Sword!

You know how sometimes people choose a single word to describe the year ahead of them? Is June too late to choose your word? Because I’m realizing that my word for 2015 is growth. I’ve made a semi-conscious decision to force myself to grow as a dancer, and do things I wouldn’t normally do.

I’m working on three of those things right now. First, although I’ve danced with a sword in a group setting, I’ve never done a sword solo, so I’m doing one tonight at Open Stage. It was a pretty spontaneous decision a few days ago, so it’s not going to be a very fancy solo, but I felt like it was time to do it. My other two things are entwined as one. I’m taking private Skype lessons with Amanda Rose to develop a drum solo choreography. It’s a two-fer because I’ve never choreographed anything, and I’ve never performed a drum solo by myself either. In fact, until last month’s Open Stage I’d never done a drum solo at all, but Ashley and I did a short duet to a drum solo.

I felt like I needed to do these things because they’re all good skills for a dancer to have, especially if I want to be a professional. Sword is, admittedly, not my favorite prop. I prefer things made of silk! But many audiences enjoy it so it’s important for me to be well-versed in it. Drum solos are also a huge crowd-pleaser, and they’re highly technical so it’s a good way to check in on my skills and see what needs worked out. And while I could probably get by without knowing how to choreograph, I feel like I should be contributing material to Fire & Gold’s repertoire. Plus if I ever want to teach, it will be good to know how to construct choreography for my students.

So that’s what I’m up to this month. Growth and change and hard work!