A girl who featured in an commercial for dance wear recently received some backlash for her terrible feet, bad posture etc and this hit a nerve for me. I appreciate those dancers that have worked so hard to be excellent technicians and I have complete respect for them as I do all performers who are dedicated to their art. Dance comes in many different genres and to me it is about expression, performance and beauty of movement. Different standards are required depending on the project of course. I want my students to reach their full potential in every area but ultimately I am teaching them to have confidence, personality and expression. There is much speculation towards Abbey Lee Miller of the famous 'dance moms' TV show as to if her strict teaching method is healthy for her students. I haven't watched a massive amount of the show and I imagine a lot of this is bigged up for TV. I try to reach a balance in my classes of having structure with a level of discipline whilst encouraging my students and being careful not to knock their often fragile self esteem. As teachers I believe we have a big responsibility and I'm hard on myself when it comes to finding that perfect balance.
I've received various levels of discipline throughout my dance training as a child then an adult. In the professional world it is of course very different but I can honestly say I have good memories of all parts of it. When I experience the challenges that come with running a business single handedly and I'm having a difficult week and there is no one to help carry the load I this;
I love to dance!
I love to create and have the opportunity to share this with young people. I love to watch dance and learn from other choreographers, teachers and performers. I feel very privileged. I may not be the best teacher or choreographer and my feet most certainly are not perfect after all these years. But I'll keep working hard and becoming better than I was yesterday.
Love and light
Emily X
