Every Step Counts

As dancers, we work really really hard on a daily basis. We rehearse choreography for months on end often for just one night of performance. We train our entire lives for that moment on stage. Don’t get me wrong—it’s all 100% worth it. But what if we shifted our focus?

Instead of viewing every technique class and rehearsal as training for that one moment, let’s view it as the moment. When you walk into modern class, pretend you are walking on stage. When you learn a new combination in jazz class, give it all you’ve got just as if you were in front of an entire audience. When you are at the barre in ballet class, imagine you are performing.

This doesn’t mean we can’t make mistakes. After all, what better place to fall out of your fouette turn than in class with your friends, but remember that training and rehearsals matter just as much if not more than the actual performance.

We cannot be our best on stage if we are not our best in rehearsals and technique classes. It’s important to enliven the rehearsal and class experience by making each step count. Learn to enjoy the process of working towards the end goal—not just arriving at the end goal.

The next time you walk into a dance studio, take a minute to remember why you are there. This change of perspective helps change our attitude, refresh us, and renew our passion and love for dance.

Remember, this concept is not just relevant for dancers. It applies to every area of our lives. Make every moment count, and remember that anything worth doing is worth doing well.

Atlanta Takes the Stage

In less than a month, the eighth annual Project Dance Atlanta will be underway. For the past three years, Autumn Morgenstern has been the Event Producer for the Atlanta project, and the success of the project continues to grow. This year over 150 dancers are expected to participate during the first weekend of October.

As a city, Atlanta truly has a heart for the arts, making it the perfect location for Project Dance. Dance is thriving in the Atlanta area. The city is filled with dance studios as well as pro and semi-pro companies. Autumn said she knows of two new dance companies starting just this year as well as a new arts festival. Atlanta is an up and coming city in the film industry which means there are more and more agents looking to hire dancers. Bottom line – if you are a dancer, Atlanta is full of opportunities!

If you are visiting Atlanta, here are a few dance studios you should definitely check out. Dance101, Ikonic Dance Studio, Dance411, Atlanta Ballet and Gotta Dance are the main studios in the Atlanta area offering adult classes, and they are excellent resources for dancers.

As a dancer, the training never stops. That’s why it’s so important to get plugged into the dance world and train under as many people as possible. Autumn said that when she was growing up she was never the best dancer at her studio or the one who was chosen to be in front; instead, she worked hard and it paid off. Autumn worked as a Radio City Rockette for seven years as well as performed with Walt Disney World, Stiletto Entertainment and more. She said, “If you love dance, stick with it. True art takes a long time to perfect so continue to work on your technique and performance skills and never give up.”

Atlanta will prove to be a project full of learning from experts in the industry as well as performing in the heart of downtown Atlanta. If you are in the area, stop by Atlantic Station on Saturday, October 4th to see talented dancers performing on the streets of Atlanta during the free concert. Sunday after the concert, dancers will have the chance to train under some of the best. Master classes will be taught by Project Dance founder and former Radio City Rockette, Cheryl Cutlip. Hip hop classes will be offered by PD favorites Natassia and Carl, and Stacey Slitcher will be teaching ballet. These are just a few of the talented teachers joining us in Atlanta this year, and you don’t want to miss it! So pack your dance bag because it’s not too late to join Project Dance in Atlanta October 3-5. Visit www.projectdance.com for more information!

Mission and Goals: Project Dance® is a movement of dancers seeking to positively impact culture through artistic integrity. Our desire is to see every dancer nurtured to their fullest human potential for their own wellbeing and their contribution to the world. We offer training, education, and performance opportunities for dancers worldwide who desire to dance with integrity to inspire. Check out www.projectdance.com to learn more.