I Love It.

I love what I do. Even when it strikes my body and mind useless from fatigue. The past few days have presented themselves with a blur of activities from teaching, to performing, to rehearsing, to lecturing. And of course, much time in the car.

On Thursday, Laura and I found ourselves back in High Point for my classes at HPU, albeit temporarily. Laura decides to participate in my tap class. I do not have an extra pair of tap shoes, but I lend Laura my flamenco shoes. Along with my students, Laura concentrates, moves and laughs out loud as we move through our warm ups, progressions and combination work. At the end of class, I give my students an out of class assignment, to be completed while I am finishing out my obligations at NC State this coming Monday-Wednesday. They must each find a piece of percussive music, analyze that music and create a tap phrase inspired by the rhythm of that music. Many of the students seem excited about this assignment, which will soon turn into a larger piece for the class. I have to admit, I am excited to see what they come up with! I then have the opportunity to send my contemporary class away with an assignment, too. The students made some seed movement inspired by some random adjectives, dynamic direction and spatial patterns. I have split the seven students into two groups, and each group must create a large, unison phrase based on the seed movement each individual member brings to the group. I can't wait to see what they've come up with!

Thursday evening, Laura and I conduct a dorm program workshop for residents of the arts village at NC State. We talk to the students about aspects of collaborative work, and we do some on-the-fly arting. The burritos provided for the program are a perk, too! We have a blast getting to know this varied group of students; philosophers, mathematicians, environmental scientists, fashion designers, graphic artists, visual artists and more. They enjoy our easy, but enthusiastic approach to the art of art making, and the benefits of random art experiences. We drive back to Winston on Thursday evening, as Friday was an early start for the both of us. Laura has teaching, wedding and church service obligations (she is a professional church organist, piano and voice teacher), and Friday evening marked the beginning of the NC Dance Festival's 20th season, of which 87 Dance Productions is part!

Friday morning, I drive to UNC Charlotte to conduct a masterclass as part of the NC Dance Festival. Though I have 26 students signed up for the class, ten show. I am happy though, as we have a lot of fun! We engage in technique with a healthy dose of general ridiculousness! We practice foot and back exercises, run across the studio screaming at the top of our lungs, learn combinations for moving big and dart across the diagonal of the studio in a quirky improv where every step is a jump. Immediately after this early burst of energy, I attempt to rush to the airport to pick up Mackenzie, who is in town to perform with me! I stop at the grocery store to pick up salads, goldfish crackers and powerade for Mackenzie and I, as I know it is going to be a long day. I get lost on the way to the airport, and leave Mackenzie sitting at baggage claim for many more minutes than I had intended. Once I pick her up, it is time to get over to the theater to tech out our piece, "Words Apart." We will be performing the piece in five NC cities throughout the fall and winter as part of the NC Dance Festival. This is my second time on the NCDF tour, and I enjoyed it so much last time, that I am very much looking forward to participating this year, and having Mackenzie to share the experience with. Friday evening, after checking into the Microtel and catching a nap, we perform our piece for a nice sized crowd in the Robinson Theater at UNC Charlotte. I feel good about our performance, and the audience responded well. During intermission, we find seats in the audience to watch the rest of the show. It is lovely, and I think over and over in my head, about how much I love dancing, making art and making it my life. Back at the hotel, we eat pizza and try to get a few Z's before getting back to our individual obligations early on Saturday.

This morning, I wake up at about 5am to get ready and drive back to Raleigh for a 9am rehearsal with the Panoramic dance Company. I have four hours with the girls to set two sections. One section is from my piece, "Our Quilt." The company members wait patiently as I alter the choreography, originally for two people, to fit a company of seventeen! That was a huge challenge, given the subtle nature of the movement, and the slow pace. I then move on to choreographing Laura's composition called, "Georgia." It is inspired by her grandmother. It is a beautiful song, which moves in and out of slow, soulful passages and heart-pounding up-tempo sections. Also very challenging to create a section for seventeen people. But I have it in my head that this sections is to be a joyful offering. Working on it. I got about half way done today, and feel confident that I can finish on Monday.

After the rehearsal, I have a hard time focusing on my school work for Goddard. My eyes are bleary and my mind is mush. I try to nap, but am unsuccessful. Tomorrow, I plan to have an easy day spent in my pajamas with a cup of tea, writing at my computer. I'm looking forward to it!

Good night.

~Cara