Born to Move...

Photo credit: Tony Bellissimo and Ried Martin

Courtesy of: Tremaine Dance Conventions

Thoughts from Washington D.C.

Once upon a time, in a snowy land called Washington D.C., there was an 8 year boy named Evan who LOVED to dance. On one special weekend in January, Evan attended a dance convention called “Tremaine”, and all were changed for the better by his presence… especially me!!!!

I began this blog post like any good fairy tale does because that is exactly how it felt. I first saw this extraordinary little spirit in the junior auditions on Sunday morning, and I knew from first glance that I would adore him. He attacked each move with such passion and confidence, it was honestly hard to believe he was only 8!! What was most beautiful to me about this sweet boy was that he was not necessarily the best dancer in the audition, but you would never know that by his approach. It was obvious right away that this was his CALLING. 

Later on that day, I returned to the Junior room for my “Character Jazz” class. I have to admit… I couldn’t wait to find him in the crowd! Class was moving along nicely, but I couldn’t find Evan, and I was a little disappointed. Then, after teaching the beginning of the combo, I played the music for the first time and immediately, I found him. It’s like the sound booming out of the speakers sparked something inside of him, and he instantly was shining like a star. The light that was pouring out of him was made of pure joy and excitement. It was the kind of charisma that was undeniable. When I divided the room into smaller groups, every time his group came out to the floor to dance, I would look around and see everyone smiling. I mean EVERYONE. It didn’t matter if they knew him or not, they just couldn’t help themselves because  he was such a bright and magnetic force the entire time he moved.

This amazing young dancer reminded me of two moments in my life which were monumental to my discovery and love of dance. The first moment is actually the first time I ever took a class from Doug Caldwell at a Tremaine convention when I was 13. I swear this amazing young boy had the spirit of Doug streaming though his veins! He was wild and crazy and full of passion, just like Doug. I half expected him to start growling halfway through class!! It brings me to tears even as I write this, because Doug was such an instrumental part of my growth and confidence as a dancer. He taught me about love, community, and true connection. His class was  a safe space to explore and feel all the emotions I didn’t necessarily know how to work through in my daily life. He had a certain spark in his eyes that always made you feel like you could achieve anything you wanted, and Evan had the same spark! Secondly, Evan reminded me of when I was a young girl in ballet class, and I was enamored by my teacher and willing to do anything to get her approval. I felt free in dance class and it was the place I could be anything I wanted. Princess one day… bumble bee the next… it didn’t matter, it made me happy!

Maybe Evan can teach us all a little something. As seriously as we take ourselves, maybe some days it’s just about finding the joy in moving. Maybe, we lose touch with that joy because we are constantly trying to prove our worth to others, or maybe even to ourselves. I want to find that joy in every class, and I want to let it radiate out of my pores just like Evan did this weekend. 

I hope you can reconnect with this sense of joy also… maybe we can find it together.

In love and dance,

Keri