The Journey of a Jazzin Jarhead

Dance Rehearsal

2008-11-03T20:22:00.000-08:00

So, it's been quite a while since I've been on here, but I thought I'd at least post a few recent photos of me in rehearsal for a dance piece I'm in that performs in February at the University of North Texas!

And There Was Much Dancing!

2008-07-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

Hello dear friends,
my apologies for this much awaited update! The past few months have been quite hectic. That being said, I have returned and will certainly update you all very soon in the coming weeks ahead! There are many shows ahead, and I am quite excited as I'm soon to begin another chapter in my life as I transfer out to UNT this Fall with a major in Theatre and minor in Education. The future is uncertain at times, but both exciting and terrifying too!
Therefore away! I cannot a moment stay!

Desperately Dedicated to Drama,

The Dancing Devil Dog

The Performance!

2007-12-13T15:50:00.001-08:00

It's hard to believe, even as I write this how fast this past semester and this past year has gone by, but it truly is over now! This past weekend (the 6th and 7th) I had my final end of the year dance performance for my Ballet I and my Jazz III classes!

It was certainly a hectic couple of weeks leading up to performance time, but I think the end result was worthwhile. The performance on Thursday, as to be expected, I felt a little nervous about, but following the show, Friday night, I felt as though the pressure was off and I could just have fun and dance! Both nights sold out! But, for me, I'd say I also enjoyed Friday night more as some of my friends showed up that night! And so ends another semester!

Driven by dance,

The Dancing Devil Dog

*Check out more pics from the show!

Journal #25 Jazz Technique III Class #25

2007-12-04T14:36:00.000-08:00

Well,
as I sit here writing this today, I'm feeling rather tired! It feels like it's been a rather long day already! In ballet, we met at the JAT to run over our rehearsal on stage. It went fairly well, but I still feel like I need to work on tweaking the coreography, and mastering the technique.
It's hard to believe this whole semester is almost over, it's gone by so fast!
One thing that was kind of fun today, was that after ballet, I went into the studio to practice for a little while, and just as I was finishing up and about to head out, another dance class was coming in. Well, it turned out that they were doing a little ballroom, and since we were already there (those of us who were hanging out there) we were asked to stay for the class. So, we did and we learned some salsa and meringue. It was a lot of fun! It was cool, because for a moment it took my mind off of other things such as the choreography for the performance, and I was truly able to just have fun, because I wasn't "performing!"
Anyway, let me back up and talk a little about last Thursday's jazz class. It went fairly well. We went over the last bit of the piece, as we were still refining the choreography there. But, I think it was starting to come together for the most part. As I said before, I still don't feel like I have it as down as I would like, but I feel that with the time I have remaining, all I can really do is give me best with what I have down, and try to enjoy it and express that joy in my dance. The rest is show business!
And so off I go again into another day of dance,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #24 Jazz Technique III Class #24

2007-11-29T13:48:00.001-08:00

Well,
as I sit here I am rather sore from the past few days of dance. Ballet went okay today. I must admit I didn't feel as good about today as other days. I still need to work hard on getting the technique down. It's not and easy or always fun challenge, but it is a good challenge worth investing in.
In other news, I registered for Spring classes. It's hard to believe that this semester is almost over! I'm planning on taking one ballet class and one modern. In addition to these two, I hope to take one more ballet class through the Dallas Metropoliton Ballet. So, it promises to be a busy semester, but hopefully not as exausting as this one has been!
Jazz was not too bad the other day. I must admit, I'm still struggling with some of the choreography. I think I've got most of it down, but the timing on some of it is a bit of a challenge, and the last few eight counts at the end of the piece are still a bit rusty as they are still being altered. So.... it promises to be an interesting show next week!
I suppose if there were any words of encouragement for the remaining days ahead, it would be to go out strong and confident each time. Embrace the dance, and make it my own! What I know, do it with all my strength, and what I don't know, do it still with great passion and confidence in a way that shows I am not intemidated by lack of execution. Part of the greatest element of performance is improvisation: owning the piece and making it your own. The steps are taught, and then you are supposed to stylize them how you feel they work best for you. And in the end, that is all that you can do!
Putting the best foot forward,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #23 Jazz Technique III Class #23

2007-11-27T13:22:00.000-08:00

So,
as I come to the close of the trilogy recap, let me express a few more observations from these past few weeks. I suppose one particular event worth mentioning, relates to my ballet class. Over the course of this semester I have discovered real growth in my technique, particularly in ballet. I have taken on a class which initially, I must confess I was a bit concerned I would be able to grasp much from. Yet, to my great surprise, with but a bit of practice and diligence, and a heart full of dreams and desire, I was able to improve, far more than I imagined!
Over this semester I have befriended a few of my fellow dancers in the class. One in particular has be most helpful to me, and I am most greatful. She has spent time after class, going over choreography, and working on particular steps in technique where I am weak. And over this time she has taught me many good things, which I will likely take with me through the course of my career. In the last few weeks, my instructor in addition to my "tutor," suggested that I take some outside lessons in addition to classes here in dance to help me improve particularly in my technique. And so, I looked into taking some classes at a school called: The Dallas Metropolitan Ballet, which conveniently is across the street from my job. So, about a week or so back, I met with the instructors of the school and they suggested that I sit in on a placement class to see where I will fit.
I admit I was excited, but also quite anxious. As it turned out, I realized that it was going to be a bit more challenging than I had initially anticipated. I would be the only male dancer in a class of woman half my age, who had danced since they were quite small. And, this was an advanced company class, so there was little more I could do to humiliate myself! But, I tried to the best of my ability to keep up and do the best that I could with what I knew and what I was learning. Although, it seemed like the class would never end, eventually it did. And as the class started the wind down, the instructore pulled me aside and suggested, not to my surprise that I concider taking the evening adult's beginner class. So, as of now I still have not followed up on that, but I plan to over the course of the holiday break, when I have time to focus and a little spare cash to pay for the 8 class course. The future looks bright in spite of all my lack of faith!
Striving to continue along the path at any cost, no matter what trial may lie ahead, there is great potential waiting in the wings,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #22 Jazz Technique III Class #22

2007-11-27T13:08:00.000-08:00

So,
as I begin this post, I realize that I'm not precisely matching class date to class date. But I also know that sometime my perfection can get the better of me. I see that the true point of all this is to just express what I've learned over the course of this semster. And with that being said, I will continue somewhere not far from where I left off.
Following the costume shopping. Che and I arrived a little early back to campus as he has a Modern Dance class before our jazz class. This was fortunate for me as I had some time to kill. After getting a little bite to eat. I changed and went over to the studio to see if it was being used. To my great surprise, it was not! So, I actually had pleasure of warming up a little and practicing before class for a good 30 plus minutes!
I found that there was quite a bit that I still to this day need to work on. I think the most important part is sticking with it. Someone reminded me the other day of the importance of being physically present. I think that it's easy for one like myself to talk about practicing more, and scolding myself for not doing so, but when it comes down to actually doing it, that's quite another thing! Yet, if you make it a point to be present or be at the place where you will practice, once there, it's a little harder to get distracted, because now you're committed. So, as I look down the road to where this may one day take me, I see that it really comes down to discepline, and deciding that you will really do what you say you will do.
Without that, quite frankly nothing else matters. You must set aside the time and practice, for when you do, profound things will happen: you will grow, you will improve, you will be encouraged. But if you do not discepline yourself: you will forget, you will "get rusty," you will be discouraged, and you may even lose interest of pursuing it all together.
So to conclude this observation, it takes discepline to see progess in all aspects of life, in which was wishes to succeed. A disceplined life is a better life, it is a life worth living. A wasted life is a worse life, and one worth forgetting.
Striving for excellence in the everyday opportunities,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #21 Jazz Technique III Class #21

2007-11-27T12:57:00.000-08:00

Well,
as I find myself sitting here shortly after ballet, I realize that it has been some time since I last wrote. The past few weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday were a fit of a flurry for me, so I will try in the following three entries to describe some of the things that went on.
I suppose one thing I can remember is that in these past few weeks, we have really started working more and more on the choreography for our final performance!
It's hard to believe as I sit here that the semester has gone by so quickly, and by next week we will be performing. I'm both excited and anxious. I still have quite a lot of work to do, especially (I confess in jazz). Ballet has not been so hard as I don't have a lot of choreography to remember and work on, so it's easier to focus on perfecting it. Yet, for jazz, I find that I'm still struggling with remembering all the piece. Partially this is due to the fact that we haven't to date completely finished the choreography yet; so, there's still some things to work through. And also on my part, I will admit that I haven't spent as much time practicing for this piece as I should. So, I have a lot in the coming days to work on!
I think it is a fun piece though. It's got a nice feel to it. We're doing the song by Donna Summers: "Last Dance." This song has a fun disco sort of feel and we're defenitely going for that!
In the past week, I went costume shopping with my fellow dancer Che. We had quite a time trying to find exactly what we wanted.... in our price range! The place we went to had a great selection of all kinds of costumes for various occasions, but finding things that we could affoard became quite a challenge. Initially we had hoped to get a shirt, trousers, and maybe a jacket or vest. Yet, as things progressed, we realized that we would only be able to manage a shirt. But, after a good hour's investment, I believe we both left quite satisfied. Che's shirt was a black sequin shirt, and mine was a gold one that looked something like that from "Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat" or "Jesus Christ Superstar!"
Anyway, it was a fun time! And for now, I believe I will finish this entry at that!
Don't forget your hat,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #20 Jazz Technique III Class #20

2007-11-13T13:54:00.000-08:00

Well,
here I sit rather tired today Tuesday (my longest day of the week)! I'm reflecting on my choreography in ballet today as I write this. It has been a bit of a challenge of late, particularly with lifting. I'm about to head off to the gym after I write this, so I can start bulking up a little before our performance!
Regarding this past Thursday, of last week, it was another busy day of choreography in jazz. The first part of the sequence I think I got down, but as we added more to it this past class, I found that I was having some trouble with the movements, particullary one of the leaps. It's one where you chasse (turn once) and then leap in the air with one leg extended and the other one is underneath you. Yet, in addition to this, you are spinning in the air. So, for now, I'm still working on that.
Aside from that, though, I would say it's been going fairly well. I've really enjoyed the dance so far! I think all of us are starting to get the end of semester jitters, and are all ready to have this year over with. So, it's kind of nice that we're a smaller class, and can accomplish more in a shorter amount of time!
In other dance related news, I'm looking into taking classes with the Dallas Metropolitan Ballet, which is across the street from where I work! I spoke today with one of the instructors (whom I will likely take ballet under) and she said that as a male dancer, I will likely be able to dance on scholarship, as there is such a need for male dancers. If this works out, it could be a great opportunity for me to be able to grow more quickly in my dancing, so that when I return in the Spring, I will be more prepared for dance here at Quad C. And too, I should think that I will be more prepared to transfer following the Spring semester, to UNT! So, that's what's on the horizon for me! There is still much work ahead, but I'm excited!
Oh for the joy of dance,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #19 Jazz Technique III Class #19

2007-11-08T13:41:00.001-08:00

Well, here I am sitting relaxing in the library on campus as I reflect on this Tuesday's past dance class. It went fairly well I would say in spite of the fact that most of us had taken the entire previous week off from jazz, as I think I had mentioned before.
Well, it was a fairly quick warm-up period before we got into the choreography for the final! Originally, the plan was to combine all of the musical pieces in addition to the choreography that went with them. However, this changed as our instructor noted with the limited time we have before the performance, it would take a little more work to try to edit the pieces together. So, we have decided to do the song: "Last Dance," instead (which I think works pretty well).
So far, the choreography hasn't been so hard for me to pick up! I think it's going to be a lot of fun! I'm really looking forward to it to see what all we can accomplish, during our classes! I think all of us are starting to feel a little down as we reach the end of the semester. So, it's refreshing to be able to work on a piece that's fun, goofy, energetic, etc.
Anyway, I'm also starting to feel like I'm learning quite a bit in ballet as well! It's taken most of the semester to start feeling like I'm picking much up, but it looks like I'm starting to make some breakthroughs. Plus, I'm looking at taking some other ballet classes outside of school, which looks promising! So, next semester could be both challenging but exciting too! We'll have to wait and see!

One step forward to success,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #18 Jazz Technique III Class #18

2007-11-06T13:22:00.000-08:00

Well,
I must admit it's been a little while since I was last on here. Last week we had no jazz classes at all due to some sort of high school dance week. The dance classes were cancelled for that event. Which, I must say in a way was a relief for me as I had many other things I was worried about that week. For one thing, it was my drill weekend for the Marine Corps, and I had the Marine Corps Ball that weekend (an expensive venture, yet enjoyable nonetheless).
So, really I suppose my last official dance class to reflect on would have to be my jazz class on the Thursday prior to last week.
On that class, both myself and the other male dancer in our class both taught our choreography. I was a little nervous I must admit as I was not completly confident in my own steps. But, after observing the way my former taught, I saw that there might be hope for me. (We both had very similar styles dof teaching - both hands on, extemporaneous). I felt better as I saw the class starting to get the hang of it and enjoying it! That was rewarding for me to see that.
I can't really remember a whole lot more that we did that day as it's been a little while since then. I seem to remember we had a good stretch that day as well, as many of us were a but tight from not dancing that past Tuesday. I suppose that is all.
Striving for excelence rather than mere perfection (which can drive one insane)
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #17 Jazz Technique III Class #17

2007-10-25T14:05:00.000-07:00

The Jamba Juice Jazz Journal

Following a somewhat crazy weekend, as I aluded to in my previous journal, I returned to class on Tuesday! It was not the traditional class, as we were not meeting to dance, but rather for a mid semester council session at Jamba Juice!
It was a very pleasant day I must admit! The weather was supurb, and I was feeling good! Ballet had gone quite well that day, I had seen some real growth in class, and I was casually walking over to Jamba Juice, after a little down time at Starbucks!
How unusual it was to see my fellow dancers there in that place, in "normal clothes!" It was very relaxed, and I think we were all enjoying that very much! We had all (mostly) arrived quite early save our instructor and another dancer who were just coming from a dance class. Yet, soon we were all together standing in line ordering drinks, before settling in our chairs and one by one filing off to meet with our instructor to go over her personal assessment of our work thus far in the semester.
I'm not quite sure how I felt sitting there. At first, I think I felt a little anxious (naturally) and as I mentioned before, I was quite sure that I was about it hear that I had failed the midterm. However, to my great surprise, I had in fact not only passed but gotten 100 on the exam! That was certainly a personal confidence boost to the rest of the counciling session! And what followed too, were mostly words of encouragement. My instructor, told me that she had seen real improvedment in me over the course of the semester and that even though there were parts I wasn't getting, that over all I was really giving myself to each element of the dance! The major critisysm was, to work on smaller movements and especially to work on shifting my weight, and feeling what that felt like and learning to control my movements across the floor.
So, all in all, it was a good session! I left encouraged, yet challenged too, to continue and to continue pushing myself to another level!
Striving through the struggles ensuring success,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #16 Jazz Technique III Class #16

2007-10-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

Well,
here I am yet again, a little behind this week! I put off journaling for a couple of days, as I wasn't feeling up to it (quite honestly). Yet, times moves on, and here I find my self in need of catching things up. So....
Last Thursday's class what an adventure for me! I had so much on my mind that day, as not only did I have to take my midterm in jazz, but I also was heading up to base that weekend for my drill with the Marines!
So, that morning I packed up all the gear that I would need for base, and set it aside for when I would return home late that evening! Then, I headed off to ballet. That class went fairly well as I recall! I was actually in a rather relaxed mood as the weather had started to cool down at last, and it was pleasent to be outside! Never the less, after a brief few hours to spend catching up on things, and a haircut to prepare for drill, I was off to jazz!
That class we started out with a fairly normal stretch; although, it was a bit shorter due to the fact that we were learning a new set of choreography in addition to taking the midterm after that! The choreography was lyrical based this time with a lot of movements! Some of them were beyond my technique as far as some of the leaps and turns especially! I tried to go with it nevertheless. And then, it was time to take the midterm. I was in the first group. We had two times to perform it! I don't know what or where I was, but I was obviously not feeling connected with the music or the dance that day! I tried to do the best I could, but before I knew it it was all over, and there I was resting on the floor as I watched the second group perform the piece! How well they danced, I thought for a moment, how nice it would have been to be like that, to have had all that training to move with style and grace! But, that day I felt as though I had failed! I felt as though, I had given what little I had, and in the end it had made little difference.
As some days, this was just "another day," and I would shake it off and in time I would return to take a fresh look at myself and start again.
This was Thursday, and the weekend hadn't even begun!
Moving through a maze of emotional craze...ah these are the daze...these are the daze,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #15 The Semester so far

2007-10-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

And so, as I come to the midterm of this semester, I want to pause and reflect on where I began this semester and where I see myself now!
When I first started out, I had high hopes of what I might learn and how my dancing would develop. Yet, as the semester drew on, I discovered that I was having more challenging than breaktroughs! I felt very distant from the dream that I had made for myself! I started to really wonder if there was any hope of really persuing this dream of becoming a dancer on stage! Yet, in these recent days and weeks I have discovered a few things. For one, struggles are a part of growing as a dancer (as a performer). Without them, perhaps the growth in dance would not be nearly as delightful! Let me say it another way. One would not appreciate the discovery of their growth without first enduring the pain and hardship of failure! I think those lowest times for me emotionally as I dancer were what really caused me to look at myself and really think about who I was and what I was trying to get out of what I was doing. Initially, I found myself constantly comparing myself with my fellow dancers. I would often feel very small in comparison to these grand performers, who seemed to glide across the floor with ease, and rarely seemed to have any real struggles with their dancing. Yet, over time, I came to realize that if all I did was focus on these other dancers and how much better they were than me and continued to be jealous of what they had, and what I was lacking in, I would never have gotten anywhere! At last, however, I came to the realization that I may never be as good as them, but then again I would never be them! I was in fact holding myself back from my own potential! And so, I strived to learn from the areas that they were good at, and pluck up courage at times and ask more questions when I truly didn't understand!
Today, I had a great breakthrough in my ballet class! I was finally started to get some of the steps down in one of the phrases we had worked on for a couple of weeks! Then, at the end, we were working on leaps across the floor and the steps in between, etc! I really wasn't quite getting it down. Then, as class was letting out, one of the older more experienced dancers pulled me aside and challenged me to try the move again! Then, she proceded to break it down for me and show me step by step how it went! In the end, I not only learned each part of it better, but started to combine the steps and see them develop as a phrase! It was then that I started to see, the importance of patience and perseverence in performance! That truly gave me hope of achieving even greater things in the future!
Practice without patience and perseverence gives no perspective to performance,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #14 Jazz Technique III Class #15

2007-10-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

And so here I sit on this Thursday afternoon. The day is not nearly half over, but I feel more at ease this day than I have felt in some time! The air is crisp and there is a cool breaze rustling through the leaves on the trees! It is a delightful day to be out! Fall is quickly approaching!
Regarding Tuesday's Jazz class, it was not nearly as depressing as my ballet was earlier that day. I had a chance to reflect and catch my breath. I initially thought I was going to have to present my choriography to the class that day. I must admit that too had been weighing on me. But, alas it turned out that we were simply going to go over our midterm peice and review the three other choriographies for our final performance! This took the stress off me, as I still had a lot of work to do on my choriography. Too me places I was improvising as I didn't have anything solid down. Anyhow, that will continue to be a work in progress over the early part of next week.
I admit, that my mood the other day was quite low, and I think that it was at least good that I expressed that! I think sometimes suppressed feelings about things we feel so passionate about, is unhealthy! Even, though it may hurt or be painful to admit or share, I think it also gives one the oppertunity to seek advice from others around them and to make a better assesment of the situation. So, I will say after considering how I felt the other day, yes it was a difficult day, but no I don't think it's worthing giving up my dream of dance and performance for. I think it's minor trials like these, that give us new found strength to continue and to push even harder towards that goal that we may have. Dreams are good, even the ones that may seem initially impossible! But what we choose to do with those dreams is what really affects who we are and who we want to become! As for me, I hope to one day see myself dancing on the stage with a troope of dancers, and though I may never make it big, even to be regularly involved in productions, that would be my dream!
Enduring the difficulties in order to breathe life into the dream,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #13 Jazz Technique III Class #14

2007-10-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

Well,
here I sit shortly after my ballet class, and I'm in an ill mood. The day has been rather crazy so far, but I must say that already I'm feeling quite down, as dance hasn't gone so well today! I felt like some parts in ballet started out okay, but it got progressively, worse and worse as I went along. Quit honestly, I started to wonder if it was worth my time at all! It's difficult when you feel so far behind others who seem to easely grasp the content. Oh that I had the time to practice and to go over each and every phrase with a patient mentor to guide me along. If I had but the time to work with someone like that, I might feel as though I was starting to get it down! But for now, I feel lost, with no thought of a final performance in sight, I fear I will make a fool of myself if given the chance!
Ah, well at least I still have some hope in jazz! Although, I must admit that I'm still rather concerned about my choriography bit! It's still quite scatterbrained! I feel likeI'm rushing the steps too much and I just can't seem to get the look and feel that I want! I can imagine many different versions of the same piece in my mind's eye, but when it come to actually performing it, half of what I see I can't even do myself! Perhaps I'm a great dreamer, but simply a poor dancer! I really hope to rize above this emotional low, but it will not be easy! Some days it's much easier to dance when I feel like I'm the only one in the room! Then at least, I don't have anything to compare myself with! And despite the fact that I may not like what I see much of the time, at least, it's just me and no one else to see me make a fool of myself!
Okay, well I better go for now, I have further work to do!
Lost in the frustraitions of phrases,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #12 Jazz Technique III Class #13

2007-10-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

Well,
as I sitting here Thursday afternoon following my ballet class, I must say that I'm a little encouraged and a bit more energetic! I had the day off yesterday from work and I don't usually work Thursday mornings, so coming into ballet today, I felt more refreshed and ready to dance! As I result, I felt like the class went fairly well, and I sense that I'm making improvements there!
As far as Jazz is concerned, it continues to be a work in progress. As ballet, there are certainly elements that I do think I am improving in; although, I would also say that I have quite a ways to go in some areas! Part of it is my desire (as my ballet instructor reminded me today after class) to dance at a level that I'm not at yet! What I mean by this is, at times my impatience in coping with where I am at, and working on truly improving the fundamentals, rather than quickly running over them (struggling through them) and striving to put out at a level that I can't physically handle! I still struggle with over extending my leg beyond what I can handle! I fear sometimes I have a tendency to partially enger myself in the process of trying to over develop my technique before I have mastered it and a smaller level! I continue to need to grow in patience as well as perseverence in my form in order to improve!
On Tuesday's class, we work on my ab stretches, which really helped warm up my muscles and relax before beginning to dance! Then, we did slightly different across the floor movements! Again, though simple phrazes I think I might have rushed through them a bit! I really need to be conscious of slowly down my steps and really stretching out each phrase in the music! I can still do some larger strides, but I also need to grow in control, so that I can start out small and draw it out more! I find when I extend to my max, I have a tendency to lose control (balance, etc) and I can't really "breathe" through the steps! Enough on that.
So, we also started our second part of the choriography for our final performance! This time, we worked on a song by Britany Spears! It's a really sexy sort of song, which has a good beat to it, a little more on the side of hip hop, using those contractions of the body! It's fun though!
Anyway, that's about all I have to say for now on that!
Slow steady movements produce a strong confident performance,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #11 Jazz Technique III Class #12

2007-10-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

Well, it's another week here! Tuesday comes around again, and here I sit exausted already, while the day is nearly half over. Today was tiring to begin with, I slept better than some nights, but work was none stop! I couldn't wait to leave as I was physically spent! At least I have a train ride to catch my breath, before beginning again!
Regarding last Thursday, it too began rather chaotically. Although I didn't have to work that morning before class, I was running a little behind. I slept in that morning and, I must admit I was dragging a little to head out the door. It turned out that by the time I got to the train station, I missed the train as I arrived. The next train, was going to delay me getting to class on time, and as it turned out, it too was delayed! By the time I arrived at the station near school, I had about 10 minutes until class started and about 40 minutes until the next bus arrived to take me to school! I decided to run for it! Initially it seemed like it might work, but as I continued running the aproximate 3 miles to school with my heavy backpack and my gym bag with my dancing gear and a change of clothes (in the heat of the day) I was quite tired! I finally stepped foot in my ballet class soaking wet - but at least my body was warmed up! My instructor was a little alarmed to say the least! She was concerned that I might be sick because my face was so red! This was how the day began!
At least, after ballet, things finally began to slow down! I was now able to relax a bit and pass time between classes for the next few hours before returning for jazz!
Jazz, started out slowly, which for me is always good, because by that time of the day I'm quite tired! And then after going through a series of stretches, we got into our floor work! There were a few nuances in the phrases, but mostly the same stuff! One thing that I often observe, as I did then is that I have a since of rushing the movements that I make across the floor! Somehow, my fellow dancers seem to "float" more across the floor, keeping time, yet not appearing rushed! This is one thing I would like to master more, is learning the art of steady movement, that does not appeared rushed, yet moves to the beat of the music!
After our floor reutine, it was now time for us to learn part of or final performance peace. This was taught by one of the students in the class. She put together some choriography to a Norah Jones peace. It's fairly slow and sexy, but has I nice feel and look to it! As for my work thus far, it is still very much a work in progress, and I will need to use the whole of this week to finish it up and perfect it before teaching it next week!
So, the adventure continues, the challenges grow in some ways as I slowly sense improvement!
Progress comes at a price,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #10 Jazz Technique III Class #11

2007-10-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

As, I write this entry (Thursday afternoon, following ballet), I'm feeling a bit sick. I hope it doesn't turn into something serious. My schedule is full enough, I can't affoard to be sick!
Tuesday, was a fairly uneventful class! I must admit after awhile, I feel like one class turns into the next! Ideally it would be best if I wrote immediately after class, as to truly express my feelings about class! I think for the most part it went well! I was quite tired on Tuesday (which alas seems to be the norm for Tuesdays this semester). Long, daze beginning at 3:30am and going (in this case) until about 1ish (in the AM of course!)
Aside from that, there were some areas that I felt slowly were improving! I think I am getting a bit more confident in my form, but I still sense at times that I have a tendency to over extend and struggle too with keeping my core centered! Likely one of my greatest challenges still, is mastering a basic turn, and continuing to improve on my spotting! In times past, it seemed as though I had greatly improved, but somehow this semester, that is not the case!
If I were to reflect once again at where I am now, and where I have come from, I would say that yes, I have made progress! But, I do think too, that I busy schedule, full of this and that, causes me to feel more stressed than composed when I dance. I have great desires to see myself achieve things, and yet I don't feel like I have the time or the energy to see those desires realized! Perhaps it's just a bad semester!
As far as personal goals are concerned, I would still very much like to see my strength develop in keeping my center balanced! I think that I need to relax more and not think so much about what I'm doing! Even, if I don't fully understand the step, I should at least strive to emulate what I know of what I've learned! Like a skeliton, if I can slowly work on perfecting the structure the other minute elements will over time fall into place! As my ballet instructor puts it, it becomes more difficult when one tries to "intelectuallize" the movements within a phraze!
So, it continues to be a challenge. Yet, without a challenge, it would not be worth the effort!
Striving for exellence in the simple steps,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #9 Jazz Technique III Class #10

2007-10-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

As I sit here relaxing at the computer here in the library on campus, I'm reflecting on Jazz last Thursday. Like many classes it was a little while before we started as we were waiting to see who all would show up. It was not too small this time. We had five this time, which is pretty good considering.
This time, we focused on more floor moment, starting on the floor and striving to stay there. In essence, we were glued to the floor. That was the best way to imagine it in order to put the movements in pirspective. Prior to some of these movements, we focused some of our stretching on the abs and back. It takes a lot of core strength to smoothly keep youself "glued" to the floor when you're dancing! It's quite the incredible challenge to maintain this in a way that is not chopping or rough. The tendency was to fall into the floor rather than roll into it in such a way that allows gravity to do most of the work. In a way you really have to think about it when you are trying to control your movements on the floor!
Though it was a challenge doing those phrases, I enjoyed it! It gave me a new appreciation for what it takes to do what may appear to an average observer a fairly simple movement on the floor. It's looks easy because the dance has a lot of strength, and especially controlled movements.
After we did that we just mainly spent some time working on one of our latest choriographies. The movements were rather fast, and these past few weeks I've overextended my leg on some of the moves. This time I really tried to focus on control more rather than height! That will come in time!
As we started to wrapped up, we discussed what we would be doing for our final performance. The assignment is for each of us to take four to eight eight beat phrases and choriograph them on our own to some music of our choice. This is an exciting oppertunity to colaborate on our final performance! Although, this past week, I must admit it's been a real challenge trying to put some phrases together! I can picture a lot of choriography, but I can't execute a lot of it! So, I'm trying to focus on somewhat simpler movements that I like, but can also execute confidently myself. This is key, as I will have to teach it to the rest of the class on Thursday! So, I still have a lot of work to do there, but I'm enjoying it!
And I suppose that about does it for this entry!
Art without it's challenges and complexities is not art at all,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #8 Jazz Technique III Class #9

2007-09-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

Once, again I find myself sitting here on a Thursday afternoon following my ballet class, and reviewing in my mind what I did in Jazz on Tuesday. I resolve that this likely will remain my habbit to the very end of the semester.
Class, began a little later, as a result of the small number of dancers to show up to class. On that note, it seems as though our class of "regularly" attending dancers has dwendled to but only three to four, from the beginning dozen or so. Yet, I suppose in a way, for me, that's good as I get more time to spend working on my technique and more valueable time spent one on one with the instructor.
The number this past Tuesday was uncommon five - though not unwelcome. We started off with a good period of stretchs before progressing into some movements across the floor. We did a slightly different reutine this time. This time the focus was more on fast energetic movements that come from the core and work outward. From one phrase moving outward and into the next moving upward and around, side to side. My only problem here was the turns, which still is a weak point for me. Also, I noticed this past period too, that I was overextending my legs on some movements, which caused me to pull some muscles in my lower back, as my inner thigh muscles are still developing a more flexable state. This has been a bit of a frustration with me, as I have a great desire to improve in my form, but in exchange I realize that I'm not physically developed at the level of many of the other more advanced/experienced dancers around me. So, I need to continue to work on being patient with myself, and focusing on trying to get the movement right, even if it's not at my max potential level. This will take time and perseverence, but if I give it the time it needs, it will improve.
After, our across the floor work, we came center and added a bit to what we did the week before. Some of the movements in this chreography are more energetic and fast like the floor movements. Yet, inspite of the quickness, it's quite fun, once mastered. Again, I feel that I will improve more if I bring my level of extention down without compromising my level of intensity! It will be interesting to see how this develops today!

Often a work in progress,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #7 Jazz Technique III Class #8

2007-09-25T12:32:00.001-07:00

Well, as I return back to another week of classes, as has often become my custom of late, I am reflecting on the past week! In this case, I only went to class on Thursday, as Tuesday I got very little sleep the night before and had to get up around 3:45AM to head off to work at Starbucks before going to class. As a result of my lack of sleep the night before, I decided it would be better to take the day off from classes after I got off work, so as to catch up on sleep!
Upon returning, Thursday, class was a bit unusual, in the sense that their were only three students, so we did class a little differently. I would have to say, that I actually liked that class more than some classes in the past. Especially for me as it gave me the opportunity to have more instructor attention than in other previous classes. As I may have mentioned before, the one thing as an aspiring carreer dance performer, I constantly see a great need to improve in my technique. It seems to me that regardless of the types of movements, and the difficulty in each step or series of steps, the key is found in the execution. If I focused more on simpler steps, perhaps I might sense more progess in my dancing technique as a whole. I feel often in some dance classes like this one, that I learn a lot of choriography, but rarely really get a chance to work on my own personal technique and execution of steps. At some point in my classes (in the future) I would really like to have at least one class that is purely focused on technique. I think that that would improve so much more of what I do as a dancer. I already feel in a small way that I am making progress as a dancer by taking a ballet class for the first time.
I digress a bit, but I think it was important to touch on a few personal observations there.
So, on Thursday, there were three of us. One thing I enjoyed quite a bit was the fact that we were able to do a lot more in the class and focus much more time on each of us getting the movements down. I felt more confident in myself as I didn't feel rushed in my executions. I felt like I was able to truly take the time I needed to learn the steps and also, correct them as I went. I suppose, this would be one of my desires for the remainder of the semester, that I would be able to spend more time on individual movements and phrases so as to perfect my overall execution and technique. I have enjoyed learning various types of choriography, and I must admit I'm learning to get the steps down faster than I would have in the past. Yet, still I would desire more inidividual time as we go in correction of technique.
I suppose that really sums up most of this past week! As I look ahead to the start of another class and another week, I truly hope I can continue to grow as a dancer and a performer!

Often striving for improvement,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #6 Jazz Technique III Class #6

2007-09-20T12:55:00.000-07:00

Following on the wings of the former entry, I will try to briefly summarize what all happened in my last jazz class (for me) last Thursday! One thing I remember quite well: I was VERY TIRED! In fact, I believe ALL of us were tired that day! The weather was a bit grim too, which did not add to the ambiance of the evening class.
Yet, as if knowing what to do, our teacher (in similar emotional state) started off the class with a slower set of stretching mainly revolving around the abs and glutes. Then, we started doing some of our regular floor work; which, I observed of myself, I was quite confident in (at last)! I didn't feel the pressure, I have often felt, of comparing myself with my fellow dancers. Instead, I was dancing and I was watching myself and striving to focus on my own movements and improving them, rather than trying to focus on others and how they performed the movement.
Then, as we moved on to a new set of choreography to a new piece of music (more hip hopish), I felt again a new surge of confidence in my being! I was getting it! True, I was making some mistakes off and on, but for the most part, I was tracking and I was able to focus on characterizing the choreography with my own expression of it's movements!
The class continued in this fashion until we ended for the day. It was truly a good day! Although earlier that day I had felt quite down emotionally, and lacking in energy, I had triumphed at the very end when I most needed it! It was a joy to be a dancer that day!
Sometimes surprised by the unexpected pleasures of peformance,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #5 Jazz Technique III Class #5

2007-09-20T12:41:00.001-07:00

As, I write this I am reminded how long it's been since I last wrote a journal! So bare with the scatterbrained account! I will strive to recap what happened that day.
I recal that we were a bit of a smaller class. I was the only male dancer present that day and the lights in the studio were nearly all out, and none of us knew how to turn them on, as the switch is not in the room. Anyhow, it made for an interesting class.
We started off with our usual warm up excercises and then moved on to or center work. To start off that day, we did a more lyrical piece. It was a little different for me, as I have not taken any formal lyrical classes, so it was a little harder to follow. However, I did note that the movements were a bit slower; which, helped me to pick up the choreography a little bit faster. That type of dance is more "emotional" in nature and seems more "heart-felt" than the other forms of dance I have done.
After that, we did some floor work, moving across the room. I don't remember all the details of what we did, but I felt a little more confident that day.
I have observed of myself that this semester in both of my dance classes has been a little more challenging than semesters past. I think part of it obviously is due to some of the classes being a little more challenging as they get more advanced. Also, some of it is related to the fact that I have such a busy schedule outside of class this semester, that causes me to feel very drained (of energy) some days when I come to class; so, it's a little harder in that regard as well. As a result of that latter comment, I actually skipped class on Tuesday of this week (in which I write) as I got about an hour and a half of sleep the night before and then had to get up at around four in the morning to open at my store before coming into class. And so, I opted not to come to class, as I felt that I really wouldn't be physically in any mood to dance, nor whould I gain as much due to my exausted state. So, that's a brief look at where I've been of late.
I suppose, I'll finish this entry out now by saying that surely with a bit more of a ballanced schedule I will build more confidence in myself and feel more prepared for class. And, in turn, I believe I will accomplish more and learn more, as a result.
Grasping a hold of what remains of my sanity,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Journal #4 Jazz Technique III Class #4

2007-09-11T12:40:00.000-07:00

Once again, as is often the case I find myself sitting here after my ballet class looking back to last Thursday, trying to remember what all we did in Jazz Technique III the week before. I seem to remember coming to class feeling okay, although perhapas a little anxious about what all we would cover in class! Especially because, I remember that last class or so I was rather frustrated with not picking up some of the coriography etc.
This class, we started doing a little bit different floor work with some new turns and jumps. I think the one thing I still obserce about my dancing is that I rarely have much time to practice on my own some of the moves that we covered in class! Often the move is taught, and then I feel like I'm really struggling through the reutine to try and get it down. I'm lucky at the end if I do get it, but often by them I'm rather humbled by those around me who obviously have much more experience than I, so picking up a new move, or perhaps not so new, is not so difficult.
Whatever the case, I continue to fight against myself in trying to focus on myself and getting better some days and not trying to always compare myself with those around me. I can do this stuff, but I get confused sometimes and often (even on the simplist of moves) I can make mistakes as I usually have to go through it a couple times before really feeling confident in what I'm doing! Perhaps, I'm too timid at times to really try hard enough and not focus on the outcome. I think that may be what holds me back sometimes and can add to my discouragement, is that fact that I am too concerned about making a mistake rather than trying to get the move down (no matter what mistakes it may take to get there).
So, it continues to be a lesson in personal discepline to not be concerned with the speed or the level of ability I have in comparison to others! I can do these steps, but it may take awhile to truly grasp them and to feel confident in myself to achieve them! Time and practice develop the technique, which eventually is obtained.
Aside from these struggles, I am enjoying the class! I am enjoying the challenge of learning new steps, new coriography. I'm enjoying learning to push myself to new heights to get down the material. It will be interesting to see in the coming months how I develop in my dance and what improvements I make. My goal is to learn a few common steps and to learn them well, to have cofident in a few basic reutines, and perhaps too to be able to find one step that is more challenging that I can continue to work on and improve throughout the semester!

Journal #3 Jazz Technique III Class #3

2007-09-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

As, we return to this journal, may I begin on the wings of the first original entry, which I must say was rather depressing (even for me). Although, I think it was important that I did honestly convey my feelings in that journal, I do also want to move on with more hope and with a more positive outlook! So, on that note, I begin.
The third class, I felt excited, though a bit concerned too as I remembered how the first day of dance had gone! I felt left behind and lost in the dust of my fellow dancers. One with "arms flailing" about! I did not want to remain this way! And I must say that I think part of it was quite honestly a bit of my own stage fright. Though, I have never been one too awkward in front of a large audience or even a smaller one for that matter. I know that in all of us, still a little bit a fright exists, especially when starting out cold!
As we began that class, shortly after finishing our warm up exercises! I felt that feeling again! I was afriad, I was frustrated, I was self conscious of my own movements! And, then I started to realize what part of my fear was! I was trying to be like everyone else! I was trying to feel at ease, and relaxed! But, I was far from that! I did not feel relaxed! Part of this was due to the fact, that I was not at the same level as the rest of the dancers were! I was trying to force myself to do what I could not naturally do! So then, I decided to try to focus more on my own steps; and, to remember what I had learned and apply it at my pace and my intensity! And, though I still made mistakes, I found that I got a little better! I started to see, that it really wasn't so difficult as all that!
I think if to this point in all of my dance classes, if I have learned one thing, it is to take everything at your own pace. There is a lot of information that is being thrown at you! The first thing you have to remember, is that there is no way you will remember it all! No matter how hard you try, it won't work! So, rather than letting that get the best of you, you need to focus on the simpler things! What things are you actually learning (that being, what are you retaining: remembering). Once you've figured that out, grasp onto those things, and strive to perfect them! If you're learning a whole phrase and you only know part of it! Yes, the first few times try to learn all the steps, but while your trying to keep up with everyone, try to focus on perhaps the first few steps or the last few, or the middle few -something that connects them all together! That way, if you have to slow it down and stretch it out a little, you still are making it work! Then, when you have a spare moment, pull someone aside, or the teacher if there's time and ask them to repeat the steps to you on your own time! Because often, when dealing with students at multiple levels of ability in a class, if a weaker student asks several questions on what may be something rather basic for the rest of the class, it can keep the other students from moving on! Although, on the other hand, it too can be important for the sake of technique for the more advanced students to brush up on the more simplistic steps, in order for them to improve their more advanced routines. Yet, I realize that often, one cannot have it both ways, and more often that not, the former example takes precedent over the latter!
This all to say, that thus far, I have learned what I know and what I need to learn! It is often a strenuous process, but one that is important in order to progress into even more challenging material! And so, as I leave this entry I look ahead with eager anticipation to what todays class holds in store! And without a doubt, it will be both challenging and exciting (if I strive to let it be)!

Journal #2 Jazz Technique III Class #1

2007-09-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I must admit this is a little backwards as I mentioned before in my first journal entry, but I wanted to write down all that I remembered and felt in my first official jazz dance class starting on the second day. But in order to get in my full number of journals for each week, I need to back up and reflect back to my immediate feelings about my first initial class!
As, I recall arriving to class that first Tuesday evening, I was full of excitement! I couldn't wait to start class! I quickly went into the locker room and changed into my jazz dance attire. And, I rushed off to the class! I found out only a few minutes later, that it was not meeting in the main studio, but the secondary one. And, I was a little frustrated to find out that there was a class meeting before mine in that studio (in both studios for that matter), so I would not be able to stretch and warm up inside! So, as is often the frustration on this campus for most "serious" dancers (I must infer) one must wait and or just stretch and practice somewhere in the halls! Ah, the fun!
So, that is what I did! I practiced a few moves across the hall, as I eagerly awaited the class before mine to get out! Then, (at last) it was time to go into the studio! I was a little surprised at first to find only a few dancers there! Unlike my ballet class, which is quite large (a group of all levels of dance) this one was made up of at most 10-12 (Which, later even in that first class, shrunck to smaller than that!)
As, our instructor made her way into the class from her other dance class, she informed us that we would not be dancing that day, but rather going over the logistics and administrative stuff for the first class. Alas, I was a little disappointed, but not entirely surprised! It was the first day, and I was just a little too eager to step out onto that floor!
Yet, after filling out a health form, establishing role, etc. We started to get into the details of what we would be covering over the semester as we went through the syllabus. Although, I mentioned I was a bit disappointed with initially finding out that we would not be dancing that day, I must say that my appetite was rather whetted as we began to discuss the agenda for the class!
It was not to be a "traditional" jazz class, that meaning one that followed the regular form of jazz. But rather, it would be one that used a variety of techniques that were collaborated into one class (a little scatter-brained sounding to me)! Yet, none the less, I got the idea it would certainly be quite the adventure, and likely well worth it!
And so it has turned out to be thus far and adventure! Certainly, it has not been easy; but, what easy thing is worthwhile? Merely, with time and practice, patience and perseverance, one achieves their goal of learning and bettering themselves in the art of education.
Upon this point, I end my prologue to the class.

Journal # 1 Jazz Tech III Class #2

2007-08-30T19:56:00.000-07:00

Well, here we begin another semester of Jazz dance! This semester my instructor is requiring us to submit two journal entries a week about our class! So, even though this chronologically is out of order, this is my first journal entry for the class.
Today, Thursday, August 30th was our first official class to actually step out onto the floor and start dancing! I must admit for me, it was rather rough! I was very excited leading up to class, I couldn't wait to begin! Yet, as the class period progressed, my motivation and enthusiasm decreased. I had forgotten many of the steps from last semester and I also had forgotten how slow physically I learn choreography.
So, I must admit I was rather embarrassed among my fellow dancers when the teacher had us begin with a basic routine across the floor! I felt completely uncoordinated and far less confident and relaxed as my fellow dancers appeared in comparison to me.
Honestly, I felt rather defeated! At times, I didn't feel like continuing at all, because I knew as I continued to make mistakes I'd feel more and more self-conscious and it would get harder and harder to simply focus on just trying to emulate what I saw. The last thing I wanted to do was see myself in the mirror, that tall lanky one with arms and legs flailing wildly in the air. I was more comical than coordinated! I mused perhaps I would be the relief, the example of what not to do, or how not to execute a move.
True all this sounds very dull and depressing, but I must admit this was how I felt! Here, I stood with miles of vast dreams ahead of me! I had always dreamed as a small child of being some great performer and dancer like the Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly! And yet, in a moment it all was brought back to me! I would never be like that, because I never had the opportunity to learn dance at such an early age as they had. I would only be a mediocre dancer at best; one slightly above the average fellow off the streets.
Hope was still far off on the horizon. I knew that only I could achieve my goal if I stuck with it, if I forgot about what others saw or what others thought! Because this was MY LIFE and I was going to be a DANCER! I was going to live my dream and NO ONE could stop me! If I made mistakes I wouldn't let it bother me or bring me down! I would simply push myself through the class! And then when no one was there to see me or criticize me, I would practice and I would practice! I would sweat out every inch of my mistakes and I would slowly gain that confidence as I learned the steps - each one at a time. I would start to feel the rhythm - I didn't have to imagine myself going through the steps, I would be doing them. And then I would be doing them so well that I felt comfortable doing them in the class! And then maybe I would be able to get on that stage in front of that audience and confidently perform for them what I had slaved to learn that whole semester. I was beginning to see that there was hope, that there was a chance I would see my dream realized!
Of course it may not happen over-night! How could it, my life was certainly not like all the plays and musicals I had grown up seeing! It was something real! I had troubles, and made mistakes, but I also learned how to conquer my fears and finally feel... feel what I had always wanted to feel: that I was a dancer, yes I was a dancer and no one would forget it!

Beginning Ballet

2007-08-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

What can I say, today I began ballet
Although today we didn't get a chance to dance
That will come soon enough no need to advance
Jazz follows later tonight
I hope it goes all right
But until then
I will head out to spend a buck
At Starbucks

Just Jazzin,
The Jazzin Jarhead

Patron of the Arts

2007-05-28T18:01:00.000-07:00

This past Friday evening, I had the pleasure of attending a dance recital for some of the dancers that come into my Starbucks! It was a great show getting to see them perform! Afterward, I was able go back stage and congratulate a few of them! Well done dancers, I look forward to seeing you dance in the future!

Whether dancing or distracted by it,
The Dancing Devil Dog

Dancing N'Sync

2007-05-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome, to this first official blog entry of the Dancing Devil Dog! Throughout this journey, we will see the many adventures that surround this javin jarhead.
To begin I will look back on this most recent event - last weekend our dancing showcase at Collin County Community College (Quad C from now on).
We had spent the majority of last week and the last few months preparing for our final dance show. So, needless to say, we were a little excited not only to perform, but also to be finished with another semester!
And I must say that in comparison to my previous dance class, this one seemed to really grow into a close group of friends that really has become more like family!
Our first performance was Thursday night! It was likely for most of us the least enjoyable, as it many of us were frustrated with one another off and on and ready to get out there and perform! Although, I would say that we did not put on as good a performance that night as the following night!
Friday, turned out to be a better night, partially because it was our last performance, but also because many of us had more friends and family show up that night! So, I do believe that was on our minds a bit, and to me it seemed like our energy was just a bit more than the night before!
It was sad after the performance to know that the semester was almost over and that Saturday morning would be our last official class!
Although, rumor has it that we may be starting our own dance ensemble over the summer! So, in fact, this may not be the end, but merely the beginning!
Stay tuned for all the latest updates from,

The Dancing Devil Dog

Check Out Pics From The Show!