Last year at Hollywood Vibe Nationals, Lucas was selected for Vibe Company. For the 2023-2024 season he would have the opportunity to assist the faculty at three regional conventions, work with a mentor and participate in other projects to broaden his growth and skills as a dancer. We have attended two regionals and the third, and last, was Norfolk, our team event.
Tagged: Penny, dance, Lucas, competition, Hollywood Vibe, convention, Vibe Company
Every time they take the stage I appreciate where they were yesterday, how they are today and what might be possible for tomorrow. I see potential, nerves, hard work, frustration, delight. I see Penny pushing herself in her solo and owning that stage, alone. I see Oliver overcome what were paralyzing nerves nine months ago to have fun and let his personality come through in his performance. I see their release of endorphins as they come off the stage, chatting with their friends, and giving me the biggest hugs. I see their bonds with their teammates as they recall every moment of the routine and I see them doing something that is hard but giving them so much joy and fulfillment. I see them making lifelong memories. 
What does a 17 year old wish for when more years lie ahead than they can comprehend? When potential and opportunity are things they hear daily that they have to maximize. When they are told to dream big, seize the day and anything is possible. How does a 17 year old hold all these ideas and ideals, hold their dreams and those of their parents and plan for a future that is seemingly limitless? What does a 17 year old wish for when every wish counts?
Artists Simply Human (ASH) Dance Convention is the first competition for Penny and Oliver of the season. Because one of our guest choreographers, Matthew Smith, is a faculty member with ASH, Lucas and some other team members also competed routines choreographed by Matthew at this event. All three kids took classes together, competed together, were selected for the closing show together and won scholarships, together.
Tagged: Artists Simply Human, ASH, competition, convention, dance, Reston
DanceMakers always kicks off our competition season, the first convention for the team. This year it was also Oliver’s first convention. Each of my children came into this weekend with different levels of nerves and expectations, Oliver simply wanting to survive it, Penny wanting growth and Lucas hoping he and the team could achieve beyond last year.
Tagged: California, Malibu, travel, vacation
It calls to me
the sun
a sliver or a sky full
it transforms moods
it inspires new thoughts
it brings restful slumber
it is magic
Tagged: beach, California, Hollywood Vibe, Laguna Beach, photography, Southern California, travel
Tagged: beach, Rehoboth, Santa, Schellville, Thanksgiving
People make a place. The people that stay and the people that come and go. People leave a mark on the spaces and on each other. Bocas Town, at the tip of Isla Colon, will be viewed by some as rustic and some as touristy, by some as leisure and some as work, by some as destination and some as home. Wherever we lay our heads, whether for one night or many, we take from it what we will. People make the place and make of the place and both experiences deserve appreciation.
Isla Zapatilla are actually two small islands that are part of the Bastimentos National Marine Park and are completely undeveloped. Small in size, they can be explored and circumnavigated in just a half hour. We arrived first and enjoyed the beautiful island to ourselves before the boatloads of tourists arrived.
Tagged: beach, Bocas del Toro, island, Panama, photography, Spring Break, travel, vacation
Our Everyday 