The Calm Before the Storm

Dance. All those who know me know I dance. A lot. Dance has been a huge part of my life since I was four years old. Every year, after our dance exams (that's another story), my dance academy prepares for our year-end performance. This weekend is the calm before the storm, as it were, as we start the rehearsals.

After Memorial Day weekend, we have nearly three straight weeks of rehearsals for our six performances near the end of June. This year we're performing The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, one of the stories I have cherished since I was little. We've spent the last couple of months learning the choreography for our class dances and solo pieces, which is always a great time. Being down at the studio, and later in the theater for rehearsals from 3pm to 9pm every day is hard work, but it's also the most fun and memorable part of the year. Setting up half a dozen costume changes, grabbing a quick bite to eat here and there, watching other classes' dances, and taking silly pictures with friends- these are all part of the (mostly) organized chaos of dance rehearsals.

This time of year is also a bit bittersweet, as all of us dancers enjoy our last weeks of being all together before summer break. This last Thursday, the 23rd, was our last day of regular classes for the year, and we definitely made the most of it. We've all known each other for so long, and have become very much like a family. We can get snappy with one another at times, and disagreements arise, but in the end, we are a family and we truly enjoy one another's company. Even though, over the summer, I rarely, if at all, see the others, at the beginning of the next school year, we're all back at dance as if no time had passed at all.

This year, 2012-2013, has been filled with more memories than any other of my years at dance. It's been tough, stressful, and at times an uphill battle, but I would say it has also been the best year of dance ever. I can't wait for summer break, but at the same time, I don't want this to end. Although, Fall 2013 approaches fast... :)

~Katie~

P.S. Fruit Salad Forever! :)