Perfectionism is a common trait among ballroom dancers. It can be helpful in driving you to improve your skills and become the best dancer you can be. However, perfectionism can also be harmful if it leads to excessive self-criticism or perfectionistic standards that are impossible to meet.
There are some things you can do to help control perfectionism and keep it from becoming a problem.
First, try to be aware of when you start to feel perfectionistic tendencies creeping in. If you can catch yourself early on, you can nip them in the bud before they get out of hand. Perfectionistic tendencies include setting unreasonable goals for yourself and constantly comparing yourself with others who you perceive to be perfect.
Second, remind yourself that nobody is perfect and that mistakes are part of the learning process. Perfectionism can lead to a fear of making mistakes, which can actually hinder your progress as a dancer. Making those mistakes can lead you to be more aware of and set realistic goals for yourself.
Finally, you’re not a god. We ask ourselves why we can’t do something perfectly, and the answer is you simply aren’t (and no one around you is) perfect.
If you find that perfectionism is starting to become a problem in your life, it may be helpful to seek out professional help. A therapist can help you understand the root causes of your perfectionism and develop a plan to manage it.
Perfectionism is a common trait among ballroom dancers, but it doesn’t have to be a problem. With awareness and effort, you can control perfectionism and use it to your advantage. Perfectionism can drive you to improve your skills and become the best dancer you can be. Just remember to set realistic goals, accept that mistakes are part of the learning process, and be willing to let go of perfectionistic standards that are impossible to meet.
Much of the dance competition circuit has been on hold for months as the U.S. (and the rest of the world) grappled with COVID-19 restrictions. Dancers everywhere are itching to return to the stage, so as each state begins to emerge from lockdown, Groove Dance Competition and Convention is ready to go. From July, make-up events and regional competitions will start to go ahead, with new procedures in place to ensure safety for all.
The extended 2020 season means Groove can continue to offer dancers its usual inspiring, high-energy competition experience, but in line with health and safety guidelines.
Safety precautions at the new events include recommendations for attendees to wear masks and participate in temperature checks, mandatory temperature checks for staff, socially distanced seating, rigorous sanitization procedures, and there will be no scoring deductions for costumes featuring safety elements like face shields or masks. And, as always, Groove’s slick live streams will be available to ensure spectators can watch from home if they prefer.
Dancers at a Groove Dance Competition event. Photo courtesy of Groove.
Throughout July, August and September, these regional competition events, which include free master classes, are now scheduled for cities around the U.S., starting with a Virtual Competition on July 31, open to anyone in the country. In October and November, one-day conventions will hit key cities, offering multiple master classes, scholarship opportunities and more.
In order to keep studios as informed as possible, Groove is sending out updated information at four weeks prior to each event – and again at two weeks prior if needed – outlining any event-specific guidelines mandated by the host state. This might mean rotating studios, dressing room-specific regulations and mandatory temperature checks. In keeping everyone as informed as possible, the Groove team hopes to ensure the events run just as smoothly as they usually do.
Registering your studio for an event is simple; head to www.grooveregistration.com/Register and fill out your details to create an account. A full list of upcoming events can be found here, and each individual event page includes further details such as the host hotel and links to book online. There’s also a full update on all COVID-19 policies available here.
There’s no doubt that dancers will be thrilled to return to doing what they love most, and the Groove team is excited to welcome everyone back.
Ballroom dance is a broad term that encompasses a variety of dance styles that are performed in a ballroom setting. These styles include the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, and Viennese Waltz. The history of ballroom dance can be traced back to the 16th century in Europe, where it was primarily a social activity for the upper class. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that ballroom dance began to be formalized and Standardized.
Ballroom Goes Mainstream
One of the most iconic figures in ballroom dance history is Fred Astaire. Astaire was a Hollywood actor and dancer who appeared in a number of musical films throughout the 1930s and 1940s. He is best known for his partnership with Ginger Rogers, with whom he appeared in 10 films. Astaire’s smooth, elegant style and ability to make complex dance routines look effortless helped to popularize ballroom dance in the United States and around the world.
The Ballroom TV Revolution
In the mid-20th century ballroom dance experienced a resurgence in popularity due to its inclusion in popular culture. The television show “Dancing with the Stars” which started in 2005, has helped to introduce a new generation to the world of ballroom dance and has made it more accessible to the general public. The show features celebrities paired with professional dancers, as they compete against each other in a variety of ballroom dance styles.
In recent years, ballroom dance has also experienced a resurgence in popularity in pop culture, with the success of films such as “Shall We Dance” and “Mad Hot Ballroom.” These films have helped to introduce the sport to a new audience and have made it more accessible to the general public.
Ballroom dance continues to evolve and change with the times, with new styles and variations being created all the time! Today, it is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, and is a beloved pastime for many.
For more information on the history of ballroom dance, you can check out the following resources:
Picture this…your dancer has rehearsed for hours. The routine is perfect. You’ve packed, traveled to your first competition this year, and she forgot her lashes!
All that work and confidence is unraveled in a few moments of PANIC backstage!
Competition season is right around the corner. Being organized and well prepared is key to a successful competition season and calm performer.
Photo courtesy of LOVER Cosmetics.
Here are our top 5 makeup travW4CC4el tips to ensure you show up prepared for whatever the competition season brings…
Nothing replaces an old-fashioned checklist. We’re not talking on your phone or computer, but a printed checklist that you can actually check off and jot down what you need.
A great start is this beauty packing list from LOVER® Cosmetics. We’ve organized this checklist according to our five steps, skincare, tools and a space to add extras (think about adding hairnets, bun makers, glitter, hairpieces, and any routine-specific items you may need!)
A good exercise as you start packing is to jot down each dance/performance you are doing. Then, under each, list the specifics you need to achieve the onstage look you want.
#2. Start a note on your phone.
If you’re like me…my brain is constantly going. As I was packing for LOVER®’s NYC trip to this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, I wanted to ensure I didn’t miss a makeup beat! (We are the makeup provider for Spirit of America’s 1,400+ dancers and cheerleaders in the parade each year.)
A few weeks before departure, I started a note on my iPhone to capture instantly as it appeared in my brain, what I needed to pack for the parade. While I was in the car, at my studio, in the pick-up line…I just added to that list as the thoughts popped in my head.
The result: I felt prepared and ready when it was time to board the plane. For all you dancers, break this checklist out by each performance and costume requirement.
Don’t stop there. When you are at competition, backstage and on the way home, add to your notes. Those moments of “I wish I would have packed extra hairnets” can be added instantly to that note for the next competition.
THEN…print this out so you can check it off for the next competition.
#3. Carry-on is key.
Photo courtesy of LOVER Cosmetics.
There are so many beautiful makeup bags out there, but are they functional?
What makes a makeup bag functional? My recent favorites are The Beauty Bag by Glossier and Parallelle. Both have the same feature – LOTS of inside pockets that tightly hold your serums, lotions, etc., upright. You don’t have to worry as much about spillage and breakage. And everything has its own spot in these organize-able bags!
Don’t forget that makeup is delicate and breakable. Pack it in bubble wrap sleeves for some extra protection in your makeup bag. And we go a step further when we ship our team makeup palettes and lay a slim foam insert inside, on top of the shadows and blush. This keeps your shadows tightly held during travel.
If you MUST check your makeup bag, make sure you have it well padded in a puffy hoodie or some padded clothing. And if you can – keep it with you in your carryon!
#4. Travel-friendly sizes
I’m sure you all know how many pumps of your SPF you use in the morning or evening lotion you apply before bed.
Photo courtesy of LOVER Cosmetics.
Me? I use exactly two pumps of my morning SPF – so when I travel for a week – I pump 14 pumps into a travel-sized, disposable container, label it and toss it before returning home.
The beauty of a hotel room is that you don’t look around and see all the tasks around the house waiting for you.
This allows for some “clean-time” and “me-time”!
What do we mean by that – WASH THOSE MAKEUP BRUSHES! Our when-to-toss guide and brush-cleaning guide below is a great tool to keep your makeup bag clean. And for on-the-go cleaning, this Cinema Secrets brush cleaner is the perfect solution. It instantly cleans brushes, and they dry incredibly fast!
Then go put your feet up, put on a face mask or under eye mask, call room service and turn on your favorite movie.
Break a leg, dancers – you’re all set for a beautiful comp season!
Ashley Maurin Rodden is the owner of LOVER® Cosmetics and is one of the nation’s leading performance makeup providers with clients nationwide, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC. Her line touts USA-made, clean beauty products, customized kits and education. She trained in Paris, France, at the renowned Christian Chauveau makeup school and loves teaching women how to apply makeup in five simple steps. ashley@lover-cosmetics.com
When it comes to shoes, comfort and performance go hand-in-hand. Possibly the most important component of a dancer’s outfit, the type of shoe and heel you choose is crucial. We’ve compiled a list of heels that suit different needs and dancer preferences.
Traditional Heel
The traditional dancing heel, known as the “Oxford” or the “Gibson,” is a classic for a reason. With a flat base, suede bottom and a slightly slanted and rounded top, this shoe is stable and durable. However, it trades comfort for durability – you may find yourself getting sore from heavy use.
Rounded Heel
Many ballroom dancers choose the rounded heel shoe for easier movement. This is the perfect heel for dancers who incorporate lots of dynamic movement into their dancing, allowing for higher mobility with a smaller chance of sliding out of control on the parquet. The lifted sole (as opposed to the flatter sole of the traditional heel) allows for a greater amount of control during high-movement dances.
Slanted Heel
Like the rounded heel, the slanted heel has an inclined back to make for easier movement. Instead of a rounded heel, however, it slants with the rest of the shoe. This heel is a great middle ground for dancers who are looking for the freedom of movement of the rounded heel while preserving the sturdiness and look of the traditional heel.
Cushioned Heel
If you’re looking for maximum comfort, then the cushioned heel is the choice for you. Featuring soft rubber between the suede base and the heel, this heel forefronts comfort above all else. It’s also noiseless on account of the cushioning. This heel may feel less stable than other heels for some dancers, but if comfort is your biggest priority, the cushioned heel is the one for you. Beware, though – the soft layer that makes the cushioned heel comfortable wears off quickly.
While this guide may be helpful for understanding what heel suits your dance style, it’s always encouraged to try them for yourself and find what suits you best. Happy dancing!
Any ballroom dancer can tell you, there is no easy way to get amazing at any particular ballroom style in a short period of time. However, there are certainly best practices that smart dancers will use to ensure they get the most out of every moment spent practicing, performing, and thinking about ballroom dance! Here are some of the best tips and pieces of advice we’ve heard over the years to encourage and support your hard work.
Practice regularly. Consistency is key when it comes to improving your ballroom dancing technique. Set aside time each day or at least a few times a week to practice your steps and moves.
Take lessons from a professional. One of our qualified Fred Astaire dance instructors can help you learn proper technique, as well as provide feedback and guidance customized to your interests and needs. They can also help you identify and correct any bad habits you may have picked up by accident!
Watch videos of professional dancers. Study the movement and technique of top ballroom dancers. Pay attention to how they move their bodies, how they use their arms, and how they hold themselves.
Focus on your posture. Good posture is essential for ballroom dancing. Keep your shoulders back, your head up, and your chest out. This will help you move with grace and control.
Work on your footwork. Ballroom dancing is all about footwork, so make sure you are paying attention to your steps. Practice different types of footwork, such as chasses, runs, and turns.
Practice with a partner. Dancing with a partner is different than dancing alone, so it’s important to practice with someone else. A partner can help you work on your timing, lead and follow, and other important skills.
Work on your frame. The “frame” is the connection between you and your partner. It’s important to maintain a good frame in order to move smoothly and seamlessly together.
Pay attention to your timing. Timing is crucial in ballroom dancing. Practice counting the beats of the music, and make sure your steps are in time with the music. Practice with a wide variety of tempos to ensure you are comfortable in both fast and slow routines!
Experiment with different styles. Ballroom dancing encompasses many different styles, such as waltz, foxtrot, and cha cha. Try experimenting with different styles to find one that you enjoy and excel at, and have a conversation with your instructor about finding the style(s) that
Have fun! Remember that ballroom dancing is a hobby, and it should be enjoyable. Try not to get too caught up in perfection and have fun with the process of learning and improving.
Overall, ballroom dancing is a skill that requires practice, patience, and dedication. By focusing on proper technique, footwork, and timing, and by taking lessons from a professional, you can improve your ballroom dancing abilities and enjoy this beautiful art form.
Picture this…your dancer has rehearsed for hours. The routine is perfect. You’ve packed, traveled to your first competition this year, and she forgot her lashes!
All that work and confidence is unraveled in a few moments of PANIC backstage!
Competition season is right around the corner. Being organized and well prepared is key to a successful competition season and calm performer.
Photo courtesy of LOVER Cosmetics.
Here are our top 5 makeup travW4CC4el tips to ensure you show up prepared for whatever the competition season brings…
Nothing replaces an old-fashioned checklist. We’re not talking on your phone or computer, but a printed checklist that you can actually check off and jot down what you need.
A great start is this beauty packing list from LOVER® Cosmetics. We’ve organized this checklist according to our five steps, skincare, tools and a space to add extras (think about adding hairnets, bun makers, glitter, hairpieces, and any routine-specific items you may need!)
A good exercise as you start packing is to jot down each dance/performance you are doing. Then, under each, list the specifics you need to achieve the onstage look you want.
#2. Start a note on your phone.
If you’re like me…my brain is constantly going. As I was packing for LOVER®’s NYC trip to this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, I wanted to ensure I didn’t miss a makeup beat! (We are the makeup provider for Spirit of America’s 1,400+ dancers and cheerleaders in the parade each year.)
A few weeks before departure, I started a note on my iPhone to capture instantly as it appeared in my brain, what I needed to pack for the parade. While I was in the car, at my studio, in the pick-up line…I just added to that list as the thoughts popped in my head.
The result: I felt prepared and ready when it was time to board the plane. For all you dancers, break this checklist out by each performance and costume requirement.
Don’t stop there. When you are at competition, backstage and on the way home, add to your notes. Those moments of “I wish I would have packed extra hairnets” can be added instantly to that note for the next competition.
THEN…print this out so you can check it off for the next competition.
#3. Carry-on is key.
Photo courtesy of LOVER Cosmetics.
There are so many beautiful makeup bags out there, but are they functional?
What makes a makeup bag functional? My recent favorites are The Beauty Bag by Glossier and Parallelle. Both have the same feature – LOTS of inside pockets that tightly hold your serums, lotions, etc., upright. You don’t have to worry as much about spillage and breakage. And everything has its own spot in these organize-able bags!
Don’t forget that makeup is delicate and breakable. Pack it in bubble wrap sleeves for some extra protection in your makeup bag. And we go a step further when we ship our team makeup palettes and lay a slim foam insert inside, on top of the shadows and blush. This keeps your shadows tightly held during travel.
If you MUST check your makeup bag, make sure you have it well padded in a puffy hoodie or some padded clothing. And if you can – keep it with you in your carryon!
#4. Travel-friendly sizes
I’m sure you all know how many pumps of your SPF you use in the morning or evening lotion you apply before bed.
Photo courtesy of LOVER Cosmetics.
Me? I use exactly two pumps of my morning SPF – so when I travel for a week – I pump 14 pumps into a travel-sized, disposable container, label it and toss it before returning home.
The beauty of a hotel room is that you don’t look around and see all the tasks around the house waiting for you.
This allows for some “clean-time” and “me-time”!
What do we mean by that – WASH THOSE MAKEUP BRUSHES! Our when-to-toss guide and brush-cleaning guide below is a great tool to keep your makeup bag clean. And for on-the-go cleaning, this Cinema Secrets brush cleaner is the perfect solution. It instantly cleans brushes, and they dry incredibly fast!
Then go put your feet up, put on a face mask or under eye mask, call room service and turn on your favorite movie.
Break a leg, dancers – you’re all set for a beautiful comp season!
Ashley Maurin Rodden is the owner of LOVER® Cosmetics and is one of the nation’s leading performance makeup providers with clients nationwide, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC. Her line touts USA-made, clean beauty products, customized kits and education. She trained in Paris, France, at the renowned Christian Chauveau makeup school and loves teaching women how to apply makeup in five simple steps. ashley@lover-cosmetics.com
Ballroom dance lessons make a perfect holiday gift because of the many benefits they can provide. Not only does dance help people to stay fit and healthy, but it also teaches them coordination, creativity and discipline. It’s a creative and out-of-the-box gift idea AND it’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Dance can be a great way for someone to express themselves creatively and learn something new in the process. It gives someone the freedom to explore their personal styles and tastes, and it’s a great way for someone to learn more about themselves (and the people around them).
Additionally, dance is known to reduce stress, improve moods, and foster better overall well-being. So, dance lessons can be a great way to help someone in your life improve their physical and mental health.
Arguably the best part about dance (especially ballroom dancing) is that it can be enjoyed by anyone, at any age and at any skill level. It doesn’t matter if you’re 7 or 70 — the benefits of dancing don’t discriminate by age. Everyone is sure to get meaningful experiences through dance! Plus, it’s a great and easy way to make friends that share a common interest with you. When it comes to ballroom dancing, working with a partner (or multiple) means you get to learn to work as a team and even make close friends!
The list of benefits of dance goes on. Whether they are looking to become more physically active or simply want an activity that helps them relax and unwind during holidays, ballroom dance lessons are sure to bring joy this festive season. There truly is no better way to celebrate the holidays than with dance lessons. So this year, give the gift of dance and watch your loved one’s eyes sparkle with joy!
Need help finding the perfect studio your loved one can start their dancing journey? Look no further than Fred Astaire Dance Studios! We have hundreds of experienced instructors ready to pass on the skills of expert dancers. Plus, we host social events and parties so you can get even more out of dancing! For more information, visit our website or give us a call today!
Let’s talk about stage fright. Whether you’re new to performing or you’ve been in front of audiences for years, everybody can admit it’s at least a little nerve-wracking. And yet, it’s the culmination of all the work dancers do! So, as a teacher or studio owner who teaches your dancers all about technique and artistry, how can you coach them through the practicalities of performing, like performance anxiety?
Andrea Kolbe, studio owner of Art in Motion Dance Center in Long Island, New York, shares how she spots and soothes students who are feeling nervous. We also spoke with Chicago-based dance/movement therapist Erica Hornthal, author of Body Aware.
Andrea Kolbe.
Step one is definitely identifying the problem – and it can start even before you get to the theater. Nerves might be affecting your dancer onstage, backstage or even in the studio well before the performance. Is one of your dancers wobblier than usual the week before? Has their attitude changed in rehearsals?
Kolbe says, “When we have our recitals, I can typically tell when the dancers are nervous because of the look on their face and being super jittery. Some will talk excessively, while others will be super quiet and focus inward. I also have some of the dancers verbalize that they are nervous to me or the other instructors backstage.”
If dancers can recognize for themselves and express to you that they’re not feeling their best, that’s fantastic. But it’s important to remember that nerves will look different on everyone. Different methods of dealing with those nerves might work better for some dancers, and other methods for others. Most dancers feel better after testing their shoes onstage and having time to try the choreography in the space. Some may need time and space to focus alone. Others might benefit from a connecting pre-show ritual with their group, like a huddle and pep-talk backstage to connect with their peers.
“Group camaraderie and teamwork definitely ease onstage jitters and nervousness,” notes Kolbe. “I’ve noticed over the past 13 years of teaching in a studio setting that dancers are much more nervous when they are performing a solo on stage.” In the scenario of solos, maybe take your dancer aside and learn what they personally need, whether that’s to burn off some energy, talk it out or do some breathwork.
Erica Hornthal.
We asked dance/movement therapist Erica Hornthal for her top three tips on dealing with those pesky jitters in the wings, or nervousness leading up to that moment. Her take?
#1. “Meet your emotions. Identify what/how you feel physically.”
#2. “Notice what the timing, rhythm and intensity of this emotion is. This will help you express it.”
#3. “Express it. This can be through shaking, tapping, jumping, bouncing, etc. There is no wrong movement when it comes to expressing how an emotion feels in your body.”
A simple 1 2 3, right? Well, if you want to make this method its most effective, it takes some practice. Mental health can’t only be addressed by three “top tips” when you’re already in the wings.
“Practice the above sequence at times when you are not feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed,” Hornthal encourages. “This will allow you to use it when you really need it.” Some of her other suggestions include moving in unfamiliar ways to build a greater emotional capacity, and checking in with your body regularly to identify emotions as they arise.
Andrea Kolbe backstage with students. Photo courtesy of Kolbe.
It’s about building good mental health habits. Be sure to introduce this to your students before the big day. When they’re feeling fear creep in at the studio, or before bed on recital eve or even when they’re not feeling stressed at all, they should use this method consistently so they know they can rely on it when they’re stepping onstage.
What does Hornthal feel is overlooked about performance anxiety? “Anxiety is a feeling. It’s normal,” she says. “You will never eliminate it. The key is noticing it, understanding it, even befriending it so we can dispel the fear and release the control it has over you. It is not something to be avoided, but rather confronted in a safe and compassionate manner.”
If only we had access to professionals like Hornthal in our studios! Few dance schools have the budget to have a dance/movement therapist on staff, but boy would it be helpful. Kolbe agrees that having a mental health expert come to the studio and give a lecture on recital anxiety would be beneficial to her dancers. If not a guest lecturer, what other mental health resources can we provide for our students? As teachers, it’s our job to set them up to do the best they can – and in a performance art, that includes giving them tools to dance without anxiety affecting their performance.
Diane DeFries, former executive director of the American College Dance Association, has been attending performances at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts since it opened in 1971. At ACDA’s national festivals, she saw generations of students look awestruck upon walking into the imposing Washington, DC, performing arts center.
“Much to my despair, I feel like I cannot go to the Kennedy Center in good conscience at this point,” DeFries says. “The intention of this administration is to transform our national monument to the performing arts into an institution with values…that are counter to what the arts have been historically.”
The Kennedy Center is one of the largest performing arts centers in the U.S. Because of its capacity, reputation, and prominence as the country’s national cultural center, its programming in dance and beyond has vast influence. “It’s an important stage for America, and an important stage for the world,” says Alicia Adams, who was vice president of international programming and dance until she was let go in May.
Earlier this year, President Trump decried the Center’s programming as “woke,” and in August, while announcing the latest class of Kennedy Center Honorees, he leaned in: “We reversed what was happening. We ended the woke political programming and we’re restoring the Kennedy Center as the premier venue for performing arts anywhere in the country, anywhere in the world.”
Droves of dance and other performing artists, arts managers, and loyal Kennedy Center audience members appear to disagree. Many dancers and choreographers in the greater Washington, DC, metropolitan region, like DeFries, are weighing whether attending events there would be a tacit endorsement of President Trump’s policies.
The cast of Project ChArma’s Crates at National Dance Day 2023. Photo courtesy Project ChArma.
Chris and Ama Law, co-directors of the Maryland-based dance theater company Project ChArma, grew up in the DC area but only recently began to feel like the Center was a place for them. In 2019, Jane Raleigh—then the Kennedy Center’s dance programming director, who made a concerted effort to broaden the representation of local dance companies across genres in Center programming—invited Project ChArma to present their piece Rooted at the Center’s Millennium Stage. The Laws were later invited to help curate 2023’s National Dance Day event dedicated to hip hop, and subsequently received a coveted Local Dance Commissioning Project award, which came with a $20,000 commission and a performance slot in the Center’s Terrace Theater.
Project ChArma is scheduled to perform Saturday, September 20, at this year’s National Dance Day. “But now I don’t know about buying tickets,” Ama Law says. “I’ll just do my damnedest to find comps, or wait for discounts…anything that gives the institution less of my money.” At the same time, the Laws are thinking about the impact of boycotts on dance artists. “I would hate to be that artist who is performing to an empty crowd, knowing how hard I worked,” Ama Law says.
Absent from this Kennedy Center season is Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a perennial favorite engagement at the Opera House. Ailey week at the Kennedy Center not only frequently sold out, but the opening night company benefit has been a major fundraiser for Ailey, bringing in over $1.2 million this past February. This year the company opted to perform instead at DC’s Warner Theatre. It declined to comment on that decision.
Without strong ticket sales, dance at the Kennedy Center may not be sustainable. “In 2021 the pandemic crashed everything in terms of ticket sales and subscriptions,” Raleigh says. “In subsequent years we were seeing more robust subscriptions than many of our dance-presenting colleagues nationally. And our single tickets were selling in the 70-to-80-percent–capacity range for most of our [dance] engagements, some much better. Houses were full, we were feeling good about it.” She noted—and Adams confirmed—that the newly hired Trump-endorsed upper managers were very complimentary on dance programming earlier this year.
Raleigh plans on attending the 2025–26 season, which she partially booked. “ ‘Come see dance’ was my position when I was inside the Kennedy Center, and it remains my position now,” she says. “Support the artists who are on those stages and my colleagues who remain working at the Kennedy Center.” Adams, who spent three decades of her career in programming at the Center, says that she is also looking forward to supporting the dance companies she booked for the coming season. “If there’s something there that you believe in and respect, a company whose work you have supported or want to see, then support them,” she says. “Be in that audience to cheer them on.”
“To go or not to go,” however, remains the question. Vincent Thomas, a Baltimore-based dance artist and educator whose company, VTDance, has been presented on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, last came to a performance at the Center in August—one day after Raleigh and the rest of the dance programming team were fired. “I felt for these artists and I felt an obligation, a need, to support them,” he says. But Thomas, like many other formerly dedicated dance patrons, has yet to purchase tickets for the 2025–26 dance season.
Second, remind yourself that nobody is perfect and that mistakes are part of the learning process. Perfectionism can lead to a fear of making mistakes, which can actually hinder your progress as a dancer. Making those mistakes can lead you to be more aware of and set realistic goals for yourself.
