Who felt the joy most?

Yesterday Debbie and I took our Performance Ensemble to Class Inc in Lawrence and Presentation of Mary in Methuen to perform for some very special people.
Our first stop was at Class Inc. Class Inc is a day facility providing services to individuals with disabilities. This is our second trip to Class Inc. The students performed a 30 minute presentation of dance - everything from ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre and contemporary. The adults watching the performance were smiling great big smiles, clapping and cheering. What a great feeling we all had leaving the facility. The girls were saying "I feel so great now" "Performing in this setting makes me so happy" Seeing them feel joy from bringing joy to others is what dance should and can be about.
Next we arrived at Presentation of Mary in Methuen where we were to dance for the retired nuns. Another wonderfully rewarding experience. These women were so welcoming and excited to see the girls perform. They too were clapping along and tapping their feet to the beat of the music. Many of the nuns were surprised by  the students' ages and years of dance experience.
The day was full of joy and fulfillment. As NECB's school director I have always wanted to broaden the students' performance opportunities and now with the help of Debbie and the creation of our performance ensemble we are on our way.
Seeing the girls' take pride in bringing joy to others through their dance was such a sweet beginning to summer!

Here comes the break......gasp

Here comes the break I shudder at the thought Why???.....The last few weeks of our school year I have been pushing my girls....intense core work in jazz.....pointe upon pointe upon pointe.....to their tunes of "why do you hate us so much???"  after 100+ leg lifts and "wow I am terrible" upon completion of frappe with releve/on releve etc etc. It's big girl panty time I say over and over and you know what..............I LOVE IT!!! I love to see girls pushing to places they never imagined, love giving the opportunity to "younger" dancers to play with the "big girls" and the "big girls" the shocking realization that you have to keep pushing to reach new heights-there is always someone behind you who wants it just as bad if not more. Complacency is the curse of death. Well okay maybe not death but it is the curse of stale plateaued  dancing. Get out there and push yourself in class, on break, in life!