...Write it down. "Our ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences)can be a vulnerability but I also think they're the source of our super powers" ~ Dr. Nadine Burke Harris Have you ever been in a funk? When you're just not feeling positive or like yourself? I was just in one for about 10 days. I don't know why it started and at the time didn't know why I couldn't kick it! Arg! It was so frustrating and I didn't feel good about myself at the end of the day. I was not being the mother

... that started years before COVID pivot [ piv-uht ] to turn on or as on a pivot. to modify (a policy, opinion, product, etc.) while retaining some continuity with its previous version Yup, that has been 2020 for so many of us.... pivot and then pivot some more. Although this year has been difficult I truely see the value in what 2020 has forced me to recognize. And that is to look around me and see what is actually going on so I can make slight or major pivots accordingly.

A story about courage and communication Presently in my jazz classes we are choreographying new group jazz dances for upcoming competitions. After one of my classes this last Monday a student came up to me and said she felt like everyone else had a solo part except her. Even though it wasn't true I couldn't discount the way she was feeling. First off, I am so proud of her to have been vulnerable and courageous enough to come talk to me about how she was feeling, I'm not sure

A lesson in vulnerability This last week I sat down with my heels class to talk about performance.... "How can I get more performance out of you?" We talked about character. We talked about emotion. We talked about feeling. We talked about story. We talked about costumes. We talked about lighting. We talked about what famous dancer they could picture performing the piece. And then someone said, "In order to open up and show true emotion on and off stage you need to be vulnera

That simple phrase can lift you up. It's almost holiday season!! A very special time of year to give thanks and help those in need. This year above any other I feel like we could all use a little help from our friends to spread some love. Last week in myDANCEjournal LiVE our community talked about tools to help with stress, nervousness and anxiety. Did you know helping others can relieve stress? I know when I'm feeling like I'm drowning in my own crap, taking a step back and

What's your mindset? Competition is a funny thing. Funny in the way that it can drive people to do their best or it can drive people to fall apart.... and everywhere in between of course. And it's all based on what your mindset is, not what placement you got. My "Dear Dance Parents" blog and posts a couple weeks ago brought up some great topics of conversation. Thank you to all the parents who participated with comments or private messages. These conversations are so importan

Let's create some! dra·ma /ˈdrämə/ noun 1. a play for theater, radio, or television. 2. an exciting, emotional, or unexpected series of events or set of circumstances. Just as Charlie Chaplin did back in the age of silent films, we as dancers need to create an exciting, emotional performance with our movement and expressions. Growing up dancing I never really thought of myself as an actress because I was never a part of the plays at school or took an acting class. In fact, th

It's Canadian Thanksgiving! The first thing that came to my mind when I closed my eyes to dig a little deeper about what I'm most thankful for this Canadian Thanksgiving was my health and the health of my family. We are an active family and the thought of one of us being unable to dance or play hockey for whatever reason made me feel grateful that we can. Then I felt guiltly. Guilty because not everyone can. Guilty that there are people suffering all over the world right now

It's my one year anni!!! I have written a blog everyweek for a year. Now to some people that might not seem like a big deal but for me it totally is.... and I am celebrating! I published my very first blog on September 4, 2019 titled "What are you showing the world." I had just finished producing The Los Angeles Dance Experience at Accentz in Vernon, B.C. and was inspired by one of the teachers who taught during The L.A.X., Micheal Munday, to write it. I started myDANCEblog f