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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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The Fast Track Of The Future Of Dance

 Last October during an interview I was asked if I felt that I had to work harder than other dancers because I’m black. Although this portion wasn’t included in the article my answer was a resounding “No!”. My explanation was simple, I work and love dance just as much as the next person. There is no need for me to work harder.

I don’t dance to outwork my skin tone. Neither do I dance to prove myself to anyone. In 2024 I hope this can be the mentality of every professional dance artist. It is about time we restore dance back to its regality and wonder. You know, the things that made us marvel at the throwback stories and the legends that previous decades built? We’ve gotta get back. I have said it before but none of those people (name your favorite dancers from back then) made history without tenacity, audacity and respect for the work of dance. 

December has certainly proven to be a reflective dance month for me. From being a guest artist with Ballethnic Dance Company (Urban Nutcracker), watching tons of photos and content roll in from dance companies all over the world (more of nutcracker), watching dance-lovers everywhere celebrate the triumphant performance of The Dancers of Syracuse and witnessing the Dew Drop downpour of New York City Ballet’s India Bradley and Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Alexandra Hutchinson, I have been sitting in a pool of thought-provoking questions. It is also bliss because I know change is on the wind.

I have been speaking about the woes, happenings and gems within the industry of dance for a while now. With so much changing, and rather quickly, I am looking forward to what is to come. With so much to be accomplished who has the time to worry about stereotypes or to people please? 

My stance will always be, as Joan Myers Brown put it [my] audacious hope. I hope my mindset and informative inspiration can positively impact the world of dance as it morphs beyond the last 4 years with gentle nods to the ones we have learned and love. 


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