Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Way Up High.

Merry Christmas!  Our first semester has already come to a quick conclusion with Clute's Christmas in the Park.  We love this venue and the wonderful crew that runs it.  It was a very special performance because we were able to have each class perform independently and then together. 

Kyndell commented on how much our students have grown in just one year and in two years.  The audience may see a small dancer trying to hide behind her buddy on stage, or a dancer making very small motions, or a dancer that may not face the crowd straight on. What they don't see is two years of working towards getting on and staying on the stage for the performance, putting on and keeping on an itchy or not-so-favorite costume and hairpiece, not playing with your star on the ground, and then finally actually performing the movements that we practice in class each week in front of a noisy, bright, and picture-taking crowd.  There was so much success tonight and we are proud of each moment- whether on stage or in the waiting room at the dance studio.  It ALL matters for these dancers.

One dancer thanked me tonight for teaching her how to dance- the irony is that truly, she has taught me so much more in two and half years.  I may have given her words to call movements and a room with mirrors that she can move in, but she has taught me that dance transcends past the limbs and technique.  It is much grander than that.  In almost 20 years of dancing, it took this student and these dancers to truly teach me that.  It's one thing to know that dance moves past the body, and one thing to feel it in your heart that dance is part of the soul.

I also gained a new gratitude for our Buddies & Angels tonight.  They are so committed and loving.  They care about our dancers and have bonded with them.  I was able to stand back and watch the gentle hands lifting and encouraging on-stage as well as the quiet conversations happening off the stage. I am so very thankful for EACH volunteer that has helped our dancers and our organization.

Some of our dancers danced to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Kaulana Kanekoa & Vince Esquire.  Today, I hope that each dancer gets to feel that they dance over the rainbow, way up high, where dreams really do come true.

Have a very Merry Christmas and I hope that each of you get to feel the joy of the season, like I did tonight.

Ms. Leah