Are you Dance CURIOUS?
Raise your hand if you've ever felt too old, too fat, too inflexible, too uncoordinated, too shy, too masculine, too ____________ to dance. The truth is, even professional dancers feel those things all the time because everyone plays the comparison game. At Dance Wire, we are determined to erase those stigmas. Dance is for EVERYONE.
Rhonda graciously agreed to tell her story to launch our new series Dance CURIOUS. Follow along especially if you are new to dance or working to reconnect with it. If you have a story you'd like to tell, email emily@dancewirepdx.org using subject line Dance CURIOUS Story to Tell
And if you want to hear more stories like this and help us expand our resources on the website, please make a one-time or recurring donation. Together we can Keep Portland Dancing!
Inspiring, eloquent, heartfelt story
Dear Rhonda,
I just viewed the video story of your evolution with dance. Wow! Your narrative and your authentic presence were moving.
I appreciated your starting with your childhood experience and the unfortunate emotional legacy of the recital pressure you described. It was sweet to see that you made sure to provide a more encouraging, nurturing experience for your daughter. It was kind of thrilling to hear about your adult-stage courage to challenge the limiting beliefs and associations that had accumulated about dance and to step wholeheartedly into this art form you so love. That you said Yes to the salsa fellow and Yes to new dance classes and experiences more generally says something marvelously positive about your spirit and your humanity.
With your example and inspiration, we who are new to dance may also find our voice (and our feet) in a fuller way, with more aliveness and ease.
Your video made my day!
Thank you.
I LOVED listening to your story. Rhonda. Thank you so much for sharing it!
I appreciate your honesty and I enjoyed hearing of how much joy dance now brings to your life.
I too began dancing as an adult… While I was a young adult (early twenties) I was very intimated to take a dance class. My sister had been a dancer and my understanding was that a true “dancer” was somebody who began as a young child. Even now, as a “professional” dancer, I still find myself feeling like a fraud!
(Oh, and I know exactly what you mean about going across the floor in ballet class. I always want to slip out the door when that time comes (in ballet or flamenco class!)
Many of my students came to dance as adults and I think will be able to relate. I can’t wait to share this with them.
I’m so looking forward to seeing more of this series!