Throughout the course of your career it can be easy to forget your lowest moments, toughest moments and even the moments where special people did special things, leaving a huge impact on who you are as an artist, student and performer. In today's article, and in the spirit of thankfulness I am going to bring to light some people who have been all of those things for me.
No matter where you are in your career right now, take some time to reflect on how much you've accomplished and grown. Although this might be a weird one, you should also take time to reflect on how courageous you had to be as you faced defining moments in your dance career.
This year alone, a really huge defining moment for me was choosing to push in my dance career coaching business, catering to other dancers while taking steps of faith and courage in my own personal career. Another defining moment for me was showing up to an audition I went back and forth about, was late to (and I'm never-ever late) enterring the room on a Joyce Trisler excercise and ended up having a blast. Not only did I pass the audition 2 weeks ago, I also met, danced for and held space and conversation with Robert Battle (eek!).
After my second run at the Ailey audition earlier this year and being cut once again, (I was flabbergasted. LOL, but very serious) it was a total dream and sense of restoration as I peeped through the crack of the studio door to see Robert in the flesh (after which, I hurried my belongings off to the side and made a beeline to stage left, falling right in line. Luctricia Welters had us hitting Joyce Trisler exercises since high school, leaving me ready to hit it on the "and") and having this rather intimate moment.
But, before this year there were all of the previous ones and those who made them count. Here are a few people who have helped me become who I am as a dancer, artist and technician! In no particular order:
Lida Winfield, for helping me flush out my wildest dance advocacy/legacy dreams with her brilliant mind and gentle spirit.
James Atkinson, for always meeting me in my training at the place of my current capacity, mixed with a little bit of "Get over here, put on these pointe shoes and learn these variations that aren't even in the show but you need them".
Royce Zackery, for embracing me in one of the toughest dance years of my life, seeing me, and pushing me even when we are miles apart.
Michael Medcalf, for being so incredibly intuitive that some things didn't click until 4 years later. But, I needed those things to challenge what I did not know was in me.
Erin Jaffe-Gardner, for getting me back into and beyond my previous ballet shape, always encouraging me to have grace for myself during training, for being the most brilliant ballet coach and making me fall completely in love with Vaganova.
Luctricia Welters, for giving me the most solid foundation an aspiring professional dancer could ever ask for. So much so, the things and experiences she has poured into me still serve me to this day.
William Starrett, for having faith in me and making me do things in 2.5 seconds but always being gracious to me and making space for me. It was always seen and felt.
Lawrence Jackson, for being in my corner since undergrad, undeniably so and with great enthusiasm.
Sarah Emery, for being the most eclectic director I have ever worked for, creating opportunities for me to bloom beyond ways I never imagined and inspiring me to be completely awesome.
Kavin Grant, for always pushing me to go for the wildest dream I could think of because it was and will always be within my reach and more than possible.
Nena Gilreath, for expecting nothing short of excellence, pushing me always, no matter what and showing me that everything must be more grand on stage.
However you choose to celebrate today, I hope you save an "I am thankful for..." moment just for dance.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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