that’s slightly redundant, but it’s helpful to think of this as a chance for new things — especially among so many old familiar ones. Same place. Many of the same people. But hopefully a lot of the new and unfamiliar.
#1 in the new category is my first independent choreographic endeavor outside of Emory:
We begin rehearsals this weekend, so I’m busily brainstorming and getting the images out of my head and onto paper so I don’t forget. The space gets me more and more excited each time I walk into it. It’s so complex and beautiful. There are millions of possibilities 
#2 in the new category is new jobs. I’ve started teaching dance for three schools/organizations in Atlanta. Classes have already begun at the Lawrenceville School of Ballet. The people who work there are great, especially the woman who now runs the Southern Ballet Theater (a pre-professional company housed at LSOB). The kids are full of energy and not badly behaved at all. My first year of teaching (with the kids program at Spelman) involved a lot of work on discipline and attention. My second year was at a “dolly dinkle” type of studio, which challenged me to try to give something more than they might normally receive while keeping the “dance is funfunfun” atmosphere that they prefer. But at LSOB I’m seeing a balance that I like. The kids respect their teachers are excited to be there, and I’m getting to do a nice balance of technique and fun with them. I’m teaching a group of 4/5 year olds, a group of 5/6 year olds and a Ballet I class. I’m most excited about Ballet I because I get to be the base to their ballet technique. When I say excited, I mean nervous as all hell…that’s a big task, creating a foundation for them (while keeping it fun!). But it’s a challenge I’m ready for. I know their future training will be solid, so I want to match this class up with that. I’m hoping to develop their vocabulary, give them the outside tools they need (worksheets w/pictures and terms, etc), and balance this knowledge with the physical knowledge of ballet as well.
I’m also teaching at a new studio in Eastpoint called the Phoenix Performing Arts Center. I am their main ballet/jazz instructor and am teaching Beg/Int and Int/Adv Ballet and Lyrical/Jazz classes. Totally pumped about that. It seems that a number of high schools (grady high school included) are having to cut their dance programs from the school curriculum, so the director expects to receive many of the schools’ dance team students.
And the last place I’m teaching has me doing Adult ballet and jazz classes up in Sandy Springs. Another new challenge. What a variety of classes!
#3 in the new category is new kittens!!!
Their names are Cletus and Sir Paul McCatney (we call him Paul). Cletus has no tail and is our little down home country bumpkin. He is famous for his squeal of death. Paul is a friendly attention hog and likes to give kisses. Both purr like there’s no tomorrow and wreck our computer cords.
And the rest of the “new” has yet to come. We’ll see…
