Courage is stepping outside your comfort zone. Courage is
doing things that are unfamiliar. Courage is being scared, but going for it
anyway. Courage is trusting that your life will lead where it is meant to.
In January I attended a casting call for a Redken Hair show.
I nervously walked into a room full of all sorts of girls. I had no idea what
to expect. We were asked to stand based on our measurements, height, hair type,
color, etc. I was booked to be a
model in the show! It was so much fun! They highlighted my hair (I wouldn’t let
them dye it… I was too scared) and then styled it into what they called the
“Wrap Star Ponytail”. I got paid
to let people play with my hair all day long... FINE BY ME!!! The stylists were
all in awe of how much hair I had and loved playing with it. I’m definitely
going to try to do more hair shows when I can... as long as they don’t want to
butcher my hair! Haha. I walked in totally out of my comfort zone, but walked
out with experience and connections.
The Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater had three
successful shows in Vegas at the West Las Vegas Library Theater for Black
History Month. I was so nervous for the shows… I really wanted to do well and
perform to the best of my abilities. We had one children’s show where we
performed “Phib” and “Pajama
Party”. The kids all really seemed to like it and it was a really fun
performance. Then that night we had an evening performance where I got to
perform in “Solstice”, “Read Matthew 11:28” and “Lifted”. We did that same
evening performance as a matinee the next day. All were such fun performances. I
was reminded yet again, how much I love being on stage. I loved each of the
pieces that I got to perform for different reasons. It was an overwhelming
weekend of emotions. I am so incredibly grateful to have been given the
opportunity to perform alongside such amazing people and artists. But not only
was that overwhelming, I was overwhelmed by the amount of support that I
received. I had so many new friends come and support me in my show. I am so
blessed to be surrounded by such incredible people in all areas of my life.
I’ve always felt like I was here in Las Vegas and with LVCDT for a reason, but
having so many people come out to be there for me was just another bit of proof
that I am exactly where I belong. My family isn’t geographically close to me to
be able to come to my shows, but I’m grateful to have more people that I can
call family. Moving to Las Vegas has been the craziest thing I’ve ever done in
my life. It was definitely outside my comfort zone, and I know that I am
gaining more and more courage since I moved out here to do things that are
uncomfortable for me.
LVCDT just got back from a residency in Prescott, Arizona.
We had two performances and a master class with area dance studios. Again, I
was just overwhelmed with the gratitude to be a part of this amazing group of
people, going to other places and inspiring other dancers to follow their
dreams. It was heartwarming. I love what I do and who I get to do it with.
I will soon be starting a teaching position at a local
studio out here on Wednesday nights teaching ballet and pointe. I am so excited
and happy to be a part of the studio!
Things are really falling into place. I always knew they
would. It has just taken time to get settled into everything and my new life in
Sin City. I am excited and hopeful for what lies ahead. I have the courage to trust
that my life is where it is supposed to be and that I am headed down the right
path. Everyone is capable of courage, if they just take that first step towards
it. It is there and so much easier to achieve than we think.
