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 Gifts That Lasted
a
Lifetime
Dance Studio Life readers on the greatest gifts their dance
teachers gave them
Cheri Cameron, Cameron School of Dance, Greenfield Park, QC,
Canada
The confidence that I can do whatever I want in life. No
hurdle was too big that it could not be accomplished with hard
work. This even affected my schoolwork. I took pride in what I
accomplished.
Eilleen Mallary, Lisa’s School of Dance, Chicago, IL
I was a late bloomer who couldn’t afford classes when I was
younger. I took my first class in my freshman year of college.
Not only did my teacher start me on the road to dance, but she
started me on the road to teaching too. Having the opportunity
to walk into the studio every day is a gift beyond repayment.
Dan Barris, Ocean Centre East Dance Theatre, Manasquan, NJ
The knowledge that beyond my hometown was a whole world
waiting for me. Being a male dancer is difficult when you are
in a small city. It was a tough road for a couple of years. I
remember being angry with my mother because she told my dance
teacher everything I was going through. He was the only person
that could get through to me. He was one of those exceptional
people that believed the money that parents pay isn’t only for
classes, but for life lessons as well. He never gave up on me.
Elaine Godburn, Five Pointes Dance Center, Inc., Farmville, VA
Discipline and a “never say never” attitude. I was never the
best dancer, but I had the love of dance and the drive to
stick with it. My teachers instilled discipline and
“stick-to-it-ness.” This has helped me immensely with my
students who are not the most technically gifted but who have
the heart and desire to dance.
Laurel Ashbee-Rodgers, Expressions Dance Centre Inc., Whitby,
ON, Canada
There is more to the dance world than just the dance-studio
world. The real eye-opener was leaving my little dance school
and learning that it’s important to value every dance teacher
out there. We can learn from one another, regardless of which
style we prefer.
Linda Andrews, Dance Connection, New Rochelle, NY
My ballroom dance coach gave me a great gift when he told me I
should be teaching and that he would train me. The next gift
he gave me was helping me to reach higher—instead of saying
something couldn’t be done he would say, “Why not? Let’s
figure out a way.” Now when my students say something is too
hard, I encourage them reach a little further and see that
they can do it.
Lynda Cadarette, Sturbridge, MA
I come from a poor family. My mom worked hard and couldn’t
always be there to be sure that we were doing what we should
have been doing. My dance teacher, Debbie Sichol, gave me a
place where I was important. I started teaching young, and the
admiration I got from the students kept me out of trouble.
Miss Debbie gave me a sense of self-worth that has shaped my
entire life.
Missy Steers, Inertia, The School of Dance, Inc., O’Fallon, MO
Self-confidence. The best lesson I got was the day I had to
give myself a grade for my independent study. I gave myself a
B and my teacher asked me why not an A. She said I could do
this and that I needed to pursue what was in my heart and not
doubt myself or discredit my work.
Nancy Whyte, Nancy Whyte School of Ballet, Bellingham, WA
When I was 9, my family had to move to a town where there was
no dance. My teacher opened a branch of her school in that
community; otherwise I would not have been able to continue my
studies. She gave me my life.
Stephanie Steinmeyer, Hawthorn Dance and Gymnastics,
Versailles, MO
Reality. I was one of the big fish in a little pond. Lisa
Young, a college dance teacher, helped me discover my fullest
potential by realizing I had a lot to learn.
Dorie Duvall, Dance Arts Conservatory, Wellington, FL
Self-esteem, but more than that. I was a perfectionist, and if
I didn’t get something just right I would pout horribly. One
summer my teacher told me that if I ever did that again, I
would not perform with her program again. It was just what I
needed to find the permission with myself to feel purposeful
and esteemed. The lessons she taught me that summer about
making powerful, mindful choices have touched me for a
lifetime.
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