"Concert Week" Letter from Ms. Drew

May 18th, 2020

Dear Dance & Company Dancers, Dance Families, Teachers, and Senior Dancers,

I write to you in a state of anxiety and disappointment, which I am sure you share with me.

Today, we should be heading into Wilson Hall at the start of our exciting concert rehearsal week: a week of camaraderie and mutual support of one another. It is the culmination of our intense year of training and sharing together. 

Our Dance & Company Graduating Seniors are certainly those feeling the most disappointment and sense of unfairness. Our senior dancers have anticipated this moment with years of training and watching others before them. Graduating senior dancers have already prepared their senior solos and were certainly looking forward for their chance to perform them in their own senior concert.

It isn't fair. It isn't just. It is not something we can rail against. It is not something we can control. It is simply sad and disappointing. Those words, not likely helpful or comforting, were meant to be a conduit to commiseration. They were meant to be an expression of recognition and understanding. It is okay to feel what you are feeling. 

Your Dance & Company friends and teachers know how truly amazing you are and are yet to be.

To all students, you have put forth physical exertion, mental preparation, and emotional investment. You demonstrated a devotion to personal expression in a challenging field, utilizing your mind, your body and your heart. You explored your potential and the extremes of your endurance and abilities. You gave of yourselves in the pursuit of an artistic voice. In so doing, you made sacrifices necessary to pursue self-betterment, challenge, achievement and success.

Teachers, you lovingly devoted your time to coaching your students. You consumed countless hours in class planning, assessing student progress, and identifying needs. You created thoughtful and imaginative class combinations and spent your time bringing meaningful instruction to our dance classrooms. You gave life to artful, insightful concert choreography. You inspired your students. 

This year, students and teachers shared countless moments of success and achievement. We enjoyed hours of laughter, warmth, closeness and affection. We cheered one another. We smiled and hugged. 

This week is meant to be the pinnacle event celebrating our efforts, our growth, our shared togetherness, in a final performance which is a celebration of joy.

This is what is meant to be but this is not what is.

I just wrote of the hard work and dedication you exhibited during this year. I point out the caring way you interact with each other and with your community. I see you are devoted and responsible human beings. 

Not being in concert with one another this year, is another way in which we demonstrate we are responsible and care for others in our lives. Knowing this does not make it easy. It is still difficulty and disappointing. It is sacrifice.

Every day during this week, I will think of you: Dance & Company Students, Teachers, Graduation Seniors and your families. With every thought, I will be grateful to you and for you, remembering your love, your laughter, your dedication, your talent, your support and your many sacrifices…

With much love and warm wishes,

Drew Jones