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Where Diligence Dances Louder Than Perfection: The Shift That Builds Legacy

 The dedicated artist quickly becomes acquainted with difficulty, tough days and that sort of tug-of-war with mastery. I'm sure you've been there. It's those moment s y ou need to analyze after relaxing into the burning muscles and deep sigh because who is thinking about anything else while trying to stay alive in ballet? Since beginning my dance career, I have always been coached by incredible teachers.  Literally!  Dale Shields, Lydia Abarca-Mitchell, Erin Jaffe-Gardner and so on. While still a high school student, I learned to handle the demands and pressures of dance training to become a professional. I wouldn't say that tough moments feel unfamiliar to me, it's knowing how to deconstruct them for greater outcomes.  Yesterday I learned that I don't need to be a crazy perfectionist in order to elevate my body, mind-body connection, artistry or overall beauty. At this point in my career, I am unlearning and relearning a couple of things. I enthusiasticall...
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A Tribute To Mel Tomlinson

In today's article I would like to share a few of my heartfelt thoughts.

Last week I came across an article that spoke very highly of the late and great Mel Tomlinson. Mr. Tomlinson was a wonderful creative. He was a dancer and then became a teacher of dance. To point out the main idea of his career I have to let you know that he soared in the companies of New York City Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. During his time he also performed with Boston Ballet and North Carolina Dance Theater. If you must, take a pause right here and imagine your endless possibilities as a true artist. It is important to note that an artist of Tomlinson's caliber will never be achieved through mediocrity. For those who dream of making an impact through dance, doing things that will change and propel society, know that while it takes excellence and diligence, it is indeed possible. 

Mr. Tomlinson respected his work and was repected because of it. The year Heather Watts needed a partner for Agon, Mr. Balanchine exclaimed, with what I can imagine to have been mixed with a heart of relief, "I've hired Mel!” What I found beautiful is that Mr. Balanchine knew of Tomlinson before he began working with City Ballet. What an honor! I just choose to believe that if dancers were that amazing then, and had stories so wonderful that we still glean from them now, anything is possible. I find it incredible that Tomlinson, on top of being previously known my Mr. B, had the privilege of being the only dancer to learn Agon from the original choreographer and the original muse, Arthur Mitchell. How blessed! Before Mr. Tomlinson passed he earned his doctorate in Theology and impacted a group of people he'd been connected to later in life. 

To round off the article I will share an exchange that represents my belief of what truth and authenticity looks like within the dance world. “Mel asked him [Mr.B], ‘Am I here because I’m an artist, or am I here because I’m an only-est?’ — and by only-est, he meant the only black man in the company,” Ms. Folts said. “Mr. B. said, ‘You know you’re my dark angel, but that’s not the only reason you’re here,’ and he went on to explain that all of his dancers were flowers in his garden and that they were all different, and that’s what he liked. Mel was another flower in the garden.”



Kourlas, Gia. Mel A. Tomlinson, 65, Ballet Star and 'Agon' Interpreter Dies". 

The New York Times, February 13, 2019


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