Choreographer, teacher, mentor, director. All of those titles are positions that I feel truly blessed to be called. I LOVE what I do for a living. I love the feeling of creating choreography that feels pure and expressive. I cherish the moments when I teach someone about dance and open their eyes to something that they've never experienced before. And the feeling of mentoring a fellow artist helps me feel humble about my craft. Directing is something that is new and exciting to me; and definitely a work in progress.
I think back to the choreographers, teachers, mentors, and directors who I had the pleasure of working with in my education in dance, and feel truly grateful. Not only for all the things that they taught me about dance and life in general, but also for putting me in my place when I thought that I knew more than them. Because that is truly the moment that needs to be learned....how not to be arrogant.
I think back to myself as a young dancer, when I felt stifled and held back by a teacher or director. I remember those moments of frustration, thinking "why don't we do this instead?" or "why are we having to do this?" The truth of the matter is, I was completely missing the point. There is a hierarchy in dance for a reason and learning from your master and honoring their position is what makes you a better dancer and future choreographer, teacher, mentor or director. Because people don't want to work around arrogance. They want to work in a loving and nurturing environment where they feel accepted. So opening yourself up to others ideas of what dance is and fully committing to let them guide you is what is important; staying humble, and appreciative. For the master who loves will teach his children to love...
