Valerie

The Transition Stage

The transition into being a professional dancer is a perplexing one. It’s kind of like Britney’s “not a girl, not yet a woman” but you don’t sing about it while wearing bell bottoms and standing on a cliff. Or [...]

December 11, 2013 0 0

You Can Only Be Better Than Your Previous Self

Arts Inspiration

I don’t often talk about my struggles in dance – or in life for that matter. Why? Because everyone struggles with different things, and I’d rather live a positive life than one that focuses on negativity. But sometimes I [...]

October 9, 2013 1 0

Happy One Year, NYC

Arts Inspiration New York

A year ago today, I showed up in Astoria with my life in a U-haul. Also in tow was my cat – Morgan – who was coming out of sedation. That was an experience in itself; poor Morgan. I can’t believe it’s been a year [...]

September 7, 2013 0 0

A Look Back in Time

Arts Family Inspiration New York

I had a great childhood. I was a little blonde pipsqueak who was stubborn and goofy – a Daddy’s girl with my mom’s determination. I guess some things never change, right? I was never super “girly”. I have two [...]

July 31, 2013 0 0

Memories Live Within the Heart

Family Inspiration

I remember the first time she forgot that I was her granddaughter. And I can tell you exactly where I was sitting the last time I heard her say “I love you.” You see, I have these memories because my beautiful grandmother, Meemaw, [...]

June 23, 2013 1 0

Back to Reality

Inspiration New York

This past week, my family finally went on another vacation together. It had been years since the last time we had all been able to get together like that. Between my brothers doing internships and me going to summer intensives, we just [...]

June 15, 2013 1 0

Seeing Someone Differently

Arts Inspiration New York

I believe everyone has a passion in life. Whether or not they discover it – or pursue it – is a different story. What an amazing creation it is when a person finds what truly makes them come alive. Even more, how lucky we [...]

May 13, 2013 1 1

Seven Months In

Arts Inspiration New York

I’ve been in NYC for just a little over seven months now, and sometimes I can’t believe that I actually get to live here and don’t have to leave any time soon. I do hate to admit, however, that sometimes I take it for granted. [...]

April 23, 2013 0 0

Auditions Upon Auditions

Arts Inspiration New York

One hundred twenty-four dancers stand along the sides of three of the walls in the studio. Chairs are placed front and center on the fourth wall that house the eyes intensely watching as six of the dancers perform the choreography they learned [...]

April 8, 2013 0 0