Wow has it been a while ! I forgot my email and password for my blogging account and couldn't get in and then eventually gave up. But now I'm back and itching to write.
One of my students and recent situations inspired me to start ranting and raving on here again. I've been teaching this young girl for about a year and a half now. As a dance teacher the way I see it a lot of the time is, you either have it or you don't. This girl HAS it. From last year to this year the amount of improvement in her technique, her drive, her passion, the fire in her eyes and her self confidence has gone from 0 to 10 in what seems like overnight.
Lately a lot of the kids have been going on auditions for the local performing arts highschool, summer programs, plays, etc .etc .the list goes on . She recently went to one audition and came back telling me how good she felt about her self and finally bragged to me about how she "hit 5 turns" and "my leaps were perfect". I was so happy to see this girl so proud of herself because for a while she has been her worst critic. I was so proud of her and happy for her I had to hold back tears when she was telling me. Her second audition went well, she got a call back and said she felt good about it. We heard the news today that she did not make it this time. :-(
My heart is breaking for her and she hasn't even told me yet. I want to ask the people, "what are you looking for?" I want to tell them, "give her a chance, she won't let you down". But it doesn't work that way. I want to yell at them until they see just how amazing she truly is. Not only as a dancer but as a human being. If only they saw what I see day in and day out of that studio. But I don't run things.
I try so hard to teach my kids to keep their heads up, you're not always going to win, you're not always going to get the part and you're not always going to be the best. I want to prepare them so much that when they see how cruel the artistic world can be they are one step ahead of everybody else. But I can't, I can't be there for every audition, I can't be there telling the judges she's just nervous let her do it again. I can't do anything but prepare them the best way I know how and hope for the best.
If she could only see what I see when I watch her dance. She's a joy to teach and watch. I love how much she's grown, she makes me proud to be her teacher. I love how when she nails a combo in my older kids classes, they look at me with that "holy crap" face. I love how when the younger students stare in the doorway, their eyes light up when they see her dance. I even love when students her own age in beginner classes say, "I wish I danced like her". I just want her and all of my students to know that not getting in is not the end of the world, just a crappy day. Tomorrow is a new one and your futures are incredibly bright.
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