The Gift of Life

The Gift of Life

As we celebrate the coming of our King to earth this month, I think I am finally ready to put into words some thoughts about our trip to Haiti this past July. Ms. Vicki, my dad, my oldest daughter, and I made a trip with a team from Joy in Haiti, an...
Trusting the Process

Trusting the Process

A few months back, I was speaking with the mother of one of our students after a performance, and we were going over the experience. In our discussion, she mentioned the Matheny Manifesto as a contributing factor to how she approaches her daughter’s dance instruction....
Coming Down the Mountain

Coming Down the Mountain

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters…” (Matthew 17:4) I hope that this summer has been a time of renewal for you and those closest to you. When the students come back to class at the studio in August, it...
Comparison in Dance and Life

Comparison in Dance and Life

[An] important lesson to impart to a young student is that they can be proud of their achievements, regardless of how those achievements compare to another’s. It is a waste of time and energy to be concerned about the achievements of others. (John White, Teaching...
You Do Not Have to…, You Only Have to Love

You Do Not Have to…, You Only Have to Love

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. -Ephesians 4:4 Lately, I have been struggling with a couple things – One – Making mistakes. I tend to be a perfectionist, so end up putting a lot of...
Movement

Movement

I remember sitting there, and the girl was hardly moving. Her face, her heart – they said everything that needed to be said. It was clear that she did not have extensive, if any, formal dance training, but it was also clear that she loved to dance. This girl was...