubt your ability. I think sometimes society places a certain expectation on what something should look like. I think a lot of time dancers are looked at to be very svelte and extra flexible in societies eyes in order to be successful. I don’t think this is true all the way across the board but I think that often times it’s put forth as the standard for success. I would tell my 10 year old self to not let the fact that you are not of a certain body type keep you from going to the front of the group to do the combo or volunteering to be the first to go across the floor. Love yourself for what God has given you and enjoying learning the art.
Another thing I would tell my 10 year old self would be to not be scared to take different types of classes. I think if I would have stepped out of my comfort zone a bit from what I enjoyed I might have discovered a different style that I might loved. I wish I would have had the confidence to do that because I might have taken that twirling class or clogging class.
The last thing I would tell my 10 year olds would be to find that one thing that makes you unique as a dancer and use that as a springboard towards the type of dance you want to be. Don’t feel pressured to conform to the way everyone else does something – put your own unique spin on it. Make it your own!
Happy October! This is my favorite time of the year with all the leaves changing color, the holidays and the holiday decorations. I am crossing my fingers that the weather matches the mood very soon. So this month we are asked to blog about what advice would we give our 10 year old self.
This is such an intriguing topic and I’ve given a lot of thought to it prior to writing my entry. I think one of the things I would tell my 10 year old self would be never to doubt your ability. I think sometimes society places a certain expectation on what something should look like. I think a lot of time dancers are looked at to be very svelte and extra flexible in societies eyes in order to be successful. I don’t think this is true all the way across the board but I think that often times it’s put forth as the standard for success. I would tell my 10 year old self to not let the fact that you are not of a certain body type keep you from going to the front of the group to do the combo or volunteering to be the first to go across the floor. Love yourself for what God has given you and enjoying learning the art.
Another thing I would tell my 10 year old self would be to not be scared to take different types of classes. I think if I would have stepped out of my comfort zone a bit from what I enjoyed I might have discovered a different style that I might loved. I wish I would have had the confidence to do that because I might have taken that twirling class or clogging class.
The last thing I would tell my 10 year olds would be to find that one thing that makes you unique as a dancer and use that as a springboard towards the type of dance you want to be. Don’t feel pressured to conform to the way everyone else does something – put your own unique spin on it. Make it your own!
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