Dancing Beyond the Walls

It's amazing to me how people can dance so long! When I look at a dancer lengthening and dancing so full out it's breath taking. I don't want to watch anybody else. They have a sense of their body placement and the space around them. They don't stop the movement, but let it continue straight into the next movement. Longer movement looks more complete because it's dancing full out. They are using more energy and actually dancing. I'm not saying it's an easy thing to do but once you know how to dance beyond the walls, it's a beautiful thing. When we did the floor exercise with our partners, I never knew Zoe could reach so much further. I discovered just how hard it really was that day. It's a working progress and I work hard on it everyday to improve that important skill.

Awareness

Awareness is a big thing to have as a dancer. It's important to feel the presence of the people around you while you are dancing. It's how you don't hit people and it's also how you dance together as a group. A dancer who doesn't have a sense of awareness turns without spotting, hits the people that are around them, and just have no sense of direction. Nobody wants to dance with a dancer like that, and it will be hard for them to get jobs. Knowing this skill has allowed me to stay with the group even though I can't see any of them. It has also helped me dance better with the group. There's like a vibe that we all have together.

Transitions

The in between movements are more important than the shapes at the end. When I think of this statement, I think about dancing full out. I think about finishing each movement before moving on to the next. I also think about dancing out through my finger tips all the way down through my toes. Knowing how to do the in between movements are the difference from being a beginner dancer and an advance dancer. I have been focusing a lot this semester on if my feet are in parallel or if they are turned out. Knowing where my arms at all times. I also need to work harder on shifting my pelvis. The more I shift, the better prepared I am to do the next movement. A lot of us get stuck in the combinations because we aren't dancing with our whole body. When you shift and stay on top of your legs, it's so much easier to do turns, jumps, and just plain runs.

Body Check In

It's the end of the semester and I feel great. I still have a knee problem, but I am not going to let that get me down. I learned that staying hydrated will help with my cramps and that I cannnot forget to ice my knee every night. Mentally, I am exhausted. This next month will be just what I need, a vacation! I have a month to rest before I go to New York. My plans are to take part in the summer intensive at Alvin Ailey, the fall independent study, and hopefully either go to the University of the Arts or Florida State University in January. If the schools don't work out for me at that time, then I'll take a break from school and continue to train my body in New York. My short term goal is to become a professional dancer. My long term goal is to earn my BFA in dance and teach at a performing arts high school. Studying at HCC was the best thing I could have done at this time in my life. The teachers at school help me improve my technique and mind set before I step into the streets of New York. It also was a good stepping stone of moving out of my house. I know what it feels like to be on my own, but not being too far away. It also introduced me to the city life even though I know New York will be 10 times more busy. I am greatful and appreciative that I got the opprotunity to move to Tampa. Now I'm just excited on what my future has in store for me. :)