“I just want to dance again.”

The story, the motive, and the reason behind Virtuosity Dance

After I graduated from high school, I found myself saying the words, “I just want to dance again.” The day-to-day dancing in the studio life was over. The competitions were over. All I had left was focusing on my education and future career. I didn’t feel that I could make the time to find a class or intensive to take… however without dance, I felt that my life was not exactly where I wanted it.

 

When I arrived at Marquette University, I spent a year trying to get myself adjusted to college-life, and dance went on the back burner.  I met other dancers at Marquette that felt the same way, and they too said the words, “I just want to dance again.”

 

Dance has this stigma about it that its either you either move to New york or Los Angeles and pursue dance for the rest of your life, or you hang up your dance shoes because you want to pursue another passion that will give you a different type of professional full-time career. Despite how harsh this sounds, that is stupid.

 

Some of the wisest people I know recognize the beauty of dance and the flexibility it can hold in your life. If dance is something that is engrained in your heart, the moments you are dancing are some of the happiest and most special times in your life. Those moments can remain in your life forever, even after you start a full-time career doing what you are ALSO passionate about.

 

So…I created Virtuosity Dance. I meshed together my passion for marketing and entrepreneurship and my love of dance into something that can not only help my friends and I, but the dance community around me. The company will give dancers who have said the words, “I just want to dance again” the chance to… dance again. Virtuosity Dance provides dancers with the opportunity to register for classes, events, and intensive programs to learn more about dance beyond their current knowledge. Classes include not only training class in styles such as Contemporary or Hip-Hop, but also classes in fitness, choreography, and improvisation. These classes will be at an intermediate to advanced level; challenging dancers to look at dance in a new perspective and to see what else the dance world has in store for them.

 

Virtuosity means, “to master an art form,” and I firmly believe that dancers can learn to master dance throughout their entire life. It is unnecessary to let go of one passion to pursue another. I took many scary and difficult steps towards opening up my own business to finally show the world what Virtuosity Dance has to offer, and I hope that dancers everywhere can see that they too can challenge themselves to master their art form throughout the course of their lives and chosen careers.

 

~ Gina

http://www.parentigina.wix.com/virtuositydance

A Dancer’s Definition of “Rut”

The official definition of a rut in the dictionary is, “a habit or pattern that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change.”

In my opinion, a dancer’s definition of a rut is, “a time when there is lack of inspiration and motivation in movement and/or the creative process, and it is hard to change.”

I am convinced that dancers have ruts, because it is a test.

Dance is a study that needs constant drive and determination. The dancers that can remove themselves out of the quick sand of being unmotivated are the artists that have the passion and courage to succeed. They pass the test.

So how great of a feeling would it be if you were one of those dancers that got themselves on their feet and experienced what the dance world has to offer.

You caught me; I just got out of a rut. But here is a list of “To Do’s” when you find yourself thinking, “Maybe I should just nix the dance thing.”

1. Take Class. Go learn something new from someone new. Maybe try a new style of dance. Have you ever tried a form of international dance? Tap? Maybe you’ve never tried ballet. Go for it.
2. Practice Yoga. Get in touch with your body. Find what is right for your joints and muscles, so that when you turn to your personal dance movement, you are not inhibited.
3. Reflect on what dance means to you. Reflect on your progress. Putting words to the artistic madness in your head will be a learning experience.
4. Watch dance. Get inspired. Find videos on the Internet, go to live performances, or sit in on a local dance class. The talent that is around the world is truly incredible. We are not the only dancers in the world, and we all own something special. Go find what makes another dancer special, and let it inspire you.
5. Be open. Do not put a deadline on your next booking, accomplishment, choreography, artistic piece, etc. Keep your mind and heart open, because that is where the true beauty will be created.

So don’t give up! The dance world needs you.