When Christmas season rolled upon us I couldn’t help but remember when times were a bit simpler in the sense that my mind had one track: show time. You see the Christmas season holds an extra special place in my heart because as a dancer it was one of the busiest times in my schedule.

Typically, there were about two to three shows we’d perform in that were always my favorite part of the holiday season. Nothing gets you in the Christmas spirit like dancing around with a giant candy cane, amiright?

This year marked the third year I didn’t wear costumes trimmed with marabou fur, luxurious lashes, and bright red lips. I stressed about exams instead of remembering multiple dances and instead of hauling my butt to Charlotte for about a week and a half, I just drove home from college.

I’m not sure what made this year so nostalgic for me but it surely was and I missed my dancing days. So in honor of those great times, I wanted to reflect on the great impact being a dancer had on me.

Body Image

Typically, body image and dance have a very hateful relationship as dancers are expected to be incredibly thin. We see in documentaries about dance that sometimes it isn’t done in the right way creating eating disorders.

While times have definitely changed, this isn’t something that has completely disappeared. I had my struggles with body image because I was never nor have I ever been rail thin and for that, I felt inadequate as a dancer. After enough tears being shed I lost some weight.

Initially, it was just so I could stop being miserable in my own skin but eventually, I learned I was capable of anything if I put my mind to it. When I started to feel comfortable in my own skin I wasn’t afraid to dance anymore and finally found my niche.

Breaking the Shell

I was an incredibly shy child and the only reason I started taking dance classes was that my new best friend/neighbor wanted me to take them with her (shoutout Cera). Dance pushed me out of my box because I found a new way to express myself when words were not enough.

Also, it was perfect for me because I didn’t have to speak in order to dance, unlike cheerleading where you have to yell and get excited. I eventually started being an assistant teacher and sometimes a substitute teacher when needed.

The shy girl who didn’t want to be seen found her own voice and was able to share it with others. This only made me able to go out for other clubs and eventually find my love for theatre as well.

Skill Sets

Dancers are like Swiss army knives when it comes to having various skills. On one hand, they can count to eight in about a thousand different ways. They feel the music and can match their body to the exact beat playing and are not limited by any style.

Not only can they layer about four different pairs of tights without passing out but they can literally change in less than thirty seconds from ballet to hip-hop.

I learned how to apply fake eyelashes not only on myself but for others as well as put them on in a car. I even got the opportunity to do sign language for a dance.

Experiences

Through dance, I went on two really fun trips: one to Los Angeles and one to New York City (the city love of my life!). Both were incredibly fun because I got to go with some of my best friends participate in amazing classes with incredible guest teachers, meet people from all over the world, and hello see a show on Broadway!

Not only were the trips the best but my dance resume is pretty impressive for someone who won’t ever need it. I got the opportunity to perform in numerous shows in the Christmas season and spring.

I’ve seen famous people like Chubby Checker perform and even been in a commercial for Charlotte when the city hosted the DNC. I was incredibly blessed for thirteen years to get to do all that I can say I’ve done.

Everyone has something that was a pivotal point in helping them develop who they are and no doubt in mind dancing for thirteen years shaped me into who I am. I wouldn’t give anything for those times.