New to tap? Or ready to take your skills to the next level? Well, LDP is here to help with a FREE Tap Dictionary...

It's hard to say when and where I truly feel in love with dance in general...

Was it when I performed at my first recital and was under the warm stage lights that it energized me so much that I keep feigning for that glow again? 

Was it when I got the opportunity to perform my first "touchy feely" lyrical dance in a green flowy chiffon dress and considered myself an "older girl" finally? 

Was it when I went to my first dance convention and unlocked some potential within me because I felt the need to stand out amongst the crowd and show exactly that I could do what they were trying to pull out of me?

I think it was early on... whenever that monumental event occurred in my timeline but I DO know exactly when I fell deeply and utterly in love with Tap Dancing. I was still in my tan Maryjane buckle shoes that fit a little too good, you know.  But in class, it was the year we started learning wings and pullbacks and starting playing with rhythms and manipulating the way certain steps were performed.  You could double and triple your time-steps?  You could drawback in place? You could bomershay backwards?  WAAAAAAAIT... WHAAAAAAT?!?!  When I found out all the crazy ways you can play with tap it became an instant obsession.  It didn't come natural to me (on the other hand, I was busy killing it with my sassy faces in hip hop and jazz walking my life away because I knew those were my strongest assets) and sometimes still doesn't.  But it's like a puzzle I can't put down.  I can't forget about a tap step, or rhythm, or tap drill until I have it.  I've always been that way. 

So many dancers I have say "I love ______________________, but I'm just not good at it".  You can insert whatever dance style you choose into the blank.  At that point, I tell them, I wasn't great at tap dancing.  I don't consider myself an expert in any genre of dance though, because I know dance is always changing and evolving and that's why even I, myself, continue my dance education so I can stay on top of things and learn new ways to teach my own students. 

It's no secret I love to tap and I love to teach and I love technique.  We just finished up our Tap Workshop for the summer and it was a success!  Our tap company has grown, my mom came and taught which was a delight for the students, and we started some routines that are going to be showstoppers! But I wanted to give something to my students for them to remember the steps and the correct way to practice them so I created a tap dictionary for them to use a reference guide, specifically with the steps we did this past week.  And I want to make it available to you.

Why? Because I fear so many dancers think tap is "too hard" or they don't know the terminology or they think it's too late to start or some other reason that makes them miss out on the joy of tapping.  Please download this guide and start learning or practicing tap today so you won't miss one more minute without it!  And if you need some assistance deciphering the terminology, we're here to help.  Signing up for a tap class is the best way to jump on in and we hope you'll consider that option. 

Thanks for reading and downloading!

Until next time,

Megan

LDP

**PS the website will ask for your Credit Card info... you don't need to put it in :)  Just your email so we know where to send your dictionary and your billing address.  Thanks it. Enjoy!

#dancelife is my life and it's awesome

It's my birthday! Waaahooo and I'll give you three guesses as to what I'll be doing at some point today... You'd be right if you said

1. Eating sushi

2. Catching up on some of my DVR shows

aaaand...

3. DANCING, TEACHING, AND CHOREOGRAPHING!

As far back as I can remember, I've looooved the #dancelife.  And for more reasons I can probably count.  As we grow, the things we hold near and dear to our hearts take on a new role or new meaning in our life.  Dance was fun and cool in the beginning then it was interesting and let me be self-expressive.  There were times when it was a challenge and inspiring but was always my most reliable outlet and tool.  Tool? Yes. I often say the most important lesson you learn when you are dedicated to dance isn't dance steps at all but rather they are life skills.  Here are the lessons I consider that the #dancelife has taught me:

1.  NO ONE CARES. haha. Inspiring right?  As a tween and teenager, I think there is a lot that your peers judge you on... your clothes, what brand they are, what you drive, what part of the neighborhood you live in, what your parents do for a living, so on and so forth.  I loved being in an activity where none of that really mattered.  My dance teacher never cared about those things nor did my dance mates.  And ultimately I learned whatever I considered a "disadvantage" in life didn't really have room to fit in my dance bag with me.  As I got older, I realized the ONLY things that were going to help me excel in dance (or whatever my personal goal is at the time) was my focus during my classes and leaving whatever drama I had going on elsewhere outside the studio.  I think that can be applied everyday.  Most of the things we complain about or let ruin our day don't have a whole lot of merit in the big picture of things.

2. IF IT'S WORTH DOING... DO IT BIG.  There was many times in my life when I was lukewarm about something.  Sorta' there, sorta not.  A tale as old as time with any tweenager right?  But as a dancer, once I realized, "Ok, this is what I want", nothing or nobody could stop me.  I was determined to win convention scholarships.  Did I receive them all? No.  Did I get some? Yes.  I was determined to place in overalls with my solos.  Did that happen every competition? No.  Did it happen sometimes? Yes.  I was determined to dance on the ECU Dance Team and Major in Dance Performance.  Was it easy? Never. Was it worth it? Definitely.  My point is this... I applied the "go big or go home" aspect in all areas in my life and as an adult I landed jobs more, reached goals, and use my time wisely.  And I always find even if things didn't work out my way, the work I put in was awesome.  I learned something.  I was better prepared for my next goal.  I learned how to humbly accept defeat and graciously accept earned rewards. 

3. BEING FLEXIBLE.  Ok, not what you think.  Metaphorically speaking, I think dancers are the most flexible, pliable people ever.  To live out the dream to perform on stage is a wonderful one but it's not always smooth sailing.   There are have been times when I was staring a a 12 by 12 platform stage trying to figure out how this was going to work.  There have been times when the power has went out in the middle of a performance but the show must go on so it did.  There were times when the music didn't start till 3 counts of 8 into a song and yet everything went off without a hitch.  I remember finishing school projects in the nick of time because I had been at dance all week.  Dance helps you think fast on your toes (the pun is intended haha).  And as a dance instructor, I think I make more split decisions to benefit a child's dance experience and education than a brain surgeon.  Ok that might be an exaggeration.

4. IT'S OK TO GET MAD.  Do it.  Get mad.  Get mad with yourself for not being able to do a move.  Get mad that you had wanted to be in the front and center but instead you are in the back corner (been there, done that!)  Get mad!  Then use that as motivation, not a crutch.  My students always know what I ask them when they get off stage and I can always tell on their face if they are happy with their performance.  Case Study #211 haha.  I have a student that is a beautiful dancer... elegant, poised, always keeps her cool... At the first competition of last year, she wasn't up to par.  And she knew it.  Her turns were wobbly, her tricks weren't on solid ground, and half way through I could see it in her confidence that she had thrown in the towel.  After she took her halfhearted bow she went off stage, eyes glaring at the floor, walked right past me and I knew to just leave her alone.  She was beyond mad.  She was disappointed in herself because she knew what she was really capable of doing.  She came back dressed in her 2nd costume for her tap solo.  I asked if she was ok and she responded with a quick and sharp yea.  I then asked "Are you mad?".  She then said "YES, I am mad.  Did you see that? Ugh" with such disgust.  I said "Then use that! Go and redeem yourself".  She was 2nd overall with her tap solo.  And you best bet if she ever felt like that after a test, a breakup, or any disappointing situation... she will pick herself up with the same gumption and remember that feeling.

5. DOING WHAT YOU LOVE, DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN YOU'LL LOVE DOING IT.  Say wha? Do me a favor and ask your dancer, "Raise your hand if you like ballet class?".  Did you see how that hand never moved? haha As a dance instructor, I am always going to say that ballet is the foundation of all dance and that will help you grow as a dancer 10 fold.  As a dance studio owner, do I like doing the books?  Nope.  But I do it because it helps me do what I love!  I love my 2 year old to the moon and back.  Do I like it when she's throwing a fit in the middle of the grocery store because she can't eat cookies right then.  Nope.  I hear a lot of dancers moan and groan at the aspect of improv, or ballet, or core work, or floor work, or partnering work (do you see a pattern of work being a key word haha) but I'm here to tell you, you don't have to like what you are doing right now, just do it, because I promise it will help you to do what you love later.  Enjoy it.

I hope you've enjoyed this read and let me know what #dancelifelessons have stuck with you. 

Until next time

Megan

PS just for fun... this was our first mannequin challenge at the studio...