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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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Unquenchable Passion To Dance: Remembering Delores Brown

 If I am being honest I feel a bit overwhelmed. After seeing the news about Delores Brown's passing I also felt a bit empty. Having nothing that could fully express my thoughts on her, my connection to her and what her passing has created in the world of dance, I decided to blog.

Here at The Artist Impression I do not shy away from hard topics or controversial conversations. Last night I sat and thought why God allowed Delores to go? Even with the professional arena of dance being filled with tried and emerging artists, I cannot help but to feel that her life was a constant declaration of victory to dance. Deep down I anticipate her life's work, and more importantly her courageous passion for ballet (dance) being briefly acknowledged just to fly in the wind days later. While I am not encouraging stifling mourning, I am challenging the world of professional dance and dance training (that'll lead to a career in dance) to build off of Delores's respect and passion for the art and craft of dance. 

I am also challenging myself. As I continue to dance, teach dance, speak and educate on dance I will tell stories that can propel and build the next crop of legendary ballerinas and dancers. By God's grace, I met and spent time with both Delores Brown and Raven Wilkinson just weeks apart. At the time I had not understood the magnitude of such blessings being given to me. It is more clear now.

According to my path from dance training to professional ballet, I would not have even been a candidate to be in the presence of such greatness, world changers. It was my understanding that their likeness and women of there magnitude were only reserved for the dancers who'd trained in notable programs. My connection to dance didn't begin that way. I was not in that category so I relegated myself to youtube video and history book mentions. Soaking in the essence of who they were and what that meant for now, certainly educated me. Dance history is a love of mine. I still cherish those outlets. However, nothing was like spending time and speaking with them. 

Dancing, teaching, walking and advocating with these fragments of trans-generational greatness, I do my part to ensure such a meaningful legacy never fades. 

Delores, you will be missed and your legacy will have no chance at being forgotten.




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