Solo Saturday

Nine to nine;

Dolly's got nothing on me.

Coaching and cleaning choreography.

On The Road, Again.

I love teaching workshops out of town.
I hate driving to the workshops out of town.

An Education

Watching young artists apply my note;
We both grow.

#Truth

After teaching full day of dance my body feels broken;
Regardless of how young I feel––I’m not twenty one anymore!

Just Dance

I’m always nervous working with new dancers.
You never know exactly what to expect.
Will they be talented?
Will they have technique?
Will they enjoy my choreography?
Will they learn something from me?
The minute I get into class, introduce myself and put the music on I relax and remember, oh right, they just love to dance as much as I do––that’s why they’re there.

Dance Class at BDC

Preparation done;
Teaching class is an art forum.
Inspire and lead!

Class

Whirling through the air,

Dancers will fearlessly soar;

Advil required.

Day Off

After a very long (and rewarding) week of teaching in NYC,
I'm ready to relax and enjoy a mimosa and brunch with good friends.
As soon as I can convince myself to get out of bed and hobble to the shower.
#EveryMuscleInMyBodyAches

Again. Step, Kick, Kick, Leap, Kick Touch.

(A la A Chorus Line)

God I’ve got to learn it,

I’ve got to learn,

I teach the class tomorrow night!

Forcing myself to learn someone else’s choreography to sub a class…

It’s not that I don’t enjoy learning dance combinations,

I just don’t enjoy it.

I’ve spent 20 years learning, rehearsing, perfecting and performing other people’s work.

Which has given me the opportunity to start creating work of my own that people hire me for! (Thankfully)

So when I have to go back and learn something a specific way, I turn into a spoiled brat!

Nevertheless, a gig’s a gig! So…

Again. Step, kick, kick, leap, kick touch.

Artist's Who Can Do Both!

For over sixteen years, I have made a living out of harnessing the passion that lives inside.

Determined to manifest my childhood dream into a career has not always been easy. In fact, some would say it's been downright brutal.

Nevertheless, my passion, (fading) idealistic ideas and the need to release my creative energy has continued to motivate me forward--

On my journey, I've encountered soaring highs and devastating lows.

I've toured Europe. Performed on The Great White Way.  I've even been spotted on a few popular TV shows and movies.  

As grateful as I am for those moments, they are just that. Small bursts of success that have inspired me with just enough incentive to continue "living the dream."

Which by the way, I am NOT dismissing.  I am so thankful for every ounce of opportunity I've experienced along the way.

I've also been fortunate not to hold down a "real" job.  That is to say, I've never temped or worked a true nine to five job.

I have however supplemented my income by teaching.  I started teaching dance while I was still being taught.  (If you're a dancer, you'll understand this.)

As I continued to grow as an artist, my ability to teach and choreograph flourished.  However, I would not say that I was passionate about teaching.

Teaching was a means to an end.  I could do it well, and make enough money to "get by" while still pursuing my art.

As I continued to get older, my distaste for teaching grew stronger.  Sure, I found flickers of inspiration from talented students, and I always make the best of every situation, but I was really starting to resent teaching.

I often wondered, "When will it be my turn to have my dream career, and not HAVE to teach anymore?"  Plus, I was never able to mute that terrible saying that echoed through my head:

"Those who can do. Those who can't teach."

It's awful!

Naturally, I've fought that voice on a weekly base for the past sixteen years, because teaching really does provide the perfect job solution.

It wasn't until this morning while rereading The Artists Way by Julia Cameron, that my entire outlook on teaching changed. In the new Introduction, Julia offers her own insight on teaching, "I was 'called' to teach and I answered that call somewhat grudgingly. What about my art? I wondered. I had not yet learned that we do tend to practice what we preach, that in unblocking others I would unblock myself, and that, like all artists, I would thrive more easily with some companionship, with kindred souls making kindred leaps of faith."

A spark snapped in my mind.  Yes. It makes perfect sense, I am the most creative and productive when I'm teaching a class!  I'm happier. More inspired, and though I often complain on my way to the class, once I arrive, the students encourage me. 

So thank you Julia Cameron for enlightening my point of view.  I am a better artists, because I teach!

Which fuels me to respond to those who discount teachers with a quote of my own-

"Those who CAN do "it" well enough to teach others, do both!"

On Teaching Dance

The thing about teaching teenagers:
Sometimes you break through;
Sometimes they break you!