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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...

The Reason Your Art Isn't Fulfilling

 Art of any kind takes an incredible amount of boldness and focus. The creation of another work that can even become a masterpiece cannot unfold if the attention of the artist is divided amongst other things. For dance artists this divide can look like colleague comparison, doubting yourself when things aren't perfect or being overly frustrated. Eat of these things, while they seem perfectly warranted, can cause you to pull away from or begin to walk away from your passion, the dream, your art.

A dance career can very vulnerable by nature. With so many people around you, so many ideas flowing from choreographers, different expectations from leaders, partners and even the responsibility of living up to/maintaining high level concerts, it is easy to be swallowed up by discontentment and feeling unfulfilled. But we can misplace our greatest passion when we allow our focus to be off for too long.

The reason your art is no longer fulfilling is because you stopped dreaming. Did you know that interacting with your passion and gifts only expands who you are? If you find yourself no longer being lifted or brightened as you dance and create, it is time to reevaluate and refocus. Once you take your mind from the dream other negative things gain a free space to enter.

You aren't losing your touch or creativity. You just may be losing your focus. Take some time this weekend to retreat. Call yourself to dream again and recenter. Remember that "off days" or tough rehearsals are not invitations to play the comparison game. As you recalibrate your mind and heart for your greatest passion, fulfillment will be the order of your day no matter what.

To every dedicated and heart-FUL artist, dance world needs you. We are in a resurgence within our industry and you are a valuable piece of the puzzle. 











Photo by Gene Schiavone




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