Grey

The carpet in my hotel room;
The sky outside my hotel window;
The color of the eggs at the hotel continental breakfast.
Vibrant yellow:
The feeling I have inside remembering that this is my last weekend of travel for a month!

Remembering Why I Create...

Taking a moment to appreciate the past four months;
The chaos which lead to overwhelming and stressful situations;
Stifled creativity and quick to agitation;
Feeling uninspired and questioning my path.
Then––a deep breath and a flicker of presence.
A charge of motivation; I took action.
The work wasn’t brilliant––but necessary.
Throughout the darkness, I continued to search for light.
Radiating beyond the thick haze of frustration and fear––I found my voice, again.
I was fortunate to spend last week setting a new piece of choreography on the dancers at Slippery Rock University.
Their exuberant idealism and energy recharged my soul giving me the opportunity to release my thoughts and emotions on a canvas of talented artists.
The brought my journey, my choreography, to life.

Life On Tour; Choreography

The story unfolds spontaneously when I turn the music up;
The bass kicks in and leads my soul, while the lyrics simultaneously instruct my body to turn, leap, and transition across the floor.
In the studio, everything makes sense.

Solid Gold

After nearly two decades of friendship I’m so excited that my friend Tracie and I can still choreograph all day and talk all night.
True, we’re not as young as we used to be––and we don’t drink as much as we used to––but we can still inspire, challenge, and laugh with one another.
My grandma always used to say, “Make new friends, but keep the old. New friends are silver and old are gold.”
Her friendship is more valuable to me than all of the gold in the world.

Any Press Is Good Press!

My book, So You Want To Be A Dancer, was mentioned by Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night;
It was part of a segment that Jimmy rants about book titles that might not be a selling point.
The irony, is that my book is getting four times more attention thanks to his joke.
How did he (or his team) find out about my book?  Is it fate or just dumb luck?
Who cares–––I’ve been a fan of Fallon since he was on SNL.
When he started on The Tonight Show, I knew his voice and playful humor was going to resonate with a new crowd.
Now, my book––and potentially me (if he takes me up on my offer to teach him some fresh new dance moves) are a part of television history!
Despite being the butt of a joke on late night, my credibility as an author just skyrocketed.
Just ask our president elect...”any press is good press.”
P.S. Buy, So You Want To Be A Dancer here!

Truth On Tour® (Again) 3.0

The fluorescent lighting of TSA reminded me that I'm back after a short reprieve; my life on tour continues.

Leaving my family in LA—I will miss the laughter and love.

Instead I'll find comfort in collaborating with creative dancers.

This trip will mark my first full-length concert dance piece; both exciting and overwhelming, but I'm ready for this journey! 

It's the packed airplane that has me sweating.

Dance Life

Standing in a room full of talented artists who tell stories with their bodies;
Men and women who have inspired me on my journey as a dancer–turned–choreographer, I take a deep breath and smile––I’m standing shoulder to shoulder with my heroes and we’re connecting, laughing, and sharing our passion.
We’re gathered to celebrate movement on television––and without it, where would I have found my passion?
I grew up in front of a TV set; studying the moves of my favorite actors, singers, and dancers; now I’m collaborating with them.
#DreamComeTrue

Wake Up

It's 5AM on Sunday;

Passengers look like zombies in a Halloween parade.

The line for coffee is too long, despite the intoxicating chemicals Dunkin' Donuts surely infuses. 

I love my job—I hate travel days.

Solo Saturday

Nine to nine;

Dolly's got nothing on me.

Coaching and cleaning choreography.

Travel Day

Parking at a cement graveyard of cars,

Left abandon for days as their navigators fly to exotic locations like Cleveland, OH for work.

It can be brutal—almost as dreadful as the walk across this sea of pavement to the shuttle bus; 

Just in time for it to pull away.

I Love My Job

Step, kick, kick, leap, laugh, step.
There’s nothing better than doing what you love with talented people.
#SecretChoreographyProject

Travel Day

Waiting at the gate like vultures;
Everyone wants to be in the first boarding group.
I blame roller bags.

An Education

Watching young artists apply my note;
We both grow.

Another Week, Another Airport

The birds are chirping in unison;
They’re so happy to be up at 6AM.
I am not––but it’s all part of the lifestyle.
Off to spread my creative energy; Pittsburgh look out, I’m headed your way!
#TheGlamorousLife

#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 Life

Choreographing;
It’s what hotels were made for.
The dance life on tour!

A Day On Set

The enormous room,
A blank space for creating;
I love a soundstage!

Six Word Essay on Dancers

Life is soaring through the air!

Choreography

I was convinced that the only way I could be happy was if I was performing.
However, after watching Rachel Platten execute the choreography I taught her while crushing her vocals at last nights Radio Disney Music Awards, my mind has been changed.
Rachel owned that stage like the star that she is, and I felt like I was soaring up there with her.
Dare I write this? It almost feels better to watch someone you’ve helped, shine!
She inspired millions, and I was a part of that.
So it really isn’t all about me?
I think I’m growing up.