The What, the why

Taking some inspiration from my amazing friend Megan, I thought I'd take some time before I go to bed just to write a little about some of the things that I did to further my art today.  My day started with teaching: a dance class of varied levels of ability haha, and then some private students.  I started with one new student today, and it reminded me of the incredible responsibility it is to teach.  Every time someone tells me their goals as an artist for the first time, no matter how different they are from mine, or how large or small, I think "Val, you better bring it, this person is counting on you to know more than they do and to guide them through new things.  Get it together." The next thought is inevitably about the many amazing (or not-so-amazing) teachers that have taught me solid technique, artistry, and the skills I needed to teach myself some things.  Then I just pray that I can give, without compromise, all that I was given and all that I wish I would have gotten before... I don't know, before I went to college, or moved to New York, or ... got to be this age? I love teaching, it pushes me to be the expert. I've learned so much from it, the most important thing being that I know nothing haha.. 

Later I worked on a slightly more artistic rendering of an exercise my amazing business coach, Emily Grace, had me work on a couple weeks ago.  The exercise was originally just for acting but I've been wanting to apply principles to other facets of my career.  I only have Acting and Songwriting so far, but I actually think I need to do a teaching one. 

I also made some songwriting goals for the next 3 months... they're pretty serious, and there's a lot to accomplish.  But I believe I can do it.  It'll be worth it.  And hopefully you all will enjoy it  enough to purchase things that I create haha. 

Lastly, tonight I went to a dance class.  I teach at this studio so I can take complimentary class, and the director is amazing!  I'm learning so much from her about how to be a positive business leader.  She loves and knows absolutely everyone and she's constantly checking in with people on both their personal and professional lives.  Recently I ran into her and she asked me "How are all your classes going? Do you have any questions? ... Are you happy?"... I've never had an employer ask me that before.  It's amazing what that does for me as an employee.  I am happy, but if I weren't I would know that it would matter to her, and that makes me want to stay, and observe her mission statement for the studio and be a really great teacher, because she's a really great boss. 

After class I was just jotting down some ideas about positive things from her class I'd want to integrate into mine, and I got thinking about all the amazing dancers there.  They could easily be working in New York, they have all the skills.  I keep having the thought that we should have a business seminar for all of them, to give them an idea of what the city is like - one of those things I wish I would have understood better (or paid more attention to).  And when I thought about what I might say I started crafting this... 

"Passion is more important than success.  Let PASSION drive you and SUCCESS will rush beneath your feet and lie obliterated in the wake of your JOY." 

... I don't know.. is it cheesy? 

Well, it's been a good day... time for bed.  Tomorrow will be great as well :)