Let's get real here. We all have moments where we feel like giving up on something, but what really defines a moment like that is whether or not we decide to give up or get up.
Recently, I've been evaluating my students based on their technique, determination, and overall approach they have on their classes. Like I said before, we all have rough moments where we don't feel like things are going the way we want, but what we choose to do is the most important part of that moment. Some of my students have recently experienced what it's like to come across a difficult time during some of their classes.
Just like anything else, in dance, as you continue to excel with your technique and ability you are placed in higher levels or categories. After Christmas, I placed my students in the levels I believed they would fit best. While some remained in the level they were in before Christmas, others were placed in higher levels. Those placed in higher levels have recently learned what it's like to occasionally struggle with specific combinations, their technique, and being critiqued differently. Some of them have taken the route of positivity and continue to work just as hard or harder than they were before; others however, have questioned whether or not they are "good enough".
When you begin to second guess yourself and question whether or not you are good enough, you begin to sell yourself short of your true potential. As a studio owner, teacher, and coach it's difficult to see your students feel this way about themselves when you see so much potential within them. Not only does it hurt them emotionally and sometimes technically, but it hurts you emotionally as well. Being in the position of a studio owner, teacher, and coach you create a deep relationship with your students, especially those on your company or competition team. These relationships often run deeper than that of teacher-student-relationship, these kids become like family to you and your family.
Recently, I've witnessed my students become upset and concerned that they're no longer good enough for their level or even being a dancer. However, as the teacher you have to try and understand not only how they are feeling, but also how to reinsure them they are good enough and they have the potential to be even better than they dream to be. In order to understand what's going on with them, you have to watch closely to see what decision they make for themselves.
Unfortunately, only six to thirty percent of people make the decision to get up and move forward. The other seventy to ninety-four percent decide to give up and stop trying. Some of my students have recently struggled with flexibility and their leaps on the right or left side. As dancers, many of you know there is often one side you are better at for most things. A few of my students chose to get up and move forward, which is wonderful! However, some of them chose to begin questioning their technique, second guessing themselves, and began giving up. This became their defining moment when giving up or getting up came in.
When you choose to give up and stop trying, you immediately close yourself off to the future you you could become in dance or any aspect of life. There could be an amazing future on the other side of that moment. However, because you chose to give up and stop believing in yourself, the likelihood of you discovering that future is very slim. The moment you choose to give up, you close yourself off to the remainder of that dance class or your day and your potential future may forever remain unknown.
When you choose to get up and move forward you are making the decision to look at what's happening and realize, yes, this might be a difficult moment for me, but it's going to be okay. You need to remind yourself of all of your past and present accomplishments and make the decision to apply the corrections you've been given to help make you better. When you make the decision to get up, you are opening yourself up to your future and embracing all that God has planned for you. You're allowing yourself to continue to progress toward future accomplishments.
No matter who you are, whether you can get right back up and continue going, you need a little pep talk, or you need tough love. Remember, it's whether or not you choose to give up or get up. Be the six to thirty percent that gets back up, brushes themselves off, and moves forward. Don't sell yourself short of the dancer or person you could become, the technique you could have, or the amazing future that lies ahead. Get back up and prove to yourself, even in those moments when giving up feels like the easiest thing, you are determined to be better than you were the day before. When my students are struggling with the decision to get up or give up, I like to leave them with this, even though giving up feels easy, even when someone is better than you, see how high the bar has been raised and raise it higher! Even if that means it takes you, one day, one week, one month, or one year, raise it higher than it was before! Don't give up, get up and move forward!
Written by: Kelsea Krisle, Owner of Soles On Fire Dance Academy
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Monday, June 20, 2016
The Official Beginning
As many of you know and have read over the last couple of months, we have been working on finalizing an official location. You might have also noticed a long span of time in which I have not posted or written much. If you don't already know, we have big news! We are officially open for business in our very first location!
Over the last month we have not posted due to building a dance studio within the building we are located in. On May 20, 2016 we signed our lease to our first studio and a few short days after that, we started working to create our studio. We spent 3 weeks repainting, replacing carpet, laying down a dance floor, and more to be able to give our current and future dancers a place to call their home dance studio! Some of you may have stopped by or even seen photos of what our current location looks like. However, until you know how far the studio had to come in 3 weeks, you will never know how excited my husband and I truly were when we opened our doors for the first time on June 11, 2016.
When we worked in the studio for those 3 weeks, we had many days that it felt like our deadline was going to be impossible to reach. We experience many ups and downs over the course of the 3 weeks we worked, but in the end it was well worth the small and large disasters we met. Some of you may be wondering, "what on earth happened during those 3 weeks?!" Trust me, it got crazy at times and I plan to tell you about some of our minor and not-so-minor issues we ran into...
First, we walked in to see we had tons...and I mean TONS of work ahead of us. For example, one of our smallest issues was having to crawl around the floor and repaint all the trim white because it was painted the same color as the walls...that was interesting! ;) Another minor issue was the day I bought Black Swan paint. Now, I'm sure many of you will read the name, "Black Swan" and think of the movie, as well as think, "Oh ok, she bought 'black' paint"...Well that wasn't the case! It was actually a very dark purple. So, in the end after many trips to the paint store, we got it to black enough for our one wall. As the days went on, we purchased mirrors, mounted them on the wall, and then came a slightly bigger problem. We couldn't use those mirrors the way they were put up. So, we re-hung them.
Now, I'm sure your thinking, "They re-hing mirrors...so...what's that got to do with anything?" It has a lot to do with our experience! We re-hung these mirrors 3 times...and had to purchase a new one in the process. Wanna know why? Well, one shattered... All. Over. My. Husband. He's fine, no need for an emergency room, just some bandaids. I will tell you, these mirrors were 4 feet wide and 8 feet tall. A few days later, before getting our new mirrors, we found glass 9 feet up, stuck in the wall! Like I said, it was an experience.
I'm sure your probably thinking, "A mirror shattered, a 4 foot by 8 foot mirror SHATTERED ON HER HUSBAND, that's got the be the worst of it!" Well, in reality I'm sure it does ad up to be one of the worst things that could have happened, but truthfully, one of the worst things was not knowing when our dance floor was going to arrive! With only 2 days left till we opened, we hadn't heard anything about when our flooring would be arriving. We are very grateful it arrived on June 9, 2016 and was finally installed the morning before we opened!
Surely, you're thinking wow...these are 3 things that are all on different levels of crazy, and believe me they are, and there's more where that came from! I can honestly say, even through all the crazy and the nutty adventure we went on to create our studio, it was all worth it. Many people joke around and say, "I put my blood, sweat, and tears into this place to make it look like this!" I can truly say, we put our blood, sweat, and tears into this studio! Every day we worked, every time something went wrong, or went right, it no longer matters what kind of disasters we had because it was all worth it! It's still worth it because we now have our first dance studio and a place for students to come and enjoy their dancing experience. We hope to make our studio a place for our students to come and express themselves, thank you to everyone who helped us and continues to help us. We love you all and can't wait to see you in classes!
Over the last month we have not posted due to building a dance studio within the building we are located in. On May 20, 2016 we signed our lease to our first studio and a few short days after that, we started working to create our studio. We spent 3 weeks repainting, replacing carpet, laying down a dance floor, and more to be able to give our current and future dancers a place to call their home dance studio! Some of you may have stopped by or even seen photos of what our current location looks like. However, until you know how far the studio had to come in 3 weeks, you will never know how excited my husband and I truly were when we opened our doors for the first time on June 11, 2016.
When we worked in the studio for those 3 weeks, we had many days that it felt like our deadline was going to be impossible to reach. We experience many ups and downs over the course of the 3 weeks we worked, but in the end it was well worth the small and large disasters we met. Some of you may be wondering, "what on earth happened during those 3 weeks?!" Trust me, it got crazy at times and I plan to tell you about some of our minor and not-so-minor issues we ran into...
First, we walked in to see we had tons...and I mean TONS of work ahead of us. For example, one of our smallest issues was having to crawl around the floor and repaint all the trim white because it was painted the same color as the walls...that was interesting! ;) Another minor issue was the day I bought Black Swan paint. Now, I'm sure many of you will read the name, "Black Swan" and think of the movie, as well as think, "Oh ok, she bought 'black' paint"...Well that wasn't the case! It was actually a very dark purple. So, in the end after many trips to the paint store, we got it to black enough for our one wall. As the days went on, we purchased mirrors, mounted them on the wall, and then came a slightly bigger problem. We couldn't use those mirrors the way they were put up. So, we re-hung them.
Now, I'm sure your thinking, "They re-hing mirrors...so...what's that got to do with anything?" It has a lot to do with our experience! We re-hung these mirrors 3 times...and had to purchase a new one in the process. Wanna know why? Well, one shattered... All. Over. My. Husband. He's fine, no need for an emergency room, just some bandaids. I will tell you, these mirrors were 4 feet wide and 8 feet tall. A few days later, before getting our new mirrors, we found glass 9 feet up, stuck in the wall! Like I said, it was an experience.
I'm sure your probably thinking, "A mirror shattered, a 4 foot by 8 foot mirror SHATTERED ON HER HUSBAND, that's got the be the worst of it!" Well, in reality I'm sure it does ad up to be one of the worst things that could have happened, but truthfully, one of the worst things was not knowing when our dance floor was going to arrive! With only 2 days left till we opened, we hadn't heard anything about when our flooring would be arriving. We are very grateful it arrived on June 9, 2016 and was finally installed the morning before we opened!
Surely, you're thinking wow...these are 3 things that are all on different levels of crazy, and believe me they are, and there's more where that came from! I can honestly say, even through all the crazy and the nutty adventure we went on to create our studio, it was all worth it. Many people joke around and say, "I put my blood, sweat, and tears into this place to make it look like this!" I can truly say, we put our blood, sweat, and tears into this studio! Every day we worked, every time something went wrong, or went right, it no longer matters what kind of disasters we had because it was all worth it! It's still worth it because we now have our first dance studio and a place for students to come and enjoy their dancing experience. We hope to make our studio a place for our students to come and express themselves, thank you to everyone who helped us and continues to help us. We love you all and can't wait to see you in classes!
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Happy Father's Day!
In honor of Father's Day, we would like to say Happy Father's Day to all of the dad's out there! We love you and appreciate you more than words can say! Thank you for everything you do for your families. We would also like to say Happy Father's Day to the moms that have to be mom and dad. You are the best!
I would like to personally say Happy Father's Day to my dad. He has been at every dance performance, event, and competition I can remember. In the last photo I've added, it truly shows how my dad is and has always been to not only me, but my whole family. He is the best dad a girl could ever ask for. Thank you for always being there for me! I love you daddy!
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Sign Up Today!
We are getting very close to locking down our official location in the
Downtown Newnan, Geogria Square!
We are currently taking sign ups for the 2016-2017 dance year!
Be sure to email or call us to make sure you're one of the first 25 to receive a FREE dance class!
Monday, May 16, 2016
A Master Class with Debbie Allen
I would like to personally apologize for the slight hiatus that has happened. Life has happened over the last couple of days and there have not been any recent posts! However, I am coming back and may have a few things coming up that I think everyone will be excited about!
Yesterday, I had the honor of being able to take a master class from the Miss Debbie Allen here in Atlanta. For many years this has been a dream of mine because she is one of the greats in the world of dance. For those of you who do not know who she is, she was in the original screen play of Fame. Many of you may have seen the newer version, well there is an original and she is in it! You may also know her as Dr. Katherine Avery from Grey's Anatomy.
When taking any master class, especially from someone you have not taken before it is important to try your best even if you're unsure of what you may be learning. In my experience yesterday (Sunday, May 15) taking from Debbie Allen was a great experience. For example, many teachers whether they are in their 20s or almost 70s they often only explain the movements but do not demonstrate them. However, something that truly inspired and amazed me was the fact that Debbie Allen, being almost 68 years old, she demonstrated every combination and piece of choreography she taught. During one of the combinations, she made the comment, "I'm getting lower in my plie than you guys are. I am 67 years old, almost 68 and you people are young. Get lower than that, if I can do it you can do it." Now, some of us might read this and think she was being critical, however she was not being critical, she was being slightly comedic but also using constructive criticism to make us better dancers.
After taking class from her, I became inspired to always be a teacher than demonstrates the combination or piece of choreography because I felt more inspired as a student. Being a teacher is a wonderful thing because you are able to share your knowledge with your students. However, I had the opportunity to be a student yesterday and took advantage of it. A piece of advice I would like to share with teachers and students, is never stop learning. Any time you have the opportunity to be a student once again, take it, especially if it is an opportunity to take from someone with as many years in dance like Debbie Allen has. The experience being able to learn from someone with such dance experience was amazing, I learned things I had learned years ago, but I also learned things that I had not known before.
Thank you to Debbie Allen for a great experience and master class. It was an honor to be able to take from you and I cannot wait to have another chance and give my students the same opportunity.
Yesterday, I had the honor of being able to take a master class from the Miss Debbie Allen here in Atlanta. For many years this has been a dream of mine because she is one of the greats in the world of dance. For those of you who do not know who she is, she was in the original screen play of Fame. Many of you may have seen the newer version, well there is an original and she is in it! You may also know her as Dr. Katherine Avery from Grey's Anatomy.
When taking any master class, especially from someone you have not taken before it is important to try your best even if you're unsure of what you may be learning. In my experience yesterday (Sunday, May 15) taking from Debbie Allen was a great experience. For example, many teachers whether they are in their 20s or almost 70s they often only explain the movements but do not demonstrate them. However, something that truly inspired and amazed me was the fact that Debbie Allen, being almost 68 years old, she demonstrated every combination and piece of choreography she taught. During one of the combinations, she made the comment, "I'm getting lower in my plie than you guys are. I am 67 years old, almost 68 and you people are young. Get lower than that, if I can do it you can do it." Now, some of us might read this and think she was being critical, however she was not being critical, she was being slightly comedic but also using constructive criticism to make us better dancers.
After taking class from her, I became inspired to always be a teacher than demonstrates the combination or piece of choreography because I felt more inspired as a student. Being a teacher is a wonderful thing because you are able to share your knowledge with your students. However, I had the opportunity to be a student yesterday and took advantage of it. A piece of advice I would like to share with teachers and students, is never stop learning. Any time you have the opportunity to be a student once again, take it, especially if it is an opportunity to take from someone with as many years in dance like Debbie Allen has. The experience being able to learn from someone with such dance experience was amazing, I learned things I had learned years ago, but I also learned things that I had not known before.
Thank you to Debbie Allen for a great experience and master class. It was an honor to be able to take from you and I cannot wait to have another chance and give my students the same opportunity.
Monday, May 9, 2016
Taking the Stage
As many of you may have seen recently on our Facebook page or remember some of our posts previously, I told you about how we were heading to an upcoming competition! You may have also seen our recent post of our press release from the Showstopper Dance Competition. Today, I wanted to tell you about what it was like to take the stage after 3 years of taking a break from competing and performing.
Over the last 3 years, I have taken a break from competing and performing in general. I have primarily been teaching, learning, and staying behind the scenes and away from center stage. These last 3 years gave me many moments I had longed to be back on the stage. About 4-5 months ago, I started working with Aris, one of my students that I had worked with when he first started dancing. At the beginning of our rehearsals together, we had discussed for him to compete at the Showstopper Dance Competition or another competition if the timing lined up properly with our schedules. During one of our rehearsals he asked me how long it had actually been since I had performed or competed. When I told him it had been 3 years, he told me he refused to compete unless I did as well. Now, to elaborate on the refusal you need to know a background story.
3 years ago, during the last hip hop group dance I had taught, I promised them I would take them to a competition someday and I would compete with them. Unfortunately, the money and timing never aligned properly and we didn't get to compete. Well, not knowing 3 years later I would be working with one of my first kids, I had completely forgotten about this promise. So, after not competing or performing for 3 years I was reminded of my 3 year old promise and was held accountable for it. Not only did I compete a solo, I also competed with Aris in a duet. The day my solo was to be performed was like any other traditional competition day, you arrive and the adrenaline of seeing the stage, the lights, the costumes, and other talented students begins to course through your veins and excite you unlike any other place can.
The morning of April 30th, I walked into my first competition setting in 3 years. Believe me, the feeling I described above doesn't even compare to the way I felt when I saw the stage I'd be performing on. My first thought looking at this familiar and favorite setting was, "Hello old friend! It's good to be back!" That night, as I was stretching and preparing to perform in only a few minutes, I was nervous, excited, and reminiscing on my previous competitions and performances! As I was standing backstage, on deck, waiting for the number before mine to be completed, I couldn't wait to step on that stage.
As soon as I stepped on that stage, I felt the floor beneath me, the pirouette shoes on my feet, my huge, sparkling competition earrings in my ears, my hair slicked back and braided as tight as my mom could get it, and finally the warmth of the bright lights, and I knew I was at home and in an element unlike anything else on that stage again. The music started and like always I thought, don't forget the dance! The music continued and I continued to flow through the choreography with it and felt a feeling of true expression, relaxation, and love for dance that I haven't felt in 3 years. For me, it wasn't about competing against anyone else, it was about being able to perform again, show my love and passion for dance, and compete against myself and the dancer I used to be. When I started dancing and competing at Raskin Dance Studio, I was told something that I will never forget.
"When you perform, compete, or just take class...dance as if it's the last time you will ever dance."
-Miss Val (Valerie Raskin)
Since the day I had heard that statement from Miss Val, I have continued to remind myself of it every time I dance and I now tell my students the same thing. For those of you that dance, I urge you to always remember to dance as if it's your last time. It will not only make you a better dancer, but the love and passion you have for dance will grow and progress even further in that moment than you could ever imagine. The next time you compete, perform, or take class, please take this quote to heart and leave feedback for us to read about how you felt in that moment!
Over the last 3 years, I have taken a break from competing and performing in general. I have primarily been teaching, learning, and staying behind the scenes and away from center stage. These last 3 years gave me many moments I had longed to be back on the stage. About 4-5 months ago, I started working with Aris, one of my students that I had worked with when he first started dancing. At the beginning of our rehearsals together, we had discussed for him to compete at the Showstopper Dance Competition or another competition if the timing lined up properly with our schedules. During one of our rehearsals he asked me how long it had actually been since I had performed or competed. When I told him it had been 3 years, he told me he refused to compete unless I did as well. Now, to elaborate on the refusal you need to know a background story.
3 years ago, during the last hip hop group dance I had taught, I promised them I would take them to a competition someday and I would compete with them. Unfortunately, the money and timing never aligned properly and we didn't get to compete. Well, not knowing 3 years later I would be working with one of my first kids, I had completely forgotten about this promise. So, after not competing or performing for 3 years I was reminded of my 3 year old promise and was held accountable for it. Not only did I compete a solo, I also competed with Aris in a duet. The day my solo was to be performed was like any other traditional competition day, you arrive and the adrenaline of seeing the stage, the lights, the costumes, and other talented students begins to course through your veins and excite you unlike any other place can.
The morning of April 30th, I walked into my first competition setting in 3 years. Believe me, the feeling I described above doesn't even compare to the way I felt when I saw the stage I'd be performing on. My first thought looking at this familiar and favorite setting was, "Hello old friend! It's good to be back!" That night, as I was stretching and preparing to perform in only a few minutes, I was nervous, excited, and reminiscing on my previous competitions and performances! As I was standing backstage, on deck, waiting for the number before mine to be completed, I couldn't wait to step on that stage.
As soon as I stepped on that stage, I felt the floor beneath me, the pirouette shoes on my feet, my huge, sparkling competition earrings in my ears, my hair slicked back and braided as tight as my mom could get it, and finally the warmth of the bright lights, and I knew I was at home and in an element unlike anything else on that stage again. The music started and like always I thought, don't forget the dance! The music continued and I continued to flow through the choreography with it and felt a feeling of true expression, relaxation, and love for dance that I haven't felt in 3 years. For me, it wasn't about competing against anyone else, it was about being able to perform again, show my love and passion for dance, and compete against myself and the dancer I used to be. When I started dancing and competing at Raskin Dance Studio, I was told something that I will never forget.
"When you perform, compete, or just take class...dance as if it's the last time you will ever dance."
-Miss Val (Valerie Raskin)
Since the day I had heard that statement from Miss Val, I have continued to remind myself of it every time I dance and I now tell my students the same thing. For those of you that dance, I urge you to always remember to dance as if it's your last time. It will not only make you a better dancer, but the love and passion you have for dance will grow and progress even further in that moment than you could ever imagine. The next time you compete, perform, or take class, please take this quote to heart and leave feedback for us to read about how you felt in that moment!
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Happy Mother's Day!
On behalf of myself and Soles On Fire Dance Academy, we would like to say Happy Mother's Day to all of the amazing moms out there that make our lives so much better each and everyday! A huge thank you definitely goes out to all of the amazing dance moms that help all of us dancers at every class, rehearsal, and performance! We love you all and appreciate you more than words can say!
I personally want to thank my mom for years of driving me to and from class, rehearsal, and performances, without you I wouldn't be where I am today!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)