During the 2019 performance of the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker, one of their professional dancers standing off-stage and I experienced a very moving moment as we were watching the young Snowflake Dancers perform. (This ballet company invites local dance students to perform with them.) While the children age five & six were dancing, snowflakes began to fall. They had not rehearsed with the snowflakes falling! At such a young age you dance from the heart. You move with emotion and do not become concerned with technique. No one told them that the snow would fall while they were dancing.
In studio rehearsals I read to them the story of the ballet! We shared moments of pretending that we were running in the snow catching snowflakes! Pretending, being creative, listening to the music that had the feel, smell and touch of real snow! Capture your audience when you dance! You want your audience to feel the joy that you are feeling!
Make it snow with your imagination!
When the snowflakes fell, the children’s eyes opened wide… their eyes twinkled as the stage lights caught their expressions! Their imaginations had made snow that they could really feel! My eyes were filled with tears! This is the emotion that, as professionals, we do not want to forget! We meditate before a performance to feel again!
The professional dancer turned to me with tears in his eyes.
“This is why I dance!” he said.
If you are having a “bad day,” you are invited to drop in at the Dance Arts School! (when the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted)
Experience the joy that explodes at the Dance Arts School every day!
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY! Visit Dance Arts!Tour our studios!Review the curriculum!We want to meet YOU so thatYOU can FIND the RIGHT classJUST FOR YOU! Due to COVID-19 safety regulations Dance Arts will be available during office hours only by phone or email to schedule an appointment.
-by Martha Madison
About the Author: Martha Madison began her career as a dance educator in 1966. She studied dance at Western Kentucky University and the University of South Florida. She is certified through Dance Educators of America Teacher Training School and is currently director of Dance Arts Bowling Green.
-Photos submitted by Kelsey Tullis. Kelsey is a gifted dance educator who knew exactly which photos to submit!
