In Exchange

   My last two days in the studio have been idyllic. It's a combination of things that amounts to this gift of abundance and joy in a studio. First off, it is the people. It always comes down to who is in that room with you, doing what. I count myself extremely lucky to be working with two young talented dancers. They are so open, so committed to the vision and story to run with it. They are willing to try things. Ready to take a risk, try again if it doesn't work, try again even when it does work. They are willing to try. To push me and to be pushed choreographically and physically. That alone is a gift.
   The other genius of studio time is the quiet. No distractions. No other people milling about, no one lurking and watching the rehearsal to judge what you are attempting to create in there.... Just free open space, we left our judgement and cynicism at the door. And the big part of bliss.... NO MONEY EXCHANGING HANDS WHATSOEVER. It was the free exchange of my time for your time. We come because we want to be here, not because we have to be. Not because there are bills to be paid, tuition to afford, shoes to buy. We come for the art, for the process. To experience the art for what we create with a singular focus, we come. We dance. We live. There is laughter, tears, awkwardness, lightbulb moments, all sorts of moments. Triumphs and tragedies all within a three hour rehearsal session. Who knows what will fly and what won't? We don't until we try. And we try again. And again. Tweak. And try. The key is always to try. For what is success without all the failures that proceed it?

     Because of all this recent joy in rehearsal the reel is set to completion in about a month and a half. For primary filming anyways. I have thrashed, bled, cried, edited and re-edited this down to what it is. Some things have been added, others taken away. I feel it is now on the right track. It feels right. I am more than excited to see it in its entirety, as the finished product. And then the hard part. The sending it out into the world to see if it stands on its own two feet. Like me. To see if I stand on my own two feet.

My Phone Keeps Me Company

Competition #4 and Final starts today! I'm wishing Merde to all our students today as they head into ADA. Very exciting time indeed. And then after that, you'd think we'd all sit down and take a break, but not. We're not. We're gearing right into recital which is a mere two weeks away! Such a close to the season. Amazing to think that it's so close already. How did that happen? Where did the time go?

   Lots of things happening this summer. First off, getting the reel DONE! Heading into final rehearsals next week. I may try to squeeze in an extra piece or two, depending on time and dancer availability. Quite frankly, the more the merrier. I want to get back and create. All this running around at comp and recital prep has left me forgetting that I'm a choreographer, not an administrator. I anxiously await the day where I can pay someone else to administrate my life for me. But until then, I do it all and I'm ok with that. If I screw it up I can't blame anyone but myself. Also happening this summer will be a workshop or two at Dance Roots (very excited). Starting choreography for the next Benefit for the Ottawa Food Bank.
And my last year of TTS! So much going on, I am hoping to fit in a vacation and some quality time with the man. We haven't had much time lately so we live life and entertain each other with draw something.