Not everyone understands dance. That is something you will learn to become at peace with. Dance is like this little preview of heaven that they will never get to experience or comprehend. We as alumni get that more than you do right now. We know dance is your first love, your second home, and your great escape. We understand you, and we understand dance. When you are younger there are feelings you have yet to encounter, especially the feelings of being a senior, graduating, moving on, and coming back. The alumni were there, the seniors are there, and soon you will be there. Here is some advise from the people who have been there, and by there I mean in the life of a dancer. They had the good times and the bad, the laughs and the cries. This is for you young dancer:
"you're gonna miss it. All of it. No matter how much your body may ache, how much you don't want to go to your ballet classes, or how tired you are from juggling everything plus dance. You're gonna miss it. Don't think there aren't great things ahead-because there are-but there's nothing like being on that stage. And the people you share it with, you'll never meet another group like them. You'll have other friendships, but none as unique as the ones created in the studio. You'll have other moments of vulnerability in your life, but none as vulnerable and honest as the ones spent in the studio pushing yourself to your furthest limit. You'll have other loves, but none as good as your first. And if you're anything like me, that first love is dance." ~Sunny Hyde ADE Alumni 2015
"I think the most important thing that the dancers should know is that a score, or a color of a medal, or a judge's award, or a placement, whether it be good or bad, doesn't define you or your worth. What matters is how hard you work and how many lives you touch in the process. That's what people will remember about you!! I honestly remember very few of the awards that I or any of my friends received, but I have vivid memories of times spent rolling in laughter on the floor backstage at competitions or at long 12 hour practices. So, work hard so that you do your best at competitions, but focus your worries on building stronger relationships with your teammates" ~Mackenzie Jackson ADE Alumni 2015
"I want you to know that when you get older and things get stressful, when their friends aren't in sports and get to hangout all the time at crazy hours during the night because they had all afternoon to do their homework, dance is still worth it. I want you to know that dance is the only true escape from the real world, and it's the best escape. So not matter how tough or stressful things get, dance is like that best friend that's there for you through everything." ~Katelyn Missy ADE Alumni 2015
"Know that you are somewhere special, were love is grown. There are not many other places like this. This is the best place, these are the best times, and these are the best people. I hope you know how amazing you are. The way you move your body is talent. Share it. I never want you to live with regret so give everything 100%." ~Kayle Davis ADE Alumni 2016
"spend your time wisely and make every little moment count. You don't realize how little time you have left until you only have a little time left." ~Allie Deschapell ADE Alumni 2016
Take what they have to say however you need. Its food for thought, and as to me, the good kind of food. The knowledge they have and want to give, that advice, is home cooking. Fuel for the soul. I hope maybe this gave you a new perspective, or a little motivation. For some dance might just be an after school hobby, and for others it's their entire life. If theres one thing I can say about dance and our studio is that, we planted our roots there. Our roots have grown, and so have we. We have grown together, we intertwine. We make each other stronger, we help each other stand tall. Your time as a dancer is truly a defining moment in your life. Treasure it.
