Dancin

Late Winter and all into Spring, Amara spent Wed afternoons at a Tap/Jazz class. As always, I follow the kids lead. Amara had asked to join a dance class and so we signed up with a school in Hercules.  

Each week, she learned some moves in preparation for a dance show in June. When she started, Amara was gung ho about the class ; she would practice at home, putting on a weekly evening show for us.  She loved her tap shoes and she could be seen moving through the house, the kindle playing music in the background.

Amara was even more thrilled for the Madonna style custom costume she got to wear for the big recital (she had not idea who Madonna was, however) that the teacher was having them work towards. And while Amara was happy to have participated in learning to dance for a performance, it got repetitive only learning one dance. Amara wanted to learn more moves. As a parent, who spent money and lots of time and driving energy to/from class, I felt they could have done more overall learning and then time focused on their performance. Being the assertive communicator I am, I shared this information with the school at the end. Amara's teacher (who we loved and was on point as teacher) thought Amara was the ideal student. She could tell Amara practiced weekly and I am sure she would have liked to seen her continue on. I am hopeful that my feedback may encourage a shift in teaching dance vs. teaching dance to do only a performance, if that makes sense.

Still, Amara was excited and anxious about the Big Dance Day; her nerves got the best of her prior but once she got down to rehearsal (and had lunch!), she was on point. Amara only had one number to do but being on a big stage in front of an auditorium would be hard for even a seasoned performer. Amara did awesome and we were all so proud of. To make it even better, Nana was visiting so she got to join us and it was Don and I's 10th wedding anniversary. It was a perfect way to spend it; watching our shining pearl dance away.