I have always loved to perform. I used to entertain my parents' dinner guests with impromptu shows in the living room and I feel grateful to have had a career where I did the same thing on a grander scale around the world! There is something so intoxicating about sharing myself with someone right in front of me. I recently revisited a solo I created back in 2014 for Visceral Dance Chicago's annual "Solus" concert. I loved the performance the soloist, Cody Szarko, gave in the

click here for the Dance Magazine article Tulsa Ballet company members practice morning pliés. Photo by Francisco Estevez. Photo taken from Dance Magazine article link above. Many of us teachers have been discussing for some time the purpose of ballet training outside of a classical work and I'm thrilled to see the conversation presented in a widely circulated publication. It's overdue to see that ballet training is a tool, the first step towards obtaining freedom of artistic

While teaching tonight I witnessed the power of saying "no". I've noticed it before but have never tried to articulate the thoughts. As a dancer I always think in very abstract, fractured thoughts, weaving together bits and pieces that seem to go together to affect an atmosphere or emotion. Back to the point, saying "no" to a dancer with genuine love and care for their growth can be the quickest way to encourage them. I saw them stop, listen, humble themselves, try again havi