When I'm not sleeping (which is still much of the daytime to make up for the nighttime) I'm busy chasing Erin around. I would say my teens but so far Audrey is content to chase Erin too. This weekend we followed her to Bend so we could join the seniors who would be enjoying her recital. Erin belongs to a dance company that practices through the school year to perform for retirement homes. They know where to find an appreciative audience.
Years ago we had a decision to make. We have a very professional dance company here in town and all 3 of the girls started dancing there when they were 3 or 4. The recitals are fabulous affairs with elaborate, expensive (I know, because I had to purchase them) costumes. The real problem that my husband and I had wasn't so much the expense but the realization that came while sitting through the recitals. The hours long program began with the cute little ballerinas and tap dancers awkwardly stumbling through their series of steps while sucking on their fingers, sticking out their tongues or waving at the audience, much to the delight of all. They danced to Shirley Temple ditties and the ever popular;
You know what? You know what?
I go to dancing school.
You know what? You know what?
I'm learning every rule.
Stand up straight, concentrate, don't chew gum and don't be late.
You know what? You know what?
I love my dancing school!
As they got older the dancers really showed progress. There were no more tongues or waves and the steps were more precise. Unfortunately gone too were the cute little ditties, and the songs (and costumes) became more and more suggestive. Not all of them, but many of them and you don't get to choose what your child performs (or wears). By the time each of the girls were 7 we made the decision to look for an alternative. There were years with no dancing and then several years with a young teacher in Redmond. When she got married and moved away we were once again in a quandary. A few years ago Ann began teaching in Bend but also opened up her home to the few older dancers that lived near her. Both Erin and Audrey danced with her for a couple of years. Then both took a couple of years off and just Erin decided to dance again this year. The price is very reasonable and we don't pay anything beyond the monthly lessons. The girls perform to praise songs for people who are thankful for the gift that the girls offer in their performance. Ann is a gifted dancer and her heart for the Lord is what keeps us there. The dancing is a ministry, not a showgirl extravaganza and it suits us better.
Blessings, Debbie
How wonderful to find the perfect dance school for Erin. I miss those times of dance, especially when my daughter was so little. I still have here first pair of ballet shoes in my cedar chest!
ReplyDeleteFirst, I love the idea of turning a dance program into something really productive and glorifying instead of putting all the instruction time (and money) into a big and expensive "show" at the end. I well remember sitting through the long, long recitals.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I agree about the suggestive part. I once saw the daughter of a local dance teacher (not the one our daughters used) dance a dance so provacative that the men around were clearing their throats uncomfortably. She was about 16 at the time. It wasn't jazz or anything but actually a ballet with sort of an Arabian flair. All I could think of was Salome. It was horrible. Sadly, the girl was actually talented. How her OWN MOTHER could pimp her out like that still boggles my mind. (But then, isn't that part and parcel of the whole Herodias/Salome story?)
Your daughter is a beautiful "bun head".
I applaud you for making the decision, Debbie. I'm shocked when I see how tarted up some of the even little girls are now days. I'm glad your girls found the right kind of instructor. Dance is one of those things that stays with you forever. I still do demi and grand plies. Works great at keeping the muscles strong around old arthritic knees!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you found a teacher like that. My girls were dancing with a young woman from our school who included costumes (modest) in the cost, they songs are Christian, and besides a recital (at your church) they would dance at nursing homes.
ReplyDeleteShe got married and moved away. :(
I am happy for you guys that you can do this. The girls still periodically ask about dance. I wish Krystal would move back. :(
What a beautiful reason to dance. I just posted about the spring recital here in my small town, too. There was rather more glitz than I need, but the girls still seemed innocent enough to me and thrilled and proud. Our dance instructor shares her girls with whoever needs some entertainment throughout the year...they dance at street fairs, health fairs and such....they bring joy.
ReplyDeleteGlad your girls found places to dance, too.
Hi friend! I quite agree! My little granddaughter dances in a Christian group and the recital was ever so uplifting. Two other granddaughters are still in the adorable tutu stage and our daughter agrees that soon it will be time to move to classical ballet and pass on all the behind-wiggling, hip gyration "dance" forever. Erin is lovely, lovely, lovely!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for Erin that she can continue to dance and give glory to God at the same time! She beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDeanna
Like Tracey, I have my daughter's first pair of ballet slippers too. I did not like the price of the outfits and boy the photo sessions were expensive as well. Lucky for me my daughter wanted to desperately quite at the age of eight. She then switched to piano. Your post brought back so many memories, thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt appears that you made the beautiful choice.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great program and choice for your daughter. A friend's daughter had her rehearsal for her recital and recital this week. She is just four. She came from the rehearsal straight to our house for dinner. She was covered in makeup. Not stage makeup to be able to see her features better, but glittery makeup like an adult might wear to go to a club. I decided right then not to take my daughters to her recital because I would not be letting them take lessons from this studio and did not want them to get excited and disappointed. I am glad to see that somewhere there are girls getting to learn dance without all the rest that dance studios seem to want to promote.
ReplyDeleteSounds PERFECT. The fashions which little girls are wearing - what a thoughtless, mindless society we're in the midst of.
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful girls! Your photos turned out very sweet and wonderful! I think it is even more wonderful that they perform for an appreciative audience!! :) I think you made a wise choice for your girls and family. What a blessing they must be to everyone that has the opportunity to watch them dance.
My younger sister has daughters that have performed in ice skating for years. She started making their own dresses due to the cost. Now she does that as a home business (while her oldest daughter still skates). It is quite an expensive sport to participate in. Caroline (my niece) loves it. It has been so fun to watch her perform, when we have had the chance. They have lived on the East Coast, so we haven't been able to see a lot. It is amazing what the cost of dresses for performing can be!!
Happy Monday!!
xoxo...Gloria
When I was in my young teens I took a class in a woman's home as well. It was to praise music too, and it was so much more comfortable than a large class where I had to shake my butt. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to have someone reasonably local with whom your daughters can delight in dancing. My AnnaLynn dreams of ballet, yet for the same reasons as you, she's been a one-girl show for us here at home. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings, ~Lisa
I think that was nice to dance to the glory of God rather than for the approval of men.
ReplyDeleteThey looks very nice and I would say that is such a blessing too. Good job Momma.
Isn't it terrible the songs/costumes they chose for the little girls?! That's one of the reasons Ella is in highland, though this dance school does 'choreography' for the recital instead of proper highland dances. I'm going to look into a couple of the other dance schools around and see if I can find a dance school that actually teaches the highland dances to their dancers.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a beautiful recital. Ella's recital was on Saturday, what a zoo. I wish they would have all the little people in the first half and then let them go home at intermission. 4.5 hours stuck in a gymnasium when you are under 8 is a long time.
Erin looks lovely...and it appears that she is having a lovely time too! What a blessing to have a God-glorifying dance class available!
ReplyDelete(I have missed you here, friend...of course. I understand "busy" all too well. I'm afraid it's going to be a short summer this year!)
{{Hugs}}...until next time...
This dancer...although my dancing years are behind me, well in front of people, and so are the years of teaching dance...I just loves this post and so understands it. My only daughter played softball, so I never had the joy of seeing a girl dance. My daughter-in-law however is a classical ballerina, but I have never seen her dance...maybe grand daughters one day
ReplyDeleteIsn't God good to provide this opportunities?
I remember my oldest four and never having time to even think...now I have time, it feels funny not to be in the car all the time...how fast things change.
Glad that you found a creative outlet in a way that is honoring to the Lord. Perhaps this will be a future career opportunity for your daughter - opening a dance school/troupe that celebrates dance in a good way and not suggestive way. Sounds like there might be a market for it.
ReplyDeleteI love the thought of dancing for the elderly in retirement homes....and I love the costumes! We are in the same situation in our town with dance and for the first time this year my youngest tried dance and loved it...then the recital came and she brought home the costumes. I was horrified and she even asked me not to bring anyone to the recital becuase of them. They do a great job of teaching children to dance so why do they have to dress them inappropriately. You found a good way to solve a tough delimma. I also love the way you photographed the dancing scenes...so pretty...makes me feel like I was there! You are quite good at photography!
ReplyDelete