Artists Simply Human (ASH) Dance convention is our team’s first convention of the season. It is also the only convention where both Oliver’s team and Lucas’ and Penny’s team compete together allowing me to see two solos, 15 group routines and cheer on all three of my kids. This is Oliver’s second ASH, Penny’s third and Lucas’ last. 
Creative Dance Center’s annual Nutcracker In a Shell The Remix is our community fundraising performance of the year. This year marks Creative Dance Center’s 26th annual performance, Oliver’s first, Penny’s fourth and Lucas’ last.
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.

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.
“The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.” – Psalm 121:5-6
What starts in August with choreography ends in June with DanceMakers Nationals and the last time they perform their routines of the season. Several routines took home Style High Scores including Let It Bump for Teen Hip Hop Extended Line, Ensnared for Senior Open Group, Money for Senior Hip Hop Line and Heatin’ Up for Senior Hip Hop Extended Line and Ensnared winning Performance of the Year. Lucas always comes into Nationals with nerves and expectations. His emotions swung from insecurity to validation and I am so proud of his resilience and what he was able to accomplish and prove to himself. 