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On My Mind
Words from the publisher
What does the holiday season mean to dance teachers? For many
the Nutcracker season is in full swing, while others
are rehearsing for that special holiday performance. Some are
frantically getting their costume orders together and others
are locked in their studios trying to get their competition
choreography looking halfway decent before the first time out.
For these teachers, the few days they will have off this
holiday season won’t come quickly enough—or last long enough.
The big question is what to do with those days off. Should it
be spent preparing a new mailing to help bring in new students
for the January semester? How about using the time to edit the
music that’s sitting in the “to do” pile? Should we call extra
rehearsals? Or will we actually take a few days off to be
“real people, with normal lives?” I’m going for the last
option this year.
Sure, things that I need to get done will pop into my mind
during my “normal person” break. But I have to remind myself
that someday dance might be a done deal in my life, leaving me
with my family, my friends, and the lifelong memories that
spending time with them brings.
I’ve also learned that I am better at what I do when I have
the chance turn off the dance button for a few days. Reading a
good book is one good way to do it. And for some reason, lying
in bed and watching a couple of movies—the kind that don’t
require a lot of thinking— makes me much more creative when I
go back to work. Taking a long walk on the beach helps to
clear my head and often starts the creative juices flowing.
Whatever I decide to do to get away from it all, I know that
by taking that mini “vacation,” I nourish my soul—and that
drives my passion for dance. And that’s just what we all need.
In my travels I meet so many dedicated dance people who are
workaholics. They never make the time to simply stop, to “turn
off the dance” for a while. Some feel guilty just thinking
about it and others think they’ll fall behind. Let it go—you
deserve time for yourself. Give yourself a chance to
reinvigorate that dance spirit that we all need in this field.
Let that be your gift to yourself this holiday season.
Before you kick back, though, you probably have a mile-long
list of things to do. We can help. This month’s issue will
give you a burst of pre-holiday–season renewal, so browse
through it and treat yourself to a good story. If you are long
overdue for a laugh, turn immediately to our latest story from
Diane Gudat. You’ll identify with her laundry list of
complaints about parents, and I dare you to read it without
cracking a smile. The tap dancers among you will enjoy our
focus section on tap, with stories about musicality and
rhythm, Dianne “Lady Di” Walker and the tap revival of the
1980s, why tap makes ballet dancers better at what they do,
and tap’s country cousin, clogging. For personal inspiration,
read about the influence of New York City on the Noblett
family or the warm tale of one dance teacher who showed a
fellow teacher (and her students) what the true meaning of
Christmas is. On the business side, check out our story on
private lessons— maybe adding them to your studio’s offerings
will be your New Year’s resolution.
I wish you a peaceful holiday season and all the best for
2008!
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