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A HUGE THANK YOU FROM
MS. MAGGIE & AURORA DANCE ARTS!
AAAAAND JUST LIKE THAT…IT’S A WRAP!!!
On behalf of myself, my incredible staff & our talented students, we would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU to EVERYONE that came out to our culmination performances of the 2022-2023 dance year of the Continuous Dance Program, which included our Pre Level Recital, “Marvelous Mother Goose & Other Stories” & our two nights of Beg-Adv Level Recitals, “A Night at the Movies.” We are so proud that we were able to perform to sold out houses for all shows & we are equally proud of how amazing all of our dancers were! Thank you so much for sharing in our joy.
With each passing year, I grow more & more reflective during Recital season…and this year gives me true pause. 2023 is our 50th Anniversary year of Aurora Dance Arts. 50 years!!! I cannot express how humbling & awe inspiring it is to be a part of the legacy of such a magical program that seeks to provide dance education & opportunity for anyone & everyone that just wants to twirl. Our Spring Recitals this year were the kick-off of our year-long celebration of this milestone & what a kick-off they were! From climbing our way back from the global pandemic to our program’s former esteem, to holding the shows in a fantastic new venue at Vista Peak Preparatory H.S., to watching multiple generations share the stage & wow audiences…it felt like we are finally back…actually, like we’re even better than before!
So much emotion & love filled the theater. Every aspect of what dance is about was present. Our tiniest dancers taking their first steps in sparkling costumes & falling in love for the first time with the stage & the audience. Our beginning & intermediate dancers sharing their joy & growing in literal leaps/bounds before our very eyes. Our advanced dancers bringing power, passion & prowess to the stage with new levels of artistry & quality to their dancing that was soul-filling to watch. Our beautiful adult dance classes who were just stunning & who served as a fabulous reminder that dance is for everybody…any age, any level! We watched with awe as some of our graduating seniors took their final ADA bows & shared their hearts under the stage lights. We cried very real & profound tears during some of our specialty dedication works by Ms. Minda & Ms. Michelle. And so much creativity in all shows from our incredible teaching staff…they never cease to amaze me with their beautiful talent for musicality, movement, artistic excellence, costume choice & truly, pure love for their art form & for their students. Their routines this year were next level! And huge kudos & thanks to all of our parents that love their children & our program so passionately to give of themselves as ushers & backstage helpers. It takes a village of the teachers, my administrative staff, incredible tech support, parent volunteers & a huge amount of dedication, patience, passion & joy. It all happens so fast, in a flurry of quick changes, bobby pins & headpieces, tights, shoes, sweat, smiles, tears, flowers, hugs, squeals & applause…and it’s a family affair, because Aurora Dance Arts is really, just one big “dance family”…and our family keeps growing better every single year.
I’d like to share a quote with you that seemed to sum up the importance of dance learning in a nutshell by dance educator, Rhee Gold –
“Children who dance have the chance to immerse themselves in the joy that music and movement brings to their soul. In a post-pandemic world, I firmly believe that this is precisely what every child, and even adults need! Consider the invaluable benefits: not only do these young dancers participate in a physical activity that brings them happiness, but they also gain life lessons that extend far beyond the dance studio. Determination, discipline, commitment, and a profound understanding of what it means to be passionate about something are just a few of the virtues they develop from the guidance of exceptional mentors, leaders, and teachers. For parents, it is a dream come true! Moreover, dance serves as a respite from the constant lure of cell phones and other devices that consume children’s attention. It provides precisely the balance they need in their lives. Enjoy the journey!”
My heart feels like the Grinch’s, like it grew three sizes during Recital weekend…like I almost don’t have space in my chest to hold all the love I feel. And what could be a greater feeling than that? As we close the curtain on these particular performances, I feel truly reminded of what is at the heart of dance…dance is primal & emotional…it allows us to express our most sincere selves when words are simply not enough. It creates community, discipline, friendship, dedication, release, joy & passion for something outside of ourselves. It is happiness & it is healing. It’s personally one of the truest & deepest loves of my life, as I know it is for all of the members of our staff, and I can only hope that our students take a piece of that love with them in their hearts always. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for a spectacular year of dance, for being a part of our dance family, for sharing in our joy & for choosing Aurora Dance Arts for dance education. Here’s to another 50 & FABULOUS years!!!
And finally, we would like to let you know that we tried to capture some awesome images of all of your dancers this weekend at Recital. We have created two Albums on our Facebook page at Facebook.com/CityofAuroraArtsEducation. There is one for anyone who performed in "Marvelous Mother Goose & Other Stories" & one for all performers combined of both nights of the "Night at the Movies" Beg-Adv Recital. Please feel free to save those & share as you like!
With love, light & immense gratitude,
~Ms. Maggie & the Staff of Aurora Dance Arts
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