Balance

Photo by: Tony Bellissimo and Ried Martin

Courtesy of: Tremaine Dance Conventions

thoughts from Cleveland…

There is a delicate balance between the teacher and the student in a dance class. Each party relies on the other to give them energy and inspiration. I think there is an unspoken agreement between the dancers and the teacher that goes something like this:

If the teacher provides motivation and information that will better the student, the student promises to apply it with all of their heart and physical ability. As this exchange continues, it will build a sense of trust between the two artists, and as their trust in each other keeps developing, both parties will agree to be inspired to continue to grow… together.

So… both the dancer and the teacher have equal responsibility for contributing to the success of the class. I think this is important for this current generation of dancers to hear. Sometimes when I am teaching, I feel like the dancers are waiting for that special step, or even that magical speech to motivate them to really participate 100% in the class. I’m not sure if it’s because they are too busy analyzing the steps, or if it’s because they are afraid of making mistakes. I understand both behaviors, and have been there myself. However, I was one of those dancers in the senior room that went FULL OUT no matter what (probably a little too full out, lol), and it was mostly because dance class was my church and I loved it like no other thing in my life. It was the one place I could feel anything I wanted and I craved the teachers that pushed me past my limiting thoughts of myself and my ability. I wanted to believe there was a better me somewhere hidden deep inside that I just couldn’t see yet. I wanted teachers who told me the truth, no matter how harsh or difficult it might be to hear. Fortunately enough, I always seem to find those teachers.

This desire is partially what motivates me to teach dance to this day. This past weekend in Cleveland in the senior room, I could tell that the dancers were overthinking and waiting for the right time to give their best to the class. In the moment I made the decision to be a little tough on them, and to tell them the truth, not knowing how they would react to it. To my surprise… the change in the room was AMAZING. This awesome group of dancers stepped up, put themselves out there, and elevated the room together. My heart was full, and my weekend was changed for the better. 

Find the teachers that have a higher vision for you than you know to have for yourself, and then be grateful that they hold you to it. Even if you never fully realize it, just the pure effort and energy you put forward in the act of reaching it will make you better. Instead of being mad at the teacher for having your best interests at heart, and who is brave enough to stand for you even when you can’t stand for yourself, embrace them and trust yourself enough to learn the lesson being given to you.

Like Bruce Lee says:

“Art calls for complete mastery of techniques, developed by reflection within the soul.”

In love and dance,

Keri