Dance: The Hidden Language of the Soul

Dance [dans]; verb: To touch, to move, to inspire

As a child, I was never able to experience dance firsthand. I was a cheerleader. I cheered for about eleven years, beginning at age five. It was my thing. I loved it. The dancing aspect of cheer was one of the things I enjoyed the most. The feeling of performing in front of a maxed out stadium, or competing at a conference center with available spots being standing room only. A complete and utter rush; I lived for it. That is one feeling I will never in a million years forget.

I just knew if I ever had a daughter one day, she would cheer. We would share that same love and passion for it. I was sure of it.

Here I am, eleven years post cheer, and I have a seven year old little girl. During Pre-K, her academy offered extra-curricular activities, with dance being one of them. I read the list of activities to her, and she chose dance. I, of course, signed her up immediately, and so it began.

{First Year of Dance 2011/2012 - Age 4}

Kaylee has been dancing now for almost four years. K and I started her out with 1 class per "dance year" for the first two years. Last year for her third year, she asked to do more, so we registered her for three classes totaling three hours per week. She done great with the increased schedule really enjoying it, and learnt more last year than she had the previous two years combined. This year, for the 2014-2015 year, six classes are being offered for her age group. I asked her which classes she would like to do, and she told me all six. Last night, I completed her registration for six classes/six hours per week beginning in August!

{Hip Hop  2012/2013 - Age 5}

She is finding in dance what I found in cheer. She absolutely loves it, and I love watching the passion and excitement on her face when she's dancing. Dance has given her such confidence and joy, as well as lifelong friends, and the studio becoming like a second family to us. I hope that she continues with dance through high school and even into the collegiate level. I was blessed to stumble upon this company, and we've been with it for going on three years now. The Director really gives the girls so many opportunities that Kaylee could definitely go somewhere with it in the long run. 

{Jazz 2013/2014 - Age 6}

 {Hip Hop 2013/2014 - Age 6}

{Hip Hop Group 2013/2014 - Age 6}

I'm excited to share in this life of dance that she has chosen. I can't wait to see where it takes her. For as long as she enjoys it, we will continue to register her for classes until she tells us otherwise. Dancing was my favorite part of cheering, so in a small way, we do share that same love and passion I hoped we would. Dancing has so many more opportunities than cheer, so Kaylee chose the better one for sure!

Children and Manners

Over the weekend, Kaylee had her End of the Year Spring Showcase for dance. As usual, her entourage of family and friends made it out to watch her performance Saturday morning. My very best friend came out and brought her daughter, of which is two years old, to watch and cheer Kaylee on. This was a kid friendly event, as there were many younger siblings there to watch the show, including infants, and kid’s tickets were sold with adult tickets in order to see the show.

This year’s showcase lasted a total of two hours in length, including the two intermission breaks. My friend’s daughter done so great through the show; much better than any two year old normally would. There were a couple of times that she got out of her seat to stand, but nothing more than that. For ninety percent of the show she sat with her Mom and watched the girls dance, and when the lights went out for the next group of dancers to walk on stage, she would ask "Where'd the girls go?"

Nearing the end of the show, one of the dancers (only seven years old - she dances with my daughter, so I know the age) walked down the aisle and took a seat in the row directly in front of us beside her Mother. Mind you, the Mother had been sitting there this entire time, since the start of the show. It was almost over; we had made it to the last two songs until the showcase was over. My friend’s daughter decided she wanted to stand, and just so happened to grab the back of the seat that the little girl had just sat in, in front of us. My friend reached to pick her daughter up, and told her not to grab the back of the chair that someone was now occupying the seat. Her daughter said "No, no, no" because she didn't want to sit down, she had wanted to stand up. The little girl sitting in front of us turns around giving her the meanest look, and loudly tells her to "SHHHHH". My friend and I just look each other, and then back at her thinking, are you kidding me? Once again, my friend’s daughter goes to stand up, and the little girl turns around and SWATS, I kid you not, rolls up the program that's about 15 pages thick and swats at her. A two year old! Telling her to "SHHHH" yet a second time. We both turn and look at the Mother of this little girl, and she smiles shaking her head up and down agreeing with her daughter telling a two year old to "Shhhh" and then swatting at her. The so-called Mother encouraged this behavior. I was baffled. We both were. Who the hell do you think you are that it’s okay to act this way, and approve that type of behavior? I'm not one to cause a scene, but most definitely planned on doing so, had this little girl or her Mother made one more rude action and/or comment.

This, my friends, is a prime example of what is wrong with our youth these days. They have no manners, most of them probably don't even know what the word "manner" means. They don't get disciplined. Parents are encouraging this type of behavior. Teaching and rewarding their children to act this way. This is not okay!

I would absolutely not tolerate that type of behavior from my daughter. Had she acted that way, I would have apologized to the parent sitting behind me for her actions, excused ourselves from the show, taken a walk to the restroom and spanked her little booty. That was completely unacceptable, and for the parent to have condoned that type of behavior... I'm still shocked by it. Although, I shouldn't be. There aren't a lot of respectful people out there these days.

Please, do yourself and the world a favor; teach your kids some manners, what's right from wrong, how to handle situations with some respect, and discipline them! That way, they will go out into this world as a humble human being, and everyone doesn't have to deal with some inconsiderate little shit.

Rant over.

Aside from the rudeness that took place towards the end of the show, the Dance Company put on a spectacular performance. Kaylee rocked the stage for all three dance numbers she was in, and took home the "Star Performer Award" for the second year in a row in her age division. Proud parents, her Dad and I are. We love watching her on stage, witnessing the love she has for dance, and all the hard work she put in all year long paying off. She is so passionate about dance, and it has given her such great confidence. We truly believe she has found what she's meant to do in life; she was born to be on stage, born to perform.

 

Way to go Sweets! Dad and I wrote a little something for you:
 

Kaylee Bug,

You have blossomed into such a vibrant, confident, and witty little girl. Dad and I thank God daily for choosing us to be your parents, and blessing us with your life; our true meaning of happiness. We are so proud of you, and the accomplishments you’ve made this year. You can do anything you set your mind to; always follow your dreams and truly believe in yourself. We love you to the moon and back!
Love Always,

Mom and Dad

 

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars, to change the world.” –Harriet Tubman