Professional Level Dancing: Week 2

 Today concluded my second week of professional-level dancing. Today, I felt like a professional. I, however, did not look like a professional; but I'm getting there, for sure. Last week, I looked like this:

This week, I looked a little like this:

The only difference between last week and this week is I had a smile on my face. Smiling makes all the difference, even if you can't dance! 

Okay let's get down to business (to defeat the Huns!)  

Alright, here's an overview: I took two classes today, the first one Leaps, Turns, and Legs; and the second one Pop/Jazz. Leaps and turns was not so bad this week considering I knew what to expect. Pop/Jazz was not so easy considering I did not know what to expect. So if I'm only progressing a little, how did I feel professional? 

Let's see.. In Pop/Jazz class, after we had finished working out for an hour, the instructor, Peter, says, "Some of y'all lookin' weak during warm ups. What you put into the warm up, you put into actually dancing. I know you guys have other classes, but I don't care. Excuses stop at the door; if you don't wanna be a dancer then go next door to the Hip-Hop class, mmkay?"

After threats of push-ups, and a six week kick-out of class, we finally got into it. We weren't perfect, though. I can't count how many times my instructor got frustrated and finally shouted, "FOR GOD'S SAKE, DO IT FOR WHITNEY! THEY'RE PUTTING HER TO REST TODAY!"

I don't know how else to describe the intensity of today's classes. But after getting kicked in the wrist, nearly dancing through my ballet shoes (I'm serious, when I took off my ballet shoes I had material from the outside soles on the bottom of my feet.), pulling my calf muscle (which hurts to walk), and thinking I literally urinated on myself -- I'd say it was a freaking awesome day, indeed.

The most important thing I learned today was dancing is best performed when relaxed. If you spend all of your performance over-thinking your steps, you're entirely more inclined to mess up and act a fool. However, if you relax through the steps and SMILE, you'll be entirely surprised how inclined you'll be to dance wonderfully. 

Keep going, lovelies! Much love!

Professional-level Dancing: Week 1

Today was my first dance class at Gotta Dance Atlanta. I took the "leaps, turns, and legs" class which is a ballet-jazz fusion class. Let me tell ya, it burned. The warm ups were so intense. The warm ups consisted of splits in the air while lying on our backs; splits on the floor, stretching, and isolation of body parts. Just when I thought it couldn't get any harder, I then had to stand up. I've never felt so immobile in my life. 

Then the dancing started. How did it go? Imagine putting a little fish from the Great Salt Lake into the Atlantic Ocean. If that isn't clear, then picture a four year old being put into Congress as a Senator or a Rep. Is that more clear?

Just when it got more difficult and I couldn't tell whether my body was going to break or I was going to puke, it was over. Just as quickly as it had begun, it had ended. Thus concluded my first day of professional-level training. 

I hope I'm not painting too negative a picture for those of you who want to pursue your dreams on a professional level. I'll be blunt, though: Professional level anything is hard work. I'll say it again:

Professional level anything is hard work. 

Becoming great doesn't come naturally; it doesn't come easily, without dedication nor without practice. And most importantly, greatness doesn't happen overnight and without a price. It takes patience! 

If I can say one thing I've learned today to you all: Never, ever give up. Never let anybody tell you that you are incompetent. Take criticism, praise and rejection as stepping stones and contents to your chapters of life. Let those stepping stones and those chapters become your defining moments. Let them become your strength and your weakness: your greatest triumph and your greatest heartbreak. 

Take all of the obstacles and DANCE. The price paid will be worth it in the end, I promise.

Onward.

I know what you're thinking: "Why in the world is the Gotta Dance Atlanta" logo on this post? I've actually not heard of this dance company until my ballet instructor at my current dance academy mentioned them. So naturally I did what any technologically curious individual would do and went to the website, my main objective being to join a second dance company. Well, I totally found something even better. 

What did I find? I found a pre-professional scholarship opportunity. Yep, that's right; a free, six month, rigorous, mind-blowing, foot/ankle/joint breaking, golden, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to move up the professional ballet ladder even faster than I ever intended to. 

Curious, too? Here is the link: http://www.got2dance.net/#!programs/vstc8=page-3.

The scholarship requires a video to be submitted for review of choreography of my choosing to a piece. I'm almost positive of dancing to "The Words Best Friend Becomes Redefined" by Chiodos. Yes, I absolutely will post my audition on the blog; so stay tuned!

Much love!

The above picture is of Cassie, a ballerina with a project known as, "Ballerina Project." Original, right? Some of you are wondering why in the world I'm putting a picture of a super-thin, super-flexible ballerina from Ballerina Project onto a blog post for what seems to be for no apparent reason. I'm glad you've asked because I would love to tell you. Be prepared to laugh, to cry, and most importantly, to receive an ear full:


I am what most people would define as an artist. By definition an artist is "one who is skilled in a particular occupation of the arts." I'm obviously paraphrasing. So what does that mean? Can I see a picture and  replicate it perfectly on paper or an easel? Not exactly. Can I hear a song on the radio and  perfectly replicate it on the piano or in song? Yes, actually. Where am I going with this?


While those are just a few examples of the artistic abilities I may or may not have complete talents to do, there is still one, (out of several), artistic occupation that thrives my very being; that pushes me to the very core of who I am; that makes me feel like I'm floating on air: 


DANCE.


So why am I writing a pointless blog entry about my nostalgia for dance and properly wasting the time of those of you who read it?  Because I have one objection, and one objection only; your objections notwithstanding: to become a professional dancer. 


Yes: I, at 23 years of age, have decided to become a professional dancer. STOP. I know what you're thinking because I've thought it, too: "How under Heaven can she become a professional dancer, now? Hasn't she already missed the boat?" This can be answered simply by directing you to an article that will either a) answer all your unanswered questions and/or b) crush all your hopes and dreams of ever doing the same. http://danceadvantage.net/2011/01/10/dancing-professionally/

For those of you who now have all of your unanswered questions answered, I will say this: There are two types of critics to every dream -- positive critics and negative critics. 
To the positive critics, I am so glad you have decided to support me in my decision to go pro. Your advice and constructive criticism is much appreciated; don't stop doing what you're doing.
To the negative critics, I appreciate that you feel the need to impulsively attack my decision. However your doubts and objections notwithstanding, I will push forward and upward to do whatever is necessary for me to do in order to accomplish my goals.


Now that I've gotten that out of the way, for those of you who have just had all of your hopes and dreams crushed of ever making the same decision, I greatly applaud you for taking the time to read the above article.  The author makes a good point when she writes: If  what you really wanted to do is dance, you'd already be doing it. What is my point here? The point is, if you really, honestly have a desire to dance then stop reading this blog post and get to work. Stop dreaming, and start dancing. I will say it again:


If dancing is what you really aspire to do with all of your being, stop dreaming and start dancing.


Ladies and gentlemen, (but probably mostly ladies), I thank you for your undivided attention in taking time out to read this unnecessarily long blog post about my hope in going pro with dance. I hope you will support me on my journey of doing what I feel I have been created to do.


Much love!