Showtime

When I was younger, I used to dance for a studio. My grandmother taught ballet, so it was natural for her to want my parents to enroll me and my sister Savannah in classes. We happened to luck out and know a dance studio owner in our area that my grandmother actually taught, and started when we were 2-3 years old.

For years my sister and I danced tap, jazz and ballet. I loved going to class and perfecting my craft. Counting music, memorizing routines and learning the ins and outs of good technique and poise. My grandmother was so proud of us.

It got to a point when my sister and I turned 13-14 years old where we reached the senior level, the most difficult level our studio taught, and we started getting featured in duos and trios for our studios dance revues every June. The better we got, the more we were featured in. My last year fully dancing I was in 8 numbers, the program had around 25 numbers, and I was in a lot.

I loved it, loved coming in, working hard. I learned many valuable life lessons there too. I learned discipline, commitment and trust. Many days were blood, sweat and tears. I know what you’re thinking…blood Paige? In dance? Absolutely! I sprained my ankle, had many bruises from jumps to the floor, and many blisters and cuts from point shoes. I tried to quit one year when I was 14 because I was hurting too much; but that lasted for only maybe two weeks. I was so anxious to go back in and learn a routine, that I couldn’t stay away.

After my first pointe solo, my teach gave me a duet with one of my closest friends in dance. She started many years ago when I did, and we were very well matched. We had a swing number called “Zoot Suit Riot,” and we were assigned time to work on it. But I was so thrilled with the idea of partner work, I started coming up with steps on my own. I’d show them to Jessica, and she’d agree and maybe had her own spin. Once I showed my dance teacher, she was excited that I took initiative. That number started my choreography kick, and it didn’t stop there.

Ms. Katrina trusted me enough from then on to come up with my own numbers and even choreograph for other students. I always had a number in the show, or two that I created. I’d cut the music, she’d pick our costumes and I’d teach the dancers. It was a thrill for me to watch them dance and get a roar from the crowd when they bowed.

I’d even help assist/teach dance classes during the week. Tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, anything. Put me in any routine class, and I could pick it up in minutes.

Thats the one place a dancer will never feel the same. On a dark stage, when you walk out to step up for your number you’ve worked so hard on for months, and then it was the moment of truth. Either you nailed the routine, or slipped, or missed a move. No going back. Everyone’s watching. A deep breath, and then the lights would come on. Showtime.

It was an ecstasy that I could never get enough of. And when the music stops and you nailed every movement, the crowd giving a standing ovation, some of my happiest moments.

I miss the choreography, my creative outlet. Stretching dancers and myself beyond our limits to test ourselves. It’s invigorating. Hopefully I can get back into a studio someday.

Any chance I get, i dance. I still have my old dance bag, just in case someone says let’s tap.