An Open Letter To The Dance Teacher Who Raised Me

My loving parents raised me, and I give them a ton of credit. But sometimes they couldn’t teach me things that you could. The studio was my second home, and you were my second family. I watched you build a successful studio from just a group of young competitors to another successful year of recreational dancers, competition dancers, and performance team dancers pulling together for an outstanding recital production. To have a leadership position in the studio as an assistant at first and then a teacher was an important aspect of my Junior and Senior year of high school. I was able to have a positive impact on children like no other, like you were for me. To be allowed that opportunity is something I am eternally grateful for. When moving away to college, I knew I would miss my family, friends, and hometown. But I missed you and the studio so much more than I could have ever guessed I would. You gave me freedom every afternoon following a rough night or a difficult day at school. I’ve missed the open space to just do what I feel like doing to work out my anxieties.The studio was like a safe zone. I’ve missed being able to let go of the fear of being judged even if it was for only 3 hours or so. Those 3 hours meant everything to me. Often in my down time in college, I have sat and started thinking about home. But the thing I get most upset about was not being able to go to the studio. I don’t remember telling my parents that I wanted to dance. But I do remember telling them I wanted to try out for Company. In that moment, I had no idea the influence. Throughout the many years, I have learned concrete things like time management, memory skills, and a good makeup routine, but also things like self-discipline and self-confidence. So I thank you. I thank you for the tough love. There were some nights when I would go home frustrated, but I was never unsure about returning the next day. I thank you for the confidence. I would not be who I am today without you. I thank for your support. I never doubted your belief in me through everything I was pursuing. I thank for your open arms. I know when I return back from college on breaks I can find a spot back at my second home. And I thank you for you.