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To The Pointe
When I was a student dancer, I was always curious about why some of the most talented dancers never went anywhere with their talent and careers. The overriding reason I learned was that they were not persistent in their training. They came to class late, or not at all. In rehearsal, they shone due to their natural talent, but were soon injured and sidelined. The body has a “mind” of its own. Youth and talent will sustain you, but for a short time. If you develop good training habits as a student dancer, you will have them throughout your life, and not just in dance. Most successful dancers have strong study habits and are honor roll students. Persistent training will overcome most of the challenges posed by talent and body, and the joy of personal accomplishment earned will be a reward beyond explanation. Persistently attend your dance classes on time or early. Vacations and time off are fine, even beneficial for your body, but when you train, train. The exercises are built one upon another. If you miss fifteen minutes of class, your body has missed fifteen minutes of physical training that prepares it for the next progression in class. Your body will suffer and slowly start to rebel. I want my students to be happy, healthy dancers reaching their maximum potential, but this can be hindered by impersistent and inconsistent class attendance during their training periods. One of my personal goals in focusing on excellent training for young and beginning dancers is to provide them with a solid foundation of habits. The habits developed there last throughout their lives. It is the most critical period in a young dancer's training life. Habits learned early on, both good and bad, tend to persist. Excellent training is a fantastic experience for young dancers, and thoroughly enjoyable. The instructors that the Dancenter provides are among the best. Persistence is probably the most crucial element to success. Calvin Coolidge said it best-
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On!' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
Robert Thomas
Owner & Executive Director
Robert Thomas Dancenter
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