Finding the Silver Lining

The dance studio I have taught at for the past five years is closing down. Shock!!!! Well it was to me. Strangely enough I immediately knew what i was going to about it and was not left wondering ‘what now?’, not even for even a second. This surprised me, and possibly other people too. I know exactly what I am going to do now… I’m opening my own dance and pilates studio.

Through my five years of working at Donzelle Dance Studio I learnt a lot of what I would do, and a lot of what I wouldn’t do if I had my own studio. I have always wanted to open my own studio and I see the fact that Donzelle Dance Studio is closing down as a blessing in disguise and possibly the push I needed to get started. Studio of Motion (my new studio) is a not only a dance studio but a Pilates and dance photography studio too.

I am so excited about this new chapter in my life, and even though my heart breaks at the thought of my old studio closing down, I know it has happened for a specific reason.

I have been working really hard for the past few weeks and am proud to say that I will have 2 studio’s, the facebook page is done, and the website is getting there (you can already register and download the prospectus).

“Dare To Dance”

Well lately I have been a lot quieter (on all fronts) than I usually am. I haven’t even been tweeting much or even considering updating my Facebook status.

This is all because of exams. Not University exams (like the ones I’m meant to be studying for now), but rather dancing exams. The worst part is i didn’t even dance my own exams this year. It was just because of stressing for my students and making sure they are ready. For some reason though my feet are covered in blisters…hmmm.

We have now officially survived 2 out of 3 weekends of exams. Firstly Hip Hop, then Modern and Tap, and this weekend coming up will be Acrobatics. I have also come to realise that most examiners are really nice people and really knowledgeable but some are just truly horrible and condescending. Both our Modern and tap examiners were great women to work with, and at the end of the day we learnt a lot from them. But that Hip Hop examiner, Gosh, lets just hope and pray we never get her again.

I’m specifically not mentioning names because I know that everyone has a reputation to uphold, but that examiner looked and acted like a real witch. I’m sure the kiddies that still believe in witches were scared out of their wits.

So our exams are almost over, which will give us teachers a small part of our lives back. Then there is the end year show, which I can almost say is worse than exams. The stress to get everything done in time, and to make sure everything is perfect…EEEEK!

Honestly the show is always great and always works out at the end of the day, but for me it seems to be nerve wrecking every time I must run up or down those dreadful stairs backstage. Two years ago just at the end of the show, when we were running to be on stage for the prize giving, I went flying down the stairs. I landed up going to hospital at midnight and walking out with my arm in a cast and sling and my leg in a cast too. What was that about the saying “Break a Leg” being good luck?

It was also rather funny as our slogan is ” Dare to Dance”

"Dare To Dance"

"Dare To Dance"

Shoes – as requested.

I love shoes! I have been asked to share my favorite pair of shoes. I find this rather impossible as I have many favorites. So here are a few of them.

Absolutely Fabulous

I bought these shoes with a friend of mine just before a lecture. We landed up spending the lecture modelling the shoes instead of paying attention.

Ruby Slippers

My Love For Dance

I’m sure it started with the shoes!

Comfort Zone

I am dotty spotty polka dotty!

Tap Heels!!!!!

Satin Slippers

Completely worn out pointes! So stunning.

These are only a few of my favorites. I can’t even start to explain show much I love shoes. There is one more picture I really want to share. I don’t have these YET, but I really would love to own these baby’s.

Ultimate Beauty.

I saw these shoes the other day while shopping for a birthday dress. Unfortunalety they are a bit more than my budget can handle but i’m still considering them…

What’s In The Box?

Yey! I finally received something I have been waiting a long time for. What’s in the box?

Well as i love dancing, it’s got to be two of the most amazing Dance movies with two of the most amazing dancers of all times. If you haven’t seen these movies, do yourself a favour and watch them! They are great. It might just be a bit of a mission to get hold of them in normal video stores.

Ouch!

So… I Hurt my foot doing Wings. Fun. Well that was no fun. Wings for those of you who don’t know are a step done in tap dancing. They take a while to master and a lot of practice, sweat and tears – like most things.For more information on wings click here.

I still haven’t been to a physio therapist, which is wrong i know. I have been doing exercises to strengthen my ankle again though. It’s really painful! Does anyone have ideas of how I could possibly lessen the pain and strengthen it quickly? I know things like this take time and if it was one of my students I would tell them to be patient, continue with the exercises and just take it slow for a while, but it’s a lot harder to do than it sounds. How many people take their own advice?

I also just started dancing again after my operation so at the moment I am sick of sitting around and really just want to dance, it’s a disease.

YouTube and Expert Village are really being difficult and not letting me check out any videos, so I can’t suggest any to you but feel free to check out these pages and watch some of the videos so that you can see what wings are if you don’t already know.

YouTube

Expert Village