June Bug.

Good morning!

I got my contract in the mail for our upcoming season last week. I can't believe it's time to sign contracts already?! We start back August 1st and I CAN'T WAIT. Don't get me wrong, i am enjoying the lazy days of waking up (whenever i want) and wondering what Netflix movie to put on. Or, the days where i sit in bed trying to decide where I am going to take an open ballet class at my leisure. It's been fun, but i miss a REAL schedule and consistant class. (and of course performing)

I have my recitals this coming Saturday and i was asked by my director to perform a short piece in them. I get really nervous performing along side the students because i know the moms and dads are seeing the product of what they are paying for. Not that my performance will do much, but it's still a solo on stage. That would make me nervous any day! It's a circus theme so i bought myself a hula hoop and will do my best to fake some hula tricks. I have attempted a few 'tricks' (by tricks i mean throwing it in the air) already and when i'm not dropping it or hitting myself it looks pretty ok. Seeing my students on stage will give me the most satisfaction. Their progress over a span of a school year is amazing. I'm like a proud mama seeing how far they have come. Teaching gives me such a full feeling. Giving back what was given to me.

Today is another lazy day followed by my last Monday teaching. There will be some hard drilling of their dances to make sure they are ready for the stage! Hopefully a few open ballet classes this week so i don't pull anything when i prance with a hula hoop on stage Saturday! :)

My best to you all.
Do something you love, and do it with all your heart today.
~Sara~

Good Morning!

A photo I took a few months ago.

I'm sitting here enjoying my french pressed coffee on a lovely cool spring morning. We just got over a mini pre-summer heat wave that really made me feel lazy. I did manage to take a ballet class at our studio with the students in NO air conditioning. Even though I was dripping in sweat before tendus, I felt good about the class and was nice to take a smaller class . It's been a while since we've had consistant class/rehearsal and i can feel my muscles having to work a lot harder to remember certain positions. Technique seems the first element to go when you don't dance everyday!

We are still on our layoff until the beginning of August and i am trying to keep myself occupied with recital stuff and get at least two classes in a week. I wish I could take class everyday, but money becomes such a huge issue. My boyfriend and i have a few weddings to shoot and we already had one a few weeks ago. The money from that really helps me and i usually set a side a chunk of it for open classes/gas money to drive to the studio.

I'm feeling positive and trying to keep that way going into the next season. We are getting a bunch of new dancers and from what i heard they are pretty good. I hate competition, but i can't help but feel that i will lose parts if i don't push a little. It's an awful insecurity that i'm sure other dancers share. I want to go into next season in the best shape i can so i can show my director that i am committed and serious about improving. It's time tostep my game up!

Summer is around the corner and wonderful opportunities are lining up. I'm ready!

My best to you all,
~Sara~

That's a wrap.(for now)

I've been behind on the posts and i apologize for that. As i had mentioned before in previous posts I have been working on a pas that was performed last night at an award show for arts. I was able to walk away pretty pleased with how it went.

The stage was a bit small and the floor was a little slippery since we didn't bring our floor, but we made it work. It felt really good to be on that stage in front of all those supporters of the arts. I want to show them who we are and what we do. We are a small company and not a lot of people know of us. People were coming up to us saying that they have never heard of us before and they wish they would have. It was nice to network and finally have some possible new fans!

It was such an honor getting to perform that pas. It's so beautiful and full of moments that you can really connect to. I hope in future i will be able to do it on a bigger stage. One can only hope right?

I just feel really pleased in general. I have such a peaceful feeling in my heart knowing that i'm doing exactly what i've always dreamed about. This is who i am through and through.
~Sara~

A show!

So, here i am enjoying my lazy time off when i get an email from my director. She asked me if i would be willing to do a pas de deux for an award ceremony our company was asked to be in. I am so excited because i have been wanting to do this pas from Eclipse since i first saw the ballet. It's more of a contemporary piece and the music/movement is just beautiful. I'm honored to be asked. I will get to perform the piece on stage in Atlantic City!!

Today was only my second day of rehearsal....and second day back to ballet. I am sore, but content. We finished learning the choreography today but i still have a bit to get back in shape. I missed ballet. It has only about a month too! I can't wait!!

~Sara~

Happy Earth Day!!!

I am natures biggest fan. I want to celebrate today by enjoying the wonderful gifts we recieve from the earth. Take a moment today to truely appreciate everything around you. Pick up a piece of trash, walk instead of drive, plant a flower/tree, or just take a second to sit outside. Close your eyes and just listen to the life around you. The earth might have something to say. :)

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar: I love not man the less, but Nature more.
-- George Gordon, Lord Byron

Spring in the air.

Well i'm feeling much better and not so debbie downer-ish. A few days after i posted my previous blogg i got the yucky flu. I blame it for the bad feelings i was having. It really hit me hard and had me in bed for a few days. Coming out of it has left me feeling refreshed and motivated. I'm happy to be back to myself and will make sure to wash my hands extra after teaching my little ones. (where i most likely picked it up)

I should start getting back into class again. I've been trying to stetch a little here and there so i don't get too stiff, but i need a good class to kick my butt and sweat out some toxins.

I've been debating going for light jogs i'm just worried it will build the wrong muscles. The ideas of just running in the park with the birds and fresh air sounds really refreshing to me. I guess i can weigh the pros and cons of it.

Not too much else going on here. Lazy days followed by occationally teaching in the evening. I wish more was going on. I'd like to pick up added hours teaching and have been looking into summer programs. I hope i can get a nice line up so i'm not totally broke before our season starts back.

I will be assisting in photographing a few weddings this summer with my booba so that's some extra income. I can't wait. I love getting to make extra money working with my boy and best friend. :) I'd really like to see our mini side buisness of event photography take off a bit more. Landing some more gigs would really help me out.

Hope everyone is doing well!! Go outside and get some of that lovely spring air. It's alive and full of new hope.
~Sara~

Good Morning.

Morning everyone! Today i will get my butt back into class. It's been about a week an a half now since my last class and my body and emotions feel it. I've been a bit depressed. This happens to me everytime the season ends and i'm forced to face life without a routine. It's the routine of getting up, bunning my hair, and mentally preparing for class and rehearsal that i miss. People that work a 'normal' job have consistancy(for the most part) that a performer does not. Our schedules change so often that we are always re-adjusting the way we do things. I hate change and need to have a routine to fall into. Adding class back into my life will change my mood significantly. I think dance will always have to be a part of my life. I feel so lost without out. It's who i am and how i express myself. When i don't have it i feel like i've lost my identity. I'm curious if other artists feel the same way? Not even just dancers, but all forms of art. Do you lose who you are when you stop doing what defines you? DOES it define you? My head has been swimming with these questions lately. I guess we all hit these road blocks in our career. It will all pan out i'm sure. We all have our purposes. :)

Getting ready for class now, my best to you all. Keep positive and go for what you want. Do what you love and you will be rewarded.
~Sara~