The Intermediate Hump

The Intermediate Hump: This is what I call the phase that all dance students go through. They have mastered all the basics and many of the more advanced ideas and concepts, but there is still something missing. They are "stuck" and their dance doesn't seem to be improving.

It's a very frustrating phase and one that every student hits, myself including. I remember it well - even though it's been over 15 years ago! I've seen all of my advanced students go through it (and personally I don't consider you an advanced student until you have successfully made it over this hump - no matter how much technique you know!). I've watched other dancers in the community go through it. Each one deals with it differently.

Some quit. That's it, they can't wait for this nebulous phase to pass. Others keep doing what they have been doing and just hang out at the hump and never make it over because they eventually give up and quit. Those who hang in there and don't quit eventually make it over the hump.

What is so frustrating is that this is an individual process. I, as your teacher, can make many suggestions, but there is no one thing that works for everyone. This hump is as individual as you are! There isn't a "do this" check box that will get you over the hump and there is no short fix. This is where you decide who you are as a dancer, what you value, what you want and what drives you. It's where YOU take charge of your dance and you become a partner in your dance education. It's not that you will never again need to take class or learn new technique (as a matter of fact you may still need to learn lots of technique). But it is where you start evaluating your path as a dancer and begin to think outside the student box and make decisions based on your individual path as an artist.

I read a most wonderful blog today on finding yourself as a dance artist. She said it really well and while all dancers need to do this, the dancer stuck on the intermediate hump needs it most of all!

Think outside your box! Go to the library and check out Orientalist painting books - not because they are accurate, but because they can inspire you! Take a Flamenco class or a folk dance class. Sit in on a Persian music concert. Spend time reading on the history of the region and culture. Start collecting beautiful textiles from the region. STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR BOX!!!! Don't think that taking another technique class will do it all by itself. This is about you finding yourself as a dancer - not about learning someones technique or a new choreography.

As your teacher, I want you to grow. If you are growing with me, then I'm thrilled. If you need to be elsewhere to grow - GO THERE! I'm so thrilled when you return and I'm just as thrilled if you discover that your dance path is Flamenco and you never return! As your teacher, I want you to grow into the beautiful amazing dancer that I know you can be - whether you ever dance professionally or not. This isn't about how much money you make - it's about soul and art!

Fly Baby Dancers! Fly!

Wise Woman Retreat

I spent the weekend of August 3-7th in Albuquerque, NM at Amaya's Wise Woman Retreat. I'd first heard of the retreat some years ago and it just seemed that I could never get the time and the money in the same year in order to attend. This year it worked out magically and I found myself half a continent away from home with a room full of strangers having one of the best weekends of my dance life!

The weekend is designed to bring together dancers who are ready to venture into the professional arena or professionals looking to bump up their game. It's also designed to give dancers an opportunity to form relationships with other women who are dancers in a peer group. All too often we are all busy teaching and performing - but how often do we get to spend a weekend talking about our dance love in a stress free environment with others who love dance as much as we do?

There were women from all over the world there. The guest instructor was from Canada, several ladies from the local area and several from Texas. One from New Orleans and one from the Washington, DC area, one from Sweden, one from Kansas, one from Germany, and then myself. A total of 15 women - the max Amaya allows to attend. Her husband was kind enough to help in shuttling folks around, but otherwise it was just us ladies. The weather was great and we were off and running......

Wednesday evening was the orientation dinner, Thursday was a trip to the Pueblo to see the annual Corn Dance ceremony. It's a religious ritual and so while spectators are allowed, no image reproduction of any kind - including sketch books is allowed. We watched one visitor ignore the rule and the Reservation Police took her camera and deleted her pictures and escorted her off the reservation. This isn't a performance and it's a shame that not everyone could respect that. I've a history of attending Native American Pow Wow's on the east coast, but this was the first Southwestern event of any kind that I'd been too. It was not a Pow Wow and that changed everything. A truly special event and I'm glad I was able to attend.

Friday began the first day of dance classes and they were taught at a higher level - no beginner stuff here and it was nice to take class at my level of experience. It was also nice to take a dance class and not a drill you till you drop class. Don't get me wrong - drill are very important to dancers to achieve and maintain a certain level of technique. But drills aren't dancing! So I just love it when I get to take dance classes that allow me to dance. For two days we took dance class. We worked hard in class, but had nice built in breaks so that it wasn't stressful or too much. I was able to learn so much in this environment. Luscious!

Friday night we had the treat of attending a local dance show where Mardi Love and Amaya were performing. I've never seen a dance show in another region of the country and it's really nice to see how the dance community dynamics are different in different areas. I enjoyed the performances that night.

Saturday night was our own private Wise Woman Hafla and we all danced for each other. It was great fun to see everyone perform after getting to know them over the weekend. Afterwards we ended our weekend with a talking circle where lots of important sharing went on.

I flew out at the crack of dawn and in the process lost my cell phone at the airport. Low and behold someone found it in the middle of the road and mailed it back to me! I'd recommend a visit to Albuquerque any time!

I spend my days busy - running too and fro taking care of things that have to get done and doing things I love, but it is really nice to step away from it all, recharge and relax. We always tell ourselves we dont' have the money or the time to do this, but don't believe it! Find a way to be present in the moment and rejuvenate. Find a way small or large and come back refreshed and ready to take on your life and accomplish more! You can not feed people with an empty pot. You may be standing there and scooping out air, but it's not nourishing nor is it good for them!

Until Next Time,

Halleyah :)

Persian and Live Music!

Wow - so here is my annual report on things! I've got to find time to pop in here more often! :)

Another busy year and this time Student Recitals are done and went off beautifully! Both schools did amazing jobs and I'm so proud of my hardworking students!

This past weekend I had the blessed opportunity to dance at TribalCarnivale (http://www.awalim.com/awalim-brings-live-music-atlanta/) with live music! I started my dance with live music and when I began teaching and performing in the Atlanta area, I did not have access to much live music and so over the past 10 years I've come to rely on recordings. I've very grateful to all the artists who provide those recordings, but nothing tops dancing to live music! I had forgotten how much that changes things and how much it touches my soul to dance that way! All of my nervousness disappears and I float on the notes and drum beats in my own personal heaven! So I was thrilled when Majda of Awalim contacted me to be a part of this very special show. My undying thanks to Ziah and Majda for bringing this awesomeness to Atlanta!

Several of my students (Arra, Heather, Luaxanna and Marie) danced with me in our first full improv ATS piece which was just loads of fun! They did wonderfully and I had a blast. Then it was off to change for Persian.

I spent 20 years in the SCA (www.sca.org) learning, researching, publishing and performing Classical Persian dance from the 16th Century Safavid Court. It is a long time passion of mine and it's been almost 5 years since I've performed a Persian piece. It was like coming home! While I added some Qajar styling to what I performed on Saturday night, it was just beautiful to float on the awesome ney and frame drum and DANCE! I probably stopped too soon, but I got lost and couldn't tell how long I'd been dancing - not nice to hog the stage ya know! ;)

This experience has reaffirmed an old love and brought it back into my life. Persian is a beautifully flowing and graceful dance - even the modern pop dance flows! Classical always makes me feel like a fairy princess! I'm a bit past the princess stage of life - so let's go with Fairy Queen!

I'm grateful to Ziah, Majda, all the musicians, and my many Persian teachers and inspirations for Saturday! Thank you all! I'm also grateful to my students and friends who showed up in force (we filled up 4 tables of people!) to support my work and their fellow dance sisters. You should all look for Persian to show up more often!

~Halleyah, still blissed out