On Choreography

This year, for the first time, I choreographed and taught an entire dance to other class members. I've done smaller dances before for me and my three younger sisters... but this one was for 9 girls (including me), two dads, and a brother. I also helped with the choreography for another dance. Along the way, there were unexpected challenges and equally unexpected rewards. For instance, I have learned that:

• Nine girls in a very small room makes it very hard for everyone to focus, but...
• Even when nothing seems to be going right, God gives me the patience and grace to keep my head. Which is a miracle in itself.
• It's easier to teach people in twos and threes than all at once.
• The things I thought would be easy for everyone to understand were hard, and the things I thought would be challenging were mastered quickly.
• No matter what they say and do while I'm teaching the dance, there are girls who care as much as I do about learning it well ... and it shows!
• If you dance outside in bare feet on a cold day, you can't feel the ants when they bite you.
• I can't teach a dance and answer costume questions at the same time.
• I wish that, in the past, I hadn't asked Anna costume questions while she was teaching a dance.
• If you're not going to write down your choreography, you'd better practice it OFTEN, or you will forget it by the time you have to teach it and, therefore, will have to make it up on the fly.
• The device that plays music from a disc is called a "CD player," not a "boom box." And it is a very important device!
• When asking people to play the part of Adam and Eve, be sure to specify what they're wearing up front. =) (Which, by the way, is a tan tunic with tan pants or a tan skirt.)
• Having a former gymnast who can do handsprings is helpful when choreographing the fish in Creation. (Don't ask, just come and see!)
• When there's no one else around to video the dance for the girls to practice with, a 6-year old can run a camera just fine!
• Seeing everything come together, despite all the train wrecks in practice, sends chills down my spine.
• Hearing your sister say that she didn't like the song that much initially, but now she likes it because of the way the dance interprets it, is one of the highest praises.
• If this dance really does come together, all glory goes to the God who gave me the creativity, energy, peace, patience, and wisdom to choreograph and teach it. And to the God who took the little I could do and brought it all together.

The other day, I was listening to music for next semester and started thinking, "Whoa, I wonder what we'll be doing to this!" And then I realized... I very well may have to come up with what we're doing to that particular song! And if I don't, the other girls my age will! It will definitely be an adjustment to not have Anna here. But it will give us all the opportunity to grow. Choreography is fun, but sometimes stressful because there is a deadline... you can only teach what you've come up with so far, and the girls can't practice until they're taught. It's a privilege, but it comes with a risk. But God's grace is sufficient. Even when time is not.    

A New Year

A new year is in full swing. Dance classes started back on January 9th with some new students enrolled, bringing this semester's total to 84 girls. Eighty-four lives that I'm privileged to touch and work with on a weekly basis. The number can be daunting, but 7 of my oldest girls help out with various classes, making my job less stressful. As always, it's a joy to see my older students continuing to progress, and a joy to see the younger ones discovering more of ballet.

There are definite challenges, and tiring days full of details. First I mapped out the dates for the spring and get everything printed to hand out. Then, I ordered costumes ($2500 worth!), making sure I got everyone measured and sized correctly. Having the moms come in on the first day of class to measure helped this go quickly. Through it all, and even before classes started, I've been working on choreography. So far I have 9 full and 2 half songs choreographed, bringing me half-way to the 20 total song goal.

"Unchanging" is the theme of this spring's ballet presentation, set for May 11 & 12. We'll be celebrating our Savior and each song extols different attributes of God. From lace parasols to a dad & daughter dance, I'm excited at the diversity and sweetness this one will hold.

"Captive Faith" is, Lord willing, the summer musical I'll be directing. It's the story of Naaman, with a special focus on the Israelite slave girl that was captured and served his family. It's also one I'm writing, which was a step of faith in itself, with the busy days this semester holds. But, by God's grace, I was able to complete the first draft on January 7th, just in time before dance classes started back!

Things are finally settling into somewhat of a routine for dance, so I hope to start editing the script soon. It will be a long road of typing things in, editing, typing more, and editing again. But, it's always exciting to see a script take shape. A dear friend and student is composing music, as well as my talented brother-in-law (to share the work load), so I'm excited to see how the songs will turn out as well.

I'm not sure what this year will hold for The King's Courts, beyond the two planned productions, and even those are in God's hands - only through Him will they take shape. Of course, I already have ideas for next Christmas, but nothing concrete. :)

God continues to teach me to trust Him through each year, each semester, each production. There are new challenges, but He's always shown Himself so faithful.

I am battling some tiredness this month, as the workload continues to increase. So, I'm hoping to adjust to a good schedule, and take some time for personal projects and "down time" so as to not burn out on production work. God continues to give many opportunities, and I'm seeking Him for wisdom in how to face each one.

May God be glorified through The King's Courts in 2012!

Choreography Complete!

Yesterday I completed the choreography for "The Coming King!" With 5 weeks until the presentation, it's good timing, too! With 17 dances total, it has been a long but fun process.

My solo was the last one I choreographed. I am portraying Mary, and dancing to "You're Here" by Francesca Battistelli. Most of the song I have a baby doll in my arms, and it can be a challenge to try to bring to life the tender love of a mother for her new child, when the child is a stiff doll and you've never been a mother yourself.

I'm no stranger to dancing with baby dolls, though. The picture above is from 2009, when I portrayed the prophetess Anna, dancing with joy with the Savior in her arms.

God truly gave grace and creativity as my solo just flowed out. It's always amazing to see God work in bringing a new dance together. We serve an awesome King!

I must admit, though, at 21 it feels a bit strange to dance around the room with a baby doll, especially if a student or parent happens to be watching. :)

Now, to practice myself, oversee my student's practice, and continue to pray that God uses "The Coming King" for His glory!