When we're kids, our parental figures made us go to dance class. I was woken up on Saturday mornings, had my hair whipped up into a bun, and driven to dance class. Being forced to go to dance class every Saturday morning was my first sense of commitment. One time during a family weekend getaway vacation to Maine, my mother made the hour drive home for the day just so my sister and I could go to dance class. I learned that when you participate in something, attendance is not optional. While this might seem like I was "forced" to dance, my parents wouldn't have made me dance if I didn't want to. And if I had been allowed to sit home and watch Lizzie McGuire on Saturday mornings instead of go to dance class, I wouldn't know what it means to be dedicated to something AND I would be way behind on my dance education. This early sense of dedication to dance stuck with me through my grade school days. Now that I am out of high school and in my young adult years (yea, I don't believe I'm a legal adult, either), dance class is not an obligation for me. I no longer dance at a full time studio, so the only time I'm expected to go to technique class is when I'm at school (as a dance major, it is essential that you show up to class, just like you would any other subject). During the summer, dance is completely optional. No one is shutting the TV off and forcing me to go to class. I don't have any grades depending on my attendance. I don't have any rehearsals that I need to be at. I could sit home and watch as many episodes of Keeping up with the Kardashians as I want! If my friends want to hang out, I don't have to use class as an excuse to not go. I can sleep in and stay out as late as I want; it's not like I have dance in the morning! I'm at the point in my life where someone might ask me why I am going to dance class. Going to dance class has become MY choice. I'm not influenced by a parent or a professor to go to class this week. But as a ballet dancer, it still feels weird to go weeks on end without class. Why? The answer is simple: I WANT to go to class. Does that sound crazy? My classmates are probably rolling their eyes at me as they read this, wondering why I don't just enjoy my summer off and go back to class in the Fall like a normal person. I guess it's a bold statement to come out and say that I actually enjoy ballet class. I'm the kind of kid who doesn't want class to ever be cancelled. Are there days when I'm tired, feeling lazy, or have better things to do? Of course there are. But that doesn't mean I don't want to improve my technique, strengthen my muscles, practice learning combinations, or simply feel the joy of taking class. There is no better feeling in the world than dancing, so why would I pass up the opportunity to dance a few nights a week? I encourage all dancers to stay in class year round. Even if it's just for a few weeks over the summer, you can only benefit from taking more classes. Summer is a perfect time to go to workshops and intensives and take classes with teachers you normally wouldn't have time to. Summer is also a great time to land that triple pirouette you've been dying to master or stretch out your muscles for a better grande jeté. Instead of wearing yourself out at the gym, why not wear yourself out at ballet class? If you love dance and want to be the best dancer you can be, staying in class is SO important. Plus, who doesn't want to be in the best shape possible for Nutcracker season? Casey Myer Photography
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AuthorWelcome to my blog! Popular PostsArchives
September 2020
Offline Updates7/16 Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the showcase I was selected to choreograph for at NYU was unfortunately cancelled. However, I was able to turn my work into a mini-documentary about the choreographic process and art prevailing during these trying times. You can watch my video my clicking the button below!
9/18 Follow my new Instagram just for my dance things!
12/23 I was one of NDEO's Guest Bloggers this year! Read "Teaching is a Vocation. Not a Fallback" on their Behind the Curtain Blog!
9/27 I will be presenting my research at the National Dance Education Organization National Conference next week! See my research project by clicking the button below!
4/15 While working on PMA's production of The Addams Family, I got to combine my two favorite styles of dance (ballet and musical theatre) for "The Moon and Me"! Watch my talented students dance by clicking the button below!
2/20 I am choreographing PMA Theatre Guild's Production of The Addams Family! Come see these amazing high school students perform at Presentation of Mary Academy in Methuen, MA April 13 & 14! Tickets available at the door.
2/20 I am stage managing BSU's Dance Kaleidoscope this year! Show dates are March 29-31 at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA. Come see this student choreography showcase!
11/5 I will once again be dancing in a BSUDC concert! Tickets to WinterDance are now available!
8/24 NDEO's National Honor Society for Dance Arts has published one of my articles in their newsletter! Read an updated version of "Audition Advice" here:
5/16 Interested in learning about movement concepts? Visit Becca's new Educational Dance website!
5/8 BSU Dance Company's Dance Kaleidoscope 2017 is now on Youtube! You can watch my performances by visiting the VIDEOS page!
4/23 I recently performed for the residents of Allerton House in Hingham, MA! You can watch part of my performance here!
Amesbury Children's Theatre presents...James and the Giant Peach Jr, featuring choreography by me! Click for tickets!
2/8 My piece "Barefoot" is now available to watch online! Click to watch!
2/5 Happy to say I have been cast in BSU Dance Company's Spring concert Dance Kaleidoscope! I will be dancing in 3 faculty choreographed pieces, including excerpts from The Sleeping Beauty in which I will be dancing the role of Lilac Fairy! Show dates are March 31-April 1 at Bridgewater State University.
Click the button for more info! 1/15 Ballet with Becca is now on Facebook! Click to visit the page, and be sure to like it while you're there!
1/14 I am happy to say I will be attending artEmotion's summer intensive in June! I will be dancing in the one week artEmotion Adult Program. If anyone would like to join or audition for any other artEmotion program, visit their website!
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