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Are You Still Immersed In The Process? How Content Culture Can Cap The Artist

 It felt so good to move, undulate, and slide into a deep second position to recoil into a contorted contraction. It truly felt like breathing. Surely, I adore codified technique. However, taking a contemporary class last night taught me way more than I bargained for. Get out of your headspace, get out of the mirror, ditch the "content concept" and just dance. I reckon that is my honest thesis. I felt like Jodie (without my Cooper) as I whisked across the floor. Throughout class I thought about the likes and wisdom of dancers like Robert Battle and Matthew Rushing. While dancing, I recalled both of their sentiments that included abandon and connection (to the floor, to the movement, to the work...) while dancing. Truly, I felt that. Suddenly, I am met with a challenge. Maybe it's culture or maybe its Maybeli — nope! It's definitely culture.  For about one minute, I wrestled with walking off of the floor, grabbing my phone, finding a proper angle to record, propping...
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If There Is One Thing Your Career Needs, This Is It

 The other day I went live on Instagram to express to preprofessional dancers, and even some professionals who desire a strong voice in their corner, how incredibly powerful dance career mentorship is. Now I know that because I run The Dance Career Coach and my goal is to help build, strong, pliable and professional artists,  my advocacy of dance mentorship seems obvious. But it wasn’t until today I  stepped into a greater dimension of this passion. That includes helping dancers like you. So why is career mentorship so important? What is it that makes the connection so powerful? Do you need it?

Fall 2023 I heard God tell me “Help (name of a mentee of mine) post-grad dreams come true”. During that time I had already begun creating and sharing content for The Dance Career Coach and actively building resources for my growing community. But if I am being honest, when I heard God say that, it kicked me into “overdrive”. If you haven’t already gathered, I am extremely passionate about my career, your career and dance in general. How could I become even more passionate with helping one specific person? I’ll tell you how.

The right dance career mentor has the ability to open your eyes to things you may not have seen, connect you in ways you had only dreamed and give you timeless strategies to help you thrive in any space. When searching for a dance mentor it is imperative they have a heart to see you win and be willing to walk the journey with you. Even as I think about one of my mentors it’s easy for me to say he has always been in my corner. The reason I was able to invest in a deep way with one of my mentees is because I am committed to the success of developing artists. That exchange can never change.

Having great insight is also another way I am able to help dancers produce. It’s important to note your dance mentors should be insightful. Mere advice can come from anyone but  not all advice fits your journey. The reason I chose to circle this article around one specific mentee is because our process not only helped her achieve an unforgettable milestone, it helped me realize how great my love is for this craft and the large role I will play in cultivating artists as I work alongside my own mentors, cultivating myself. 

This dance life chose me. What a complete honor!

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