November: What are you grateful for as a dancer?
(something you can't live without, or what dance does for you etc)
In the month of November, the major holiday/event that occurs for most people is Thanksgiving. There is so much that we as people and even dancers that we take for granted, that we should take a step back sometimes and truly realize all that we have, but not just what we have physically but also the opportunities that we have. One of the things that I am very thankful for as a dancer is UNCSA. The dance program here is so great, but a part of what makes it so great is the instructors. The instructors while your biggest critics, they are also your biggest supporters. They stay on your butt about every little thing, but it of course is not because they don’t like you, or they are mean. They stay on you because they care and many times they see things in you that you don’t see in yourself.
I am thankful for my family most of all. I would not be anywhere in this league if it were not for my family. They are always encouraging me and have given me full support to pursue my dreams. My parents especially have been a large help and support in this transition into my adulthood. The long conversations and advice that they give is something that is so valuable. One of the things that my parents have taught me, is to stay true to who I am and remember to put God first. And at this point in my life, that has been tested in so many ways, but I am so grateful that I had that teaching growing up, and now I can avidly apply those principles.
As a dancer I simply cannot live without other dancers. Being able to engage with other people that have the same goals as you is just an incredible experience. They work hard and are absolutely breath-taking. They challenge you of course technically, but they also challenge you to see a different point of view, and keep an open mind. Everyone is so informative and there are many opportunities to just simply observe and learn different ways others do things. Even more so than other dancers, I am so grateful for rest. After spending the past 10.5 weeks rehearsing/learning a ballet 6 days a week, I now understand and even appreciate rest. It is vital that we do get some rest, because as dancers we put our bodies through such intense activity that we can burn our bodies out.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and eat lots of food. But mostly appreciate and take advantage of the opportunity that is present to spend time with your family. And I even challenge you to not only just say Happy Thanksgiving, but to tell at least one person why you are truly thankful for them.
Karen Searles has truly helped shape me not only into the dancer I am today but the person that I am today. She has seen me at my highest and at a pretty low point as well. She encouraged me to keep pressing on no matter what challenges stood in the way. She has gone above and beyond what any teacher is expected to do for her students. She helped me get to where I am today and is one of my biggest supporters. Mama Searles introduced me to so many new ideas and really made me think about my future. I love you so much Mama Searles, and thank you for everything you have done. But thank you for everything you continue to do not only in my life, but in the life of many other students as well. Seeing and hearing from other students how you make an impact just warms my heart. Because of you so many have been inspired and changed. With you so many have been able to learn and grow. Please keep running the world the way you do! Happy Thanksgiving!
(something you can't live without, or what dance does for you etc)
THANKSGIVING
As a dancer we are grateful for so many things. And there are some stereotypical things we are grateful for to. Of course we all have that one teacher that has impacted us in ways that are more than just dancing. In the month of November, the major holiday/event that occurs for most people is Thanksgiving. There is so much that we as people and even dancers that we take for granted, that we should take a step back sometimes and truly realize all that we have, but not just what we have physically but also the opportunities that we have. One of the things that I am very thankful for as a dancer is UNCSA. The dance program here is so great, but a part of what makes it so great is the instructors. The instructors while your biggest critics, they are also your biggest supporters. They stay on your butt about every little thing, but it of course is not because they don’t like you, or they are mean. They stay on you because they care and many times they see things in you that you don’t see in yourself.
I am thankful for my family most of all. I would not be anywhere in this league if it were not for my family. They are always encouraging me and have given me full support to pursue my dreams. My parents especially have been a large help and support in this transition into my adulthood. The long conversations and advice that they give is something that is so valuable. One of the things that my parents have taught me, is to stay true to who I am and remember to put God first. And at this point in my life, that has been tested in so many ways, but I am so grateful that I had that teaching growing up, and now I can avidly apply those principles.
As a dancer I simply cannot live without other dancers. Being able to engage with other people that have the same goals as you is just an incredible experience. They work hard and are absolutely breath-taking. They challenge you of course technically, but they also challenge you to see a different point of view, and keep an open mind. Everyone is so informative and there are many opportunities to just simply observe and learn different ways others do things. Even more so than other dancers, I am so grateful for rest. After spending the past 10.5 weeks rehearsing/learning a ballet 6 days a week, I now understand and even appreciate rest. It is vital that we do get some rest, because as dancers we put our bodies through such intense activity that we can burn our bodies out.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and eat lots of food. But mostly appreciate and take advantage of the opportunity that is present to spend time with your family. And I even challenge you to not only just say Happy Thanksgiving, but to tell at least one person why you are truly thankful for them.
Karen Searles has truly helped shape me not only into the dancer I am today but the person that I am today. She has seen me at my highest and at a pretty low point as well. She encouraged me to keep pressing on no matter what challenges stood in the way. She has gone above and beyond what any teacher is expected to do for her students. She helped me get to where I am today and is one of my biggest supporters. Mama Searles introduced me to so many new ideas and really made me think about my future. I love you so much Mama Searles, and thank you for everything you have done. But thank you for everything you continue to do not only in my life, but in the life of many other students as well. Seeing and hearing from other students how you make an impact just warms my heart. Because of you so many have been inspired and changed. With you so many have been able to learn and grow. Please keep running the world the way you do! Happy Thanksgiving!
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