Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Dance Boot Camp

So - in a few days I start rehearsals as a lead dancer in HOW TO SUCCEED... with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.  I'm super excited to work with such a talented cast, and an Orchestra that will be out of this world.  These days, you rarely get to work with a FULL Orchestra - one where ALL of the parts from the original score are filled with professional, working musicians.  And the score for HOW TO SUCCEED is so fantastic - I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

But here's the problem - I'm 30 now.  And I am in damn good shape for 30 - I've been working really hard at it for months.  I teach dance, but to preschoolers and elementary aged kids.  I'm not consistently working on my technique, so while I have the mental background and the understanding of technique, I am not 23 anymore, when I could dance anything.  My joints feel 30 - I can't turn more than a double on the left and a triple on the right, my leaps are not nearly as high...  I've often wished that I could take what I know about dance now and my 16 year old body, and put them together - I'd be unstoppable (okay I can feel you rolling your eyes... let's just go with that, okay?)

In preparation for the three weeks of challenging rehearsals I'm about to begin, I've added a dance bootcamp section to my daily workouts.  I time my gym time so that there is an exercise room open and available, take my dance shoes, and go for it.  It's been really fun, actually, and things are coming back quickly considering I'm 30.  I don't usually feel my age, I keep thinking that I'm still 25, but my joints are most definitely older.  It's okay... I'll get there.

And you know what?  It's going to be a blast.

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