I first started dance when I was five years old. The studio was in its third
year of existence. Dawn C. was the owner, the only teacher, and the business
was run out of her house.
I'm 13 now, and I've grown. So has All That Jazz. It's gone through three moves,
lots of teachers and just recently, a new owner, but it's still weathered the
storm. Dancing may seem simple, but the ballerinas and hip-hop dancers you see
on TV have had years of practice. No one is graceful when they first start out.
There are many types of dance. Ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, tumbling, ballroom
and Hawaiian are just a few that I've experienced at my studio. Out of all of
these, hip-hop is by far my favorite. It's the class I'm in now.
Guess what? Even after nearly 10 years of dancing (with five in hip-hop), I'm
still not as controlled or graceful as I'd like to be. I still don't get it
sometimes. Sometimes I even wonder why I put myself under the presssure.
So why do I do it?
I love it.
Despite everything; the straining practices, the difficult coreography, the
fights with other girls and even (occasionally) with the teachers, I love what
I do. The rush of adrenaline I get onstage at the final recital just doesn't
compare to anything else.
It may seem crazy to some. It may seem crazy to you. But just think of whatever
gets your heart pumping and makes you want to grin. That's how I feel onstage.
If dance is something that interests you, there are three things you must know
before starting:
#1. Persistance. NEVER GIVE UP! Practice until you're blue in the face.
#2. Don't expect too much. Your body will refuse a lot. It takes experience
to get to be the way others are. Stretch and practice every day.
#3. You have to love it. Sometimes you may hate something; a step, a costume
or a teacher. But overall, you have to love what you do. If you don't (I know
it sound corny), the magic isn't there.
But the number one most fundamental rule is: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!
Dancing takes Mind, Body and Soul. It takes resposibility, persistance and
control. Do you have what it takes?
Dream02
Author's Note: This is an expository essay I wrote for writing
class. I felt it would be a perfect article for the Times. Enjoy!
