Dancing4Jesus

Most advanced dancers take som e form of classes over the summer, whether that's a weekly class your studio provides, a summer intensive, or something else. Today I'm going to give you some tips on how to build on what you learned over the summer. Stay in touch with friends and instructors.  This one isn't about progress in dance, but it's still important. If you went to an intensive at another school, you probably met some new people. Try to keep up with them. If you have the opportunity, send the teachers you had a thank you card or text.  Use corrections you got from your teachers. If you took any summer classes, it's almost guaranteed you got several corrections. Use those in your dancing as you start regular classes again. Your teachers will most likely notice your advancement, and it might be useful later on during casting or level promotions.  Use compliments you got from your teachers. Don't forget about the compliments you got! Did a teacher say you hav...

Here's 8 reasons why dance is good for us: It's a workout. You have no idea how hard an advanced dance class is until you experience it yourself. It's definitely a workout. If you don't believe me, just look at how muscular a dancer's legs and core are. Not to mention, we stand with our entire body weight completely on our toes, so that builds strength in the feet, ankles, and calves. It teaches you to learn quickly. In an advanced class, 30 seconds to a minute is how long you have to learn a combination, before being expected to perform it correctly and gracefully. Not to mention, there's usually about 10-15 combinations in a class. It makes us great listeners. In a dance class, you've got to listen constantly. If you zone out for ten seconds, you'll miss half the combination or corrections.  It trains you to never give up. As a dancer, giving up isn't an option. Excuses aren't okay. At my studio, saying "I can't" isn't allowed...

I had asked God to make H is will for my life very clear, knowing that my own hopes would blind my eyes to His path for me.  Father, if you want me here, dancing at my studio, let me become an apprentice and  get to continue teaching . That was the prayer and commitment I had made a month earlier. I had been moved up to Apprentice, but I hadn't heard a word about my teaching position.  On Wednesday, July 7th, I went to my studio to help relay the flooring, since we'd taken it to the performance venue a month before. When I walked into the studio, I glanced at the staff room. I walked past, not putting my stuff in there because I didn't know if I would be continuing to teach anymore. . . . About a half hour later, I was chatting with the Production Director as we were laying the floor, when she casually asked me if I would like to continue to teach. My eyes got big as I stuttered in my excitement and nodded my head. I tried to express my excitement, but being caught by sur...

 As a little girl, I would watch in awe as the "big girls" danced en pointe, with grace and skill, and longed to be one of them. I've danced at my studio for eight and a half years. Although I've been promoted to the next level almost every fall, there's been two times when I've been held back for a year. There's also been times when I've been moved up mid-year.  The last three levels at my studio are called Echappe, Apprentice, and Company. Apprentice is pretty much considered a part of the Company. They take classes together and perform together. The only difference is that the Company members perform solos, while students in Apprentice are mostly understudies for the Company. Echappe is the last level before this, and for that reason, it's a big deal to get moved up to Apprentice. Once you're in Apprentice, it's just a matter of developing your skills enough to become an official Company member. But like I said, Apprentices still get to ...