Me and my older sister, Leah, at home before leaving for my very first dance lesson circa 1999 One thing that you have to get used to when you're a dance major is the stereotypes that come along with it. I can't tell you how many times in the past year I've told people my major and they've given one of these responses:
"That's a thing?" "You must be really good! Are you gonna be a professional dancer?" "How are you going to make any money with that degree?" While I understand that dance isn't a traditional major (and isn't offered at most schools), it is very important for me to study dance because I want to teach it. I could go on for hours about how valuable a degree in dance is, but I think it's more important to talk about why I'm putting myself through the countless hours I spend in the studio...and the ones in the classroom (because, believe it or not, dance is also an ACADEMIC subject!). Dance teachers fall into their jobs for many different reasons. Many dance teachers were professional dancers who have reached their peak and have decided to teach for the rest of the career. Some might balance both a professional and teaching career in dance, and some dance teachers are former dance students who go back to their studio and teach on the side just because it's fun and they love it. But there are some dance teachers who have known they want to teach (and do nothing else) all along. One of the many questions I get asked is if I want to be a professional dancer, and if not why. While being a professional ballet dancer was probably never in the cards for me, I think I have a calling to teach regardless. I have always found it more rewarding to help others. From a young age I was the "mom" of my group of dance friends and I'd always pack for shows keeping everyone's need in mind (Did I need hairspray, nail polish remover, extra tights, or Q-tips? Probably not, but someone always did). I was also recently given the opportunity to choreograph a number with the musical theatre group I used to perform with, and I honestly felt it was more rewarding to sit in the audience and watch how far my dancers had come instead of choreograph numbers for myself to perform in. Performing will always give me a rush and I have no intention of giving it up anytime soon, but I realize that my life will be more fulfilling if I dedicate it to giving others the gift of a dance education. Dance has taught me so many important life lessons, given me my best memories, and has consistently been the most beautiful thing in my life, and it would be an honor to pass all of that on to someone else. I want to create my owner little corner of the dance world where students can turn into stars, achieve their dreams, and find their own passion for dance. The art of dance (especially ballet) is often overlooked, so I think it's important to pass on this art form so others can experience it and let it be the most beautiful thing in their lives. Dance is a great form of self expression and I don't know where I'd be without it. When people tell me that I'm not going to make any money, I usually just laugh and say that I'd rather be broke and living out my purpose in life than have a "more stable" job and sit behind a desk all day and not do what I always wanted to. I would see people succeeding in the career that I always wanted to wonder why I was too scared to do it. I think life has a way of working itself out if you're really doing what you're supposed to be. I have faith that if I embark on this journey I'll somehow end up in a good place. If anyone can pull this off, it sure as hell is me. Am I probably going to work multiple jobs and struggle to stay afloat and sacrifice a lot of things? Of course I am. But all I want is to see my future students shine and know that I helped them become the best dancers they can be and- more importantly- helped them find the love of the art form that I have been in love with since I was a child. This is what I want, this is what I have always wanted, and this is what I am going to work for until I've made it happen.
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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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