The innocence of youth

As I promised...
It's time to go over the great things that young dancers bring into the family.
While we older dancers are long past the innocence of youth.  We get reminders by the constant influx of young dancers and what they bring.
One of the biggest things that they bring is the wide-eyed wonder at the world they have just waltzed into.
Everything to them, is shiny and new..  overwhelming even. We watch them hungrily gobble up music, costumes, styles, videos and inspiration... all done with the kind of gusto that only a starving soul can bring.
It's all done at a maddening pace.
So much so, that we often get caught up in the excitement again with them.  It's infectious.

They bring a kind of silliness with them too, where they are pairing strange music and movements that many seasoned dancer might frown on... pairing 9/8 music with 4/4 steps.
All too often, the seasoned dancer gets caught up in the criticism of it.... and forgets that for the younger dancer this is the equivalent of a baby finding their toes for the first time.
We forget that they will grow out of this odd pairing as they gain more experience.

Watching a young dancer, who is so excited for this new thing they have found... Should be reminding us that we were that way too...  no matter how long ago.
Some of us watch them patiently stumble and fall on the road to finding their own niche in this vast community.
We desperately need to remember that we did too...  We weren't always so good at selecting music, costumes or even putting on enough make up. 

When it comes to watching my younger "sisters" perform.  I prefer to sit back with no judgment and watch her explore and experiment with this new form of expression.
I understand when they are all wound up before a show or other event..  just bubbling over with excitement and trepidation.


There is so much that we can learn from the most inexperienced of dancers...  Just sit back and watch next time. Let go of all your expectations for her and watch her blossom.  It's amazing.