.dance.

Dance is my life. It has molded me into the person I am today. I am sad that our season has come to an end, but I am forever grateful for the experience I had with this year's group. Ya it was different. It always is. That's why I love dance. You never know what kind of rehearsal/performance you are going to have. 

I want to publicly express gratitude for all those who came to support the company in our concert. I am amazed at the wonderful people in my life who come to support me. It blows me away. I've never felt such love and support from so many family members and friends. Thanks all!

Something that made this year so special was dancing 

with my best friend. She is my sister and I don't know

what I would do without her. She made that 30 minute drive

to dance each week worth it. Love her. 

These are just a few of the amazing people

who came to support me tonight.

I love them all.

This concert was extra special to me this

year because I got to dance with my

beautiful sister. She is my rock and 

dancing with her is an honor.

I woke up the next morning to these beauties.

Do they hurt? Oh yes.

Are the ugly? Of course.

Was it worth it? Totes.

.my.life.

With the concert coming up, all I can think about is my history with dance. 

Dance has made me who I am today.

Dance has changed my life.

And in many ways, dance has saved my life.

I love looking down at my keys and seeing the key to the studio.

That's my key to another home. 

My key to happiness.

My key to peace.

My key to my quiet place.

My key to my life.

.finally.

I started dancing again tonight.

And boy did it feel good.

Being with some of the most incredible girls.

Doing what I have been doing since age 3.

Laughing my head off.

Bruising up my feet and knees.

Getting those calluses back.

Feeling a sort of happiness I haven't felt in a while.

Being free to laugh, dance and be happy without anyone stopping me.

Yep...It was a good feeling.

Thursdays will be a wonderful day for me.

Now it's my turn...

I started teaching dance again tonight.

I have missed that studio dearly.

I have missed walking through those doors with my sweats on along with a water bottle and iPod in hand ready to teach girls what I was once taught at a younger age.

I still find myself learning new things as I teach.

I find it interesting being a teacher.

It's weird watching these girls as I take them through the stretch routine and think to myself, 

"I was once that little..." 

or

"I remember that frustration of not being able to do a double turn too."

or

"I used to be able to move my body like that..."

or

"Where did the time go??"

It's interesting growing up as a dancer.

I started at such a young age.

The age of 3. 

I remember Miss Connie teaching me my left foot from my right foot.

The pink heart on my ballet slipper was my right foot.

And the blue star was my left.

Now it's my turn.

To teach these little girls where their left foot is.

How to point it.

How to do a simple turn.

How to do a leap.

I remember Miss Connie holding my hand as I would do my leaps across the floor.

Now it's my turn.

To guide these girls as they learn something that is so new to them.

I remember being taught all of this.

I also remember being the one who would hang on the ballet bar like a crazy monkey.

My teachers were so patient with me.

They would bribe me with treats and such.

Now it's my turn.

To have patience.

To bribe my students with treats or games.

Now it's my turn.

My turn to watch these girls progress.

To watch them grow up.

To teach them what I have learned in my history of dancing.

To be an example.

To be the sister that some of these girls may not have.

To lift them up.

To be the Miss Connie in their lives.

I never thought I would ever be a dance teacher.

Of course....I dreamed about it everyday.

It was something I always wanted to do.

I just never thought it would happen to me. 

Now it's my turn... 

To have a lifelong dream...

Come true.

Day of Blessings...

"Where much is given...much is required."

I love this saying....especially today. 

Today at work, I was stressing about money and not working enough to make it. 

Synergy is costing me and my parents a lot of money.

So work has been more stressful that usual.

Today, I received an email from D. Kim Clayton.

Director of Clayton Productions.

Long story short...blessings were received.

An international foundation donated a great deal of money towards Synergy.

$1,300 is now off of my back.

I have been working hard to pay my parents back.

They have been so great to help me pay for Synergy this year, 

but inside...I want to pay for it all myself.

I WILL pay for it all myself.

As I read that email, I gasped and cupped my hand over my mouth.

Phone calls were made to family and friends.

Jessica even called me right after receiving the email just to catch up.

She has this sisterly sense.

I couldn't help but cry as I read the email over and over again.

This is a huge blessing for not only me, but for every single member of Synergy.

Because I received such an amazing donation, it makes me want to push even harder.

It makes me want to put my whole heart and soul into Synergy 2012.

Rehearsals are 6 hours long.

They are tiring and hard at times.

It is all worth it.

I've done this before.

I'll do it again.

I express a large amount of gratitude to that foundation who was so kind and generous to help us all out.

I have found that by living your life in such a way that draws you unto Christ, keeps you close to the spirit and just being obedient, that you will receive multiple blessings.

It makes the hard things in life so worth living for.

Tears were shed.

Smiles were present.

And hugs were given. (thank you Aubrey)

I am a happy and grateful girl.

I am blessed and filled with joy.

THANK YOU.

P.S. Nothing is better than coming home from work to a huge hug from your roommate and having her say, "I just love you Ann!" I love YOU Aubrey! I have the best roommate ever!

Passionate.

Something I am passionate about...

DANCE.

I dance when I'm upset.
I dance when I'm happy.
I dance to find joy.
I dance to change lives.
I dance and leave the world behind.
I dance and find myself lost in the music.

Dance has given me opportunities to travel the world.

Orlando, Florida at Epcot

Philippines 2012

I have been able to change lives.

I have been able to have my life changed by others.

Synergy 2010

I have been taught by many amazing teachers. 

These are people I look up to in so many ways,

These are people I will never forget.

 Susan DeMille & D. Kim Clayton

Susan has worked with me through 7 musicals.

She is a brilliant choreographer and director.

Anyone who has done a show with her will agree with me.

She pushes me hard, but shows me that she loves me at the same time.

She has taught me dedication.

I love Susan!

Kim is a second father to me.

I have been under his direction since I was 5 years old.

He scared me when I first saw him.

Hey! He's 6' 7"!

But he is nothing but a soft spoken man who has so much passion for what he does.

He has had over 7,000 students walk through his studio.

He has changed many many lives.

It's because of him, I am confident enough to perform in front of 4,000 people.

I love this man.                         

Dance has made me work hard in life.

I auditioned for Olympus Dance Company 3 times.

I finally made it after that 3rd audition.

Worth it?

I think yes!

Olympus Dance Company 2010 Seniors

Dance has helped me reach out to others.

I was able to work with a group called Starstruck.

This group is for kids who are handicapped.

I love these kids.

I have been forever changed by them.

Allison & Jeffrey 

I was able to teach at Clayton with the dance company.

I was only able to teach for a year because I moved down to Orem for school.

I loved teaching dance!

Not only did I teach these girls, but they taught me many lessons as well!

Shanay, Becca, Ellie, Mikayla and Andrea became little sisters to me.

I loved this group!

Xcite 2010-2011

Not only did I get to teach a dance company group,

But I got to be in one!

I loved Monday nights!

It was a night where I got to teach for 3 hours,

and then dance for 2!

There girls became some of my best friends.

We all got so close!

Dream 2011

The dance company staff was amazing to work with.

Steph Dowse, Steph Wood and Megan became some of my best friends.

We are al in Synergy together and it is so much fun to be in a group with all 4 of us.

Vanessa was the dance company director. 

She did a wonderful job!

Clayton Dance Company Teachers 2010-2011

This past summer, 

I was able to be in my dream show.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

I was in the children's chorus when I was 6 back at Kingsbury Hall.

Being a wife/dancer in this show was a dream come true for me!

And I got to be in it with my brother Hugh and some close friends!

Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Draper 2011

I guess you could say that I love dance!

I'm very passionate about it.

I love what it's taught me.

I love how it's impacted my life.

I love how I've changed lives.

I love how I've been changed by others.

I love performing.

I love learning.

I love teaching.

I. LOVE. DANCE.