Live Stream Dance Classes and Artists during COVID-19

As terrible as COVID-19 is, I'm feeling like some good things are coming out of it. For me personally, through all these live stream dance classes, I feel like I'm finding myself and my passion again. Just being able to work and sweat and dance and have fun instead of worrying so much about how I look in comparison to other people or how I look in the mirror. I've done Tiler Peck's Instagram live stream ballet class that she does from her parent's house (she's from the New York City Ballet). I've done a Debbie Allen Instagram live stream class. I've been doing Mark Kanemura's dance party, I did a Go Go dancing class the other day (living my 60s mod girl dreams). I've been doing Zoom classes like Celia Mei Rubin's Broadway Masterclasses. I've also done Yoga over Zoom. And this weekend (April 18 & 19), Break The Floor, the first online live streamed dance convention is happening, started by Travis Wall. Completely free. All of these classes and big choreographers and dancers are now suddenly accessible to people all around the world. It's incredible. I love it.

There is something so great about being able to work on yourself at home. These classes are just for you, at home, following along. You implement corrections as you see fit and there is no one around to judge you. I feel like I don't judge myself or how I look in whatever I'm wearing because I don't have a big dance studio mirror staring me down. Instead, I've found myself just feeling the movement and sensing my body. I can also dance in whatever I want, so if I want to do the class but I'm still in my sweatpants, I can do it. I'm not worried about how high my leg is compared to the person in front of me at the barre or across the room from me. I'm not worried about trying to out dance someone or prove myself. This is actually really refreshing and is reminding me how much I love to dance, especially when it's not for grades or a job or to impress anyone. I also used to hate ballet because I never thought I was good enough, but between doing ballet classes in my post secondary program and doing these live stream classes, I'm loving ballet. I may not be the best, I may not have the highest legs, but it makes me feel good. Dancing in my living room is making me feel good! It's freeing.

It's funny how artists are probably one of the biggest communities suffering right now because what we do requires many people to congregate in one space together and so many jobs and productions have been cancelled or put on hold. There is so much up in the air. But the artists really are the ones getting us through this. From holding free online dance classes to holding live-stream concerts. It's all so incredible. This experience is really testing us as people and teaching us to be innovative. And of course we have our various streaming services, again, artists. So don't tell us that arts programs and theatre and dance and music aren't important.

I wonder what the world will be like after this. There probably won't be a "back to normal". And I wonder how we keep this sense of community and kindness and sharing after we get through this. Doing these classes, I keep wondering why I don't do this on my own and I realize that it's because right now, we're all in the same situation so people are making their skills available and free or by donation. In any other scenario, I don't think we would have so many online dance classes. But I personally love it and feel like I have been growing as an artist, dancer, and a person. Again, as terrible as this situation is, I do think there are some good things coming out of it. I heard this somewhere but it's like the world telling us to take a break and slow down. Telling us to realize what's important.

Anyway, sending the most love to everybody right now. Keep dancing! Stay mentally and physically healthy, and it's ok to feel whatever you're feeling. You don't need to do something or be productive every day. Take care of yourself.