DanceMakers Collective Season XI kicked off with a weekend in Charleston, SC full of joy, friendship, community and anticipation for a one-of-a-kind year ahead!
Tagged: Charleston, dance, Dancemakers, Lucas, South Carolina
Our Everyday
Sharing our stories, big and small.
Posts from the “childhood” Category
CLI Conservatory is a pre-professional dance program located in Southampton, MA. They offer summer intensives which are six days of classes with top choreographers across multiple styles, provide dance on camera experience, include wellness sessions to address the whole dancer and provide a safe, supportive community of like-minded dancers committed to growing their artistry. Lucas danced all week in a room full of supportive and talented dancers, learned from choreographers that inspire him, and rediscovered and deepened his love and appreciation of dance. I enjoyed the slowed down pace and charm of the many small towns of western MA, spending time with my fellow dance mom and seeing my son push himself, stay true to himself, and grow and stretch in new ways.
Tagged: CLI, CLI Conservatory, dance, Easthampton, intensive, Lucas
They did it! But wait, this journey for Lucas actually started seven years ago. DanceMakers was the first dance convention he attended when he joined Creative Dance Center’s competition team in 5th grade. It immediately made an impression on him. We’ve attended many dance conventions and the format is largely the same; high caliber faculty, classes in many styles of dance, competition against some of the best dance studios in the nation. What has stood DanceMakers apart from the rest is their vision; to make every person who walks through their doors feel welcomed, loved and supported. Those first few years Lucas stood out for his hip hop while he learned ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, ballroom and musical theater. Then class by class, year by year, his confidence grew. His trust in the dance community grew. His belief in himself as more than a hip hop dancer grew. The community, the faculty and the Collective of DanceMakers played a big part in the safety of this growth. For the past seven years we’ve attended a DanceMakers regional event and for the past three years we’ve attended their Nationals. The mutual trust and respect between our studio and DanceMakers has grown tremendously in the past few years with our coaches and dancers all feeling a bit more at home, every year.
Tagged: convention, Creative Dance Center, dance, Dancemakers, Lucas, Myrtle Beach, Nationals, Oliver, Penny, South Carolina
Bringing the kids to Rehoboth Beach since 2007 we’ve made a lot of traditions. With Happy Go Lucky, celebrating Penny’s birthday has become one of them. Her second time bringing friends to celebrate her birthday, she got to share some of her favorite things in one of our family’s favorite places while creating traditions and memories that are all her own. 
Tagged: 15, birthday, Delaware, fifteen, Happy Go Lucky, Penny, Rehoboth, Rehoboth Beach
Beyond the Stars was our studio’s last team competition of the season and the one event all three of my kids competed all their routines. The season is always busy but always seems too short. 
Tagged: Beyond the Stars, competition, Creative Dance Center, dance, Lucas, Oliver, Penny
Second dance competition of the season brought less nerves, more competition and more growth.
Maria
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: competition, convention, dance, Hollywood Vibe, Lucas, Penny, 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
Our Everyday 