Embody the Dream

This year I celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by attending NJPAC's annual MLK Celebration featuring the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH). Seeing this company perform was significant for me for two reasons. First because Arthur Mitchell started DTH in response to the assassination of Dr. King and because this is where I developed my love for ballet. When I was younger I attended a local dance studio. My parents decided to send me to the Dance Theatre of Harlem to hone my craft and receive professional training. I fell in love with ballet at DTH! For the first time I saw beautiful ebony ballerinas that looked like me. My training under the iconic Karel Shook, validated my talent and taught me discipline and respet for my gift. My life changed that year so I thought what better way to celebrate MLK then by coming home to DTH.

The event started Thursday with a discussion moderated by Charmaine Warren. The panelists - Virginia Johnson, Michelle Gadsden-Williams, Gabrielle Salvatto and Francesca Harper discussed BLACK BALLERINAS: BREAKING THE BOUNDARIES OF CLASSICAL BALLET. We discussed the need for diversity in classical ballet. African American dancers are under represented in the world of classical ballet as they are in corporate America. We all agreed we need to encourage our children to follow in the footsteps of Dr. King and Arthur Mitchell and be trailblazers. Many of our black swans leave classical ballet because they don't believe they will every get hired. Economically, classical ballet is expensive to see and participate in. I give much credit to my colleagues in the field of dance education who are training and educating the next generation of dancers. Through our daily classes and performances we are educating a generation who we pray will become lovers of dance and future audience members who demand to see dancers on stage that look like them. 

The company performance on Friday night was amazing. Rev. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries Jr. paid tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. King with a soul stirring sermon. The dancers performed with excellence - Agon and Far But Close but my absolute favorite was Gloria which also featured 8 budding black swans. These young ladies raging in ages 10-12 demonstrated poise, professionalism and extreme talent as they represented the next generation of dancers. This piece captured the spirit of Harlem both culturally and spiritually.

The highlight of the celebration for me occurred on Saturday as NJPAC introduced its first Liturgical dance workshop. Theara Ward, former dancer with DTH, challenged us all to dream and then embody our dreams. As we listened to Dr. Kings speech - I HAVE A DREAM, we all wrote down a dream that we had tucked away. I wrote what I believed God wanted me to do in the near future. What came next shocked us all but truly shifted the atmosphere. Theara asked us to dance our dreams. I closed my eyes and danced a prayer. I had prayed that morning about this specific dream asking God to show me the steps to take to bring my dream to fruition. The class was amazing as we weaved choreography into our own dreams. At the end of class we ministered our dreams and I was blown away when a young lady said my dance looked like God was showing me the steps to make my dream a reality. I've written many articles and a book on Dancing My Prayers but this experience showed me the immense power of God when you allow Him in. It convicted to continue to teach the next generation of budding dancers and dance enthusiasts. I am encouraged by Dr. Kings quote "Everyone has the power for greatness - not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service." I pray God will continue to fuel my dream as I work to make it reality. I dance because each and every day as I dance my prayers I embody greatness. I embody the dream for myself and for the children I service.Happy Dr. Martin Luther Kings Jr. Day. Make

Its Never Too Late to Follow Your Dreams

A few months ago Darrell came home frustrated with work. He was working a low paying, unfullfilling job which required an enormous amount of hours. Although He didn't like what he was doing he was thankful for having a job. What frustrated Darrell the most was the fact that he had never pursued his life long dream of acting. He stated "Ever since I was a kid, I've always wanted to act.". Around the same time a soror of mine was promoting her acting class. I told Darrell what do we have to lose, why don't you enroll in this class. We prayed, gave it to God and he enrolled. From there Darrell took off. Since then he has booked a commercial, appeared in an off Broadway play, been cast in the independent film ATAY and will soon star in a stage play at Symphony Hall. I praise God for a husband who strives daily to do the right thing and is a man after God's own heart. The following is a review the play LOVE'S GONNA GET YOU which will soon go on the road to Baltimore, Md. Catch Darrell in the upcoming play IN PRAISE: A UNIQUE DANCE EXPERIENCE at Newark's Symphony Hall June 15-16, 2012.

LOVES GONNA GET YOU

A cast of eight, relatively unknown actors and actresses deliver lines of life in their journey to understanding, respecting and finding true love.

The off Broadway play, Love’s Gonna Get You', was the best 90 minute play I've experienced in a long time.  Perhaps it was because our very own friend and brother Darrell Pope, the loving husband of Susan Pope, starred in it.

 Act 2, scene 6, enters Bobby Washington, the father of Pablo, the self proclaimed 'player'.   "Listen son.  I’m not the man I used to be".  Darrell begins a genuine heart wrenching conversation, of a father's confession to his estranged son, about his absenteeism.

 As his wife sits a seat before me, teary-eyed, she watches her husband begin the first of many scenes, plays and perhaps movies.  The audience is equally engrossed.  One could hear a pin drop as we clang to his every word, relating to, understanding, sympathizing with how life’s circumstances, can drive a good husband and father to make poor decisions ... the kind that would forever alter their and their loved ones futures.  (I'm consciously trying Not to give the story away).

Great piece of work Darrell!  That role was best delivered by God's chosen apprentice who need not act, but just be himself to share a story line almost parallel to his own life's testimony.  'Love’s Gonna Get You' is a great play, well written, addressing life's favorite subject - love.  It's well peppered with humor and dialogue delivered by a group of fabulous actors and actresses.

Written, directed and produced by James and Michele Woodson - perhaps the next Tyler Perry? AWESOME work!

Editorial by Tinah Bouldin

The Struggle is Over

Welcome 2012! I am so excited about this new year. I'm starting this year off with prayer, fasting and dancing my prayers.  As I start the Daniel Fast today, it isn't as difficult as it was a couple of years ago. Many of the foods allowed on the Daniel Fast are already a part of my daily menu. So I've proved to myself that I can make lifestyle changes. Instead of resolutions I've made a bucket list. A list of things I want to accomplish this year. that I haven't done yet

1. As a way of becoming a better dancer and teacher I am taking professional ballroom classes. I want to compete at least once this year in ballroom. I have come to love ballroom dancing. It seems like a perfect transition for me as I age gracefully and struggle with not being able to do things with my body that I used to. Since the Struggle is over, I am embracing my 50+ body and enjoying my waltz, tango and foxtrot. I've started taking ballroom classes at Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Stay tuned for my first showcase. I also love teaching ballroom to couples. It is an excellent way to teach the concept of submission and following the leader.
2. Cake decorating. As a child, I used to love to bake and decorate cakes. Darrell's father was a baker so he has tried his hand at baking many times. I thought this would be an excellent way for us to spend more time together in the kitchen - so I'm taking a cake decorating class at A.C. Moore. My challenge will be to make healthy delicious cakes that will fit into my healthy lifestyle (after my fast is over of course).

3. SPLIT! Yes at 50+ I'm getting my split back. I took an awesome class a few weeks ago at Power Stretch Studio. It was an amazing class! I had so much energy after my class and I wasn't sore. It was such a great experience and I can now see my split in sight.
4. Flash Mob Dance - I want to participate in a flash mob dance. Its going to take a lot of planning. Not sure yet if its going to be at school or in some random public place for my birthday but be on the look out. I'm going to be in one this year. Let me know if you want to join me.

So that's my bucket list. Of course I still dance my prayers everyday. I continue to meditate on God's word and exercise with PraiseMoves. I still have challenges but I'm addressing these challenges with a new mindset. This battle is not mine, it's the Lords. The struggle is truly over. I dance because dance is my chosen weapon of warfare. Only He can make wars cease to the end of the earth. I dance because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I dance because God is all the help I need. He is my refuge and strength - an ever present help in trouble. So when trouble comes, as it will, I dance - knowing that my struggle is over. I dance because...

I Survive the Seasons!

I'm thankful today for the change of seasons outside and in my life. It amazes me the changes my body is going through. As I get ready to approach the 50 and 1/2 mark I'm reflecting today on the many changes my body is going through. I had the awesome experience yesterday of being in the audience on the Dr. Oz show. The topic was Peri menopausal Rage. Look for me sitting in the first row on the November 3rd episode. I don't suffer too much with the rage but I have experienced extreme mood swings in the opposite direction. I once attended a wedding and had to keep putting drops in my eyes because I kept crying, even before the wedding started. I would get so depressed over anything. I thought my friends didn't like me anymore and just cried all the time. I have since started taking natural vitamins which have really helped with the mood swings and the hot flashes. Growing old gracefully is not easy but it is possible. It is definitely better than the alternative - not growing at all. So I"m thankful today that I survive the seasons. I'm thankful for the gift of dance and how it lifts my spirits. As I dance my prayers in the morning I am renewed and ready for whatever why the winds blows. Today I dance because I've survived the seasons.

LIVE LIFE ON PURPOSE!

I've just finished reading a book titled TEN by Terry Smith. From this summer reading I have decided to live my life on purpose. What does that mean? It means everything I do, I do with purpose and I am allowing God to truly direct my path. I have found that many times in my past I react and live according to what has already happened. Its as if my life has been a reaction to my circumstance. Now I'm putting my purpose in front. My actions are now at the front of my prayers instead of being a reaction to what has already happened. This book challenges me to be a better leader not just to be better but because I have a responsibility to those I lead. As I start a new school year at a brand new school I'm excited about what's ahead. I've asked God to choreograph and synchronize my path to His will. I concentrate on the message He has for me to deliver and from that, the choreographies will come. Its a new beginning for me and I've raised the bar for myself.

Salsa, Salsa, Salsa

I DANCE BECAUSE 2nd annual Salsa party was a success. Even with the rain we had a nice crowd and everyone had a great time. I loved especially seeing all the couples dancing with each other. I even heard that some have been practicing at home.

I still think dancing with your mate is a great way to keep communication lines open. It works for Darrell and I. When we practice at home it forces us to look at how we talk to each other. When either of us makes a mistake if effects the other one immediately and we have to take responsibility for that right away.

I had to opportunity to dance with Jose, the owner of Just One Dance Studio at the end of the party and I felt amazing. That dance reaffirmed my confidence in dancing salsa as he is an excellent salsa dancer and I was able to keep up with him. Darrell and I need to practice much more. It gives us something to work up to. I'm happy with our annual fundraiser. Now I'm on the lookout for board members and setting up an art show/photo exhibit. Be on the lookout for our next event.

Dance with me!

In one week, I DANCE BECAUSE will host its 2nd annual dance party. Some have asked why am I giving a salsa party. I am a dance educator/liturgical dancer with a passion for helping other celebrate life through dance. My husband and I are the directors and the marriage ministry at our church. We started using dance as a teaching tool for our married couples and it is working.

So often in a marriage or any relationship for that matter problems start long before you really notice them. When there is tension in a marriage, one of the first things we do is stop touching. We create more space then is needed between us and become comfortable with not being physically close. Our arguments them begin to be about other stuff than about what really is at the heart of the matter.

The lessons I am learning in dancing salsa with my husband parallel so many lessons of marriage. For me the biggest is following the leader. So often Darrell will say "Let me lead!" I always want to say "but I'm the better dancer and you aren't doing it right!" Of course I don't say that. What has finally happened is he is learning. He realizes that if he doesn't lead correctly we both go the wrong direction and it is his responsibility to get us back on track. He has also learned that even though I am the better dancer, I'm trusting him to show me the way. If I make a mistake its because he didn't give the right lead at the right time.

Do I think dance can save a marriage, probably not but it can help keep the lines of communication open. It keeps us touching our partner in a positive way and forces us to look at each other. Most of all it is great exercise - physically and spiritually.

So, in case you didn't know - Our Salsa party is Friday, July 8, 2011 at Just One Dance Studio in Belleville, NJ. Doors open at 7:30 and the 1 hour lesson starts promptly at 8. This is a fundraiser for our business and our scholarship fund. Tickets are $20. Join us. Bring your spouse or significant other. Say to your spouse or significant other "Dance with me" and see what response you get. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Movement or Meditation

Last night on the news there was a segment on meditation and how beneficial it can be to our lives. Many talked about healing and being able to cope with life circumstances because of meditation. So I asked myself, what is the difference between meditation and prayer? Would I feel a closer presence with meditation as opposed to my movement prayers? Was I missing something in my devotional time? So I decided to try it this morning before dancing my prayers. I sat quietly for 15 minutes, no music, just sat and listened to my breath. My conclusion, for me meditation is another posture of prayer. It was a relaxing, quiet time for me to just listen for God's still voice. I enjoyed much more my dance prayer that followed. I enjoy feeling the Holy Spirit enter my body as I dance before Him. What a joy to be able to offer my body in worship in the morning. This morning I danced to HERE I AM TO WORSHIP. I trust God was pleased. I feel equipped for the day. I have a smile on my face and in my heart. I will continue to try meditation but I must say I so much more enjoy dancing my prayers. Maybe tomorrow I'll try the reverse, dancing then meditating on God's word. I know when I start my day with praise and worship, God inhabits my praise and orders my steps. Have a great day - I dance because...

Fifty and Fabulous

I've just celebrated my 50th birthday. I am so thankful to have reached my golden birthday but it still brings mixed emotions. As I continue to dance I struggle with this body that isn't able to do many of the things I used to. I continue to question God as to the next leg of my journey. I love to dance but what do you do when your body just can't keep up with the visions.

Every year for my birthday, my husband and I go to see The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. What an awesome performance it was this year. My favorite piece was Anointed. Seeing them this year really helped to ignite the passion of dance within me. I so want to be able other young dancers experience dance.

Now more than ever I want to pass the gift of dance on to others. I DANCE BECAUSE will be a viable organization giving scholarships and resources to so many young people who need it. Dance helped shape me into the person I am today. I believe I am more compassionate and giving because of dance. Dance has helped me experience what I feel so I can fully be in the moment of my experiences. There is such joy and happiness in being fully involved in dance. I can't help smile at the faces of my young students as they experience dance. For my older students, it takes time to get through the outer hard shell they put up to protect themselves, but I continue to chip away so they too can experience the joy of leaping through the air, spinning beyond control and just grooving to their own beat.

I used to wonder how some of my older dance teachers taught without fully moving. I've had dance teachers that taught from a chair. I always wondered how are they doing that. Well I'm about to find out. Its time to make these beautiful movements in my heart and my head come to life in my students. This is a new season for me in many ways. I'm excited and ready to see what God has next. Fifty and fabulous, I dance because....I still can and I want to pass it on.

Dancing with Purpose

Happy New Year! As I reflect on this past year and look expectantly into 2011 I continue to ask myself "Why do I still dance?" My body is getting older and I've been plagued with numerous injuries the past couple of years. It is frustrating to realize my body can't do some of the things it used to.



The month of December is always a busy one for me but this one seemed heavier than usual. As we celebrated my son's 21st birthday on the 13th, I reflected on the many ways he has impacted my life. Although it is still hard for me to comprehend my little boy being 21, I am so, so proud of the man of God he is growing into. On the 22nd of December, my school put on the biggest production of The Nutcracker ever. We transported over 100 students to another school so they would have the opportunity to perform on a real stage which my school doesn't have. As a result of all the rehearsals I was unable to attend my own dance ministry rehearsals. Then I got the call, I was asked to dance the role of Mary, mother of Jesus for our Christmas Eve candle light service. The part didn't require any rehearsal for me. Thank you God, I was still going to be able to minister which meant the world to me. Hours before I was to dance, Darrell, my husband, became ill and needed to go to the hospital. He told me to take him and leave him so I could still go dance. I considered it - was I being selfish? Then our friend Zach offered to take Darrell to the hospital. I promised I would come as soon as I finished dancing.



Darrell went to the hospital and I went to dance. I prayed and receive such a peace about the whole situation that I didn't even look at my phone until after I finisihed dancing. As I danced down the aisle with the baby in my arms, I was reminded of how Jesus came into this world to save us. I reflected on His purpose of being born to die for our sins and at that moment my own sense of purpose was renewed. I was born to dance and to help others do the same. 2011 I am recommitting myself to dancing with purpose and passion.



Oh FYI, when I finished dancing, there was a text from Darrell stating that he was feeling better and he would be home soon. Thank you God! Why do I still dance at 49. I dance because I am called and there is nothing more important that doing what God tells you to do.

Misty Copeland: an unlikely ballerina

This story reminds me of when I first started teaching in Newark. For our first production of The Nutcracker, I invited one of my former students from New York to play the Sugar Plum Fairy. When I told the cast about our guest dancers, one of my students replied, "Oh she must be white." When my former student, Jennifer, the Sugar Plum Fairy arrived that evening, my current student, Dajaita, who made the comment about Jennifer burst into tears. You see, Jennifer, was a dark skinned Dominican. Yes she was the same skin color as Dajaita. Through her tears, Dajaita blurted out - "OMG, she's beautiful and she looks like me!" Jennifer danced on pointe that evening and forever changed Dajaita's life.

Our students need more role models like Misty Copeland and Jennifer. Anything is possible if you just believe.

Misty Copeland: an unlikely ballerina, posted with vodpod

PraiseMoves

DANCING MY PRAYERS with PraiseMoves! Its the perfect fit. Over a month ago I became a (CPI) certified PraiseMoves Instructor. PraiseMoves is the Christian Alternative to Yoga. I'll admit when I first started looking into getting certified I wasn't sure if this program was going to give me the results I used to get with yoga. Although I loved the yoga class I used to take, when we got to the chanting part I felt very uncomfortable. I used to say the Lords prayer or 23rd Psalm to myself but still something just didn't feel right. I began researching Christian yoga but still wasn't sold until I saw a post on Facebook one day about PraiseMoves. My life has been forever changed. I ordered the DVDs and began working out.

Dancing My Prayers with PraiseMoves has taken my morning devotional time to a whole new level. Not only are the postures physically challenging but the scripture references help me to memorize scripture and do bible study. My devotion time with God is even more intimate now. I've incorporated PraiseMoves into my daily prayers as a way to stay fit physically and spiritually. I now teach a class at my church and am loving every minute of it. It is amazing how I can read scripture over and over again to try and memorize it but as soon as I do it I remember. I will always glorify God in my body! I Corinthians 6:20

Dance Day

National Dance Day - July 31, 2010 is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate. I'm excited about this dance day. Although dance educators have been celebrating National Dance Day for years - the world is now taking notice of the power of dance thanks to the hit show SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. I credit this hit show for helping my students be able to take constructive criticism. During one class, as I was critiquing a group of students on their choreography, one students replied "Oh this is like being on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, so we have to listen to you so we can get better."

I dance because dance is my chosen weapon of warfare. When I am dancing I am experiencing my authentic self. I am one with God and I feel an intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Whether you dance to exercise, release stress, communicate, perform or worship - lets learn this dance and on July 31st we're gonna show the world - I DANCE BECAUSE...

Why do you dance?

Friends of Salsa

Who invented Salsa - Cubans or Puerto Ricans? Whoever invented it, whoever created it, we cannot ignore the fact that the rhythm, the beats come from Africa. We are all connected through this fiery Latin dance. So closely related to Mambo and Cha-Cha, some say it is the same dance. Latin communities throughout the United States and Latin America are responsible for shaping most of the steps we see today.

I loved dancing salsa so I decided to have a salsa party to celebrate my birthday and the launch of the I DANCE BECAUSE scholarship fund. Many of my friends came, learned basic salsa choreography and donated to the scholarship fund.

We were all blown away when the FRIENDS OF SALSA stepped on the floor. The Friends of Salsa are a group of dancers from Newark, all over the age of 60, (except for one) who dance smooth, old school salsa. I was mesmerized just watching these seasoned dancers spin, turn and shimmy with each other. I was amazed when the male dancers started dancing with 2 & 3 females to make up for the shortage of men.

It was a great night. We've decided to make it an annual event so if you missed it, catch us next year. Most of all consider donating to the I DANCE BECAUSE scholarship fund. Help send an inner city child to a dance school. Dance has changed many lives. Lets keep it going. What has dance done for you? Consider the gift of dance and how important it has been in your life.

THANKS MOM

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY & Happy Birthday to ME! This year as I celebrate Mother's Day and my birthday, both on the same day I am so grateful to have my mom living with me.

I remember when I first started taking ballet at the age of 6 - I HATED IT!. My dance teacher was strict and I just wanted to have fun. I begged my mom to take me out of class but she wouldn't. I had asked to take ballet and she wasn't going to let me just stop because I didn't like it. I am so, so, so grateful today my mom did not take me out of that class. It taught me so much much than ballet. It taught me about commitment. You see even at 6 years old when I just wanted to play and have fun I had to learn that when you ask for something and then you get it - you don't just throw it back at the first sign of discomfort or dislike. Some things you have to see through for the gratification. I also learned to plan ahead and shift rather than just give up. You see, for 2 years as I begged not to take ballet, my mom asked me what I wanted to take instead and I replied "I don't know". I learned very quickly that was not an acceptable response in my house. Finally after 2 years, I got it!. I asked if I could take tap dance instead of ballet because it was fun. See, I had a plan and a reason. My mom obliged and thus my love affair with dance began. I eventually went back to taking ballet and eventually into modern, jazz and African. After a few years, I was hooked and knew this is what I was supposed to do with my life.

I can't imagine what my life would be like had I never been introduced to dance. So on this mother's day - I thank my mom for making me stick with it even when I didn't want to. I dance because God called me to dance and my mom wouldn't let me say no.

My class just won’t dance

As I approach the last cycle in the semester, most of my classes are preparing for their final presentation. My kindergarten students are dancing to SINGING IN THE RAIN. My 1^st graders are dancing to FIREFLIES. We talked about how exciting it is to watch fireflies at night and then try to catch them. My 6^th graders are doing a DANCE OF THE DECADE project. In groups they will research a specific decade and report on the music, major news headlines, famous personalities, fashion and create a dance which represents that decade. In my school it has become tradition that the 8^th graders learn ballroom dance. Their final project involves them presenting at least one ballroom dance to an audience. So far collectively they have explored Swing, The Waltz and Salsa. Although the classes are challenging (which is an understatement) and I am drained at the end of each class, the majority of my students are engaged and learning – except for that one class that just won't dance!

I have one 8^th grade class that just won't dance. It's not all the students but it is more than 50% of the class. Most of the students are very immature. They argue with each other and constantly call each other names. After 2 disruptive sessions in the dance studio I've resorted to teaching them in their classroom. It is so frustrating to teach this class. The few students that do want to dance are discouraged because they are being punished for others apathy. I don't know if a math teacher or language arts teacher has to face the same level of disregard for their subject matter but I feel offended when a student continually says "I don't dance, its not my thing." When I was in grade school I didn't want to do math but it wasn't an option. I didn't want to fail so I did my work. These students seem not to be concerned with failing a dance class or with me having a conversation with their parents. Administration says just fail them if they don't do the work but something inside me says there has got to be a way to reach these students.

We've started watching parts of TAKE THE LEAD, the story of the Ballroom dance teacher, Pierre Dulaine who went into a New York City school to teach Ballroom dance. Each class the students answer questions about the scene they saw. We don't watch the movie in its entirety because it is rated PG13 and there is much foul language. We've actually had some brief interesting conversations about Pierre's rationale for wanting to teach Ballroom to these students. They all agreed the dance classes could have a positive effect on the students. So why don't they believe it for themselves. Its only April and we've just started this discussion. I don't want to resort to just giving them busy work because then I fell like I've failed. My hope is that by June I will have convinced the reluctant, unwilling students to give dance a try. If not dance, at least be willing, respectful audience members as other students learn to TAKE THE LEAD.

Dancing My Prayers

Do you want to catapult your devotional life to a new level? Do you desire to worship in a more intimate way? Do you love to dance? If you answered, "yes' to any of these questions, then my latest book "Dancing My Prayers" is for you. Whether you are a novice dancer with no experience, an amateur who thinks they can dance; a liturgical dancer or a professional diva dancer – this book will guide you through a journey to meeting God on your dance floor. I'm grateful to all who have called, texted, emailed and contacted me via Facebook about how they have been blessed by the book. Below are just a few comments I've received.

"Dancing my Prayers" by, Susan Gaddy Pope is the ultimate prayer book for dancers and non-dancers alike...It teaches you how to dance your prayers in confidence and get RESULTS! Thank you Mrs. Pope for the blessing.Chapters 4, 5, and 6 were especially helpful for me!!! FACE BOOK FAMILY - buy it, you will be blessed tremendously." LaVerne Duncan

"This book is an answer to my prayer. I have desired to develop a greater prayer language. I started today and I experienced God in a new way. He honored my intentionality to reach Him, please Him, woo Him, love Him, praise Him, and trust Him with my embodied communication to Him. It made me stop to think about what I was saying to Him. He flowed out of me giving me movement. Aaaah and my name, Simone, means "God has heard". I have such joy today!!! Thank God, thank you and thank Susan." Simone Baitey

To quote from a book my friend Don Bell gave me: "Dance prayers are embodied representations of our conversations with God. When we dance our prayers, we give life to our petitions and thanksgivings... Dance is my chosen weapon of warfare..." Christine Miller

Everyone has a story to tell. This book is my story of how God has transformed my life through dance. As you can tell from other post, I see the world through a dancer's eyes. Life is just more interesting that way! Every dance God has ever choreographed through me is a result of a conversation we've had. I so enjoy my prayer time with God as He continues to write the story of my life. What's your story?

A B C…Dance

"There's a reward in dancing that's indescribable…the mental and physical coming together. And when everything is right…there's no other feeling like it and you remember that and you'll do almost anything to feel that again." Robert Weiss

The upcoming "Educating the Creative Mind" Conference at Kean University, March 4-6, 2010 will heighten the public awareness of the significance of the arts in children's lives and education. During this conference, in my workshop ABC…Dance, I will have the opportunity to share with educators from all over the world how dance education can motivate learning in the regular classroom.

I believe educating a child through dance education not only fosters creativity, it awakens them from the inside out. It stirs up creative juices that have somehow dried up in the regular classroom. Teaching children to be creative thinkers requires teaching the whole child. In order to teach children, you must find a way to reach them. Dance is an excellent way to do this as long as it is done with a purpose in mind.

The creative arts are a child's first language. Children use dance, music, and art, to express thoughts, ideas and feelings. When working with young children and the arts, the end product is not as important as the journey it takes to get there. In early childhood education, most students excel through kinesthetic experiences. Many children enter kindergarten as kinesthetic and tactile learners. They want to touch everything. So how do we teach basic letter recognition, spelling, and phonics to early elementary school children? The way I taught my son in 2^nd grade when he was diagnosed with dyslexia – we DANCE! We offer the student the opportunity to experience the lesson using their body. Letters, words and stories come to life and thus can be recalled and retold. Letters become more than lines and circles. They take on a whole new meaning as they are embodied and connected to actual words.

During the conference we'll get to hear from Howard Gardner, internationally renowned Professor of Cognition and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Saturday the children get to participate in the Children's Creative Arts Day. This promises to be a great conference for educators and parents.

I Gotta Feeling

Last week, over 100 students at Dr. E. Alma Flagg School performed a choreographed dance to the Black eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling" for our Dr. Martin Luther King birthday celebration. The choreography was similar to the flash mob dance used for The Oprah Show's 24^th season kickoff party. I wanted to create an all inclusive atmosphere for the students to demonstrate the concepts and ideals Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in. The objective goals of the lesson for the choreography were for the students to be able to:

• Demonstrate respect for themselves and others
  
• Respect space
  
• Dance in unison
  
• Show high levels of energy
  
• Follow the leader
  

The experience was magical for the students and the audience. I even saw a few parents and teachers join the students on certain parts of the choreography. I used one student as the leader of the group whom they all had to take their cues from. Students were picked for the choreography not just based on their memorization and performance of the choreography but on their ability to demonstrate respect for their classmates. Students, who either; teased other students, spoke negatively, demonstrated apathy or were just plain disrespectful in class were not invited to be a part of this choreography. After we learned the dance I asked the students why they thought we were doing a dance titled "I Gotta Feeling" for a MLK birthday celebration. Some of the student's responses were:

• "I've got a feeling is another way to say I Have a Dream"
  
• "I've got a feeling that things are going to be better."
  
• "MLK believed in blacks and whites living together. In this dance we have to get along because it is so many of us."
  
• "When we all fell to the floor and got back up it was as it were dead and then got energized again from each other."
  
• "My favorite part of the dance was the wave because it felt like we were passing the energy."
  

I am extremely proud of all the students who performed. I feel like they all stepped up a notch and decided to not just dance but dance with a purpose. I'm especially proud of the way they complemented each other after the performance and gave each other positive constructive criticism. I believe this is an experience they will not forget – I know I won't! I dance because I'm part of something big and I choose today to dance and live more abundantly.

Remembering the Dream

January 15, 1981; I was blessed to be a part of the rally to make Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday a holiday. It was freezing outside but I didn't care. As a student at the University of Maryland, College Park; a predominantly white campus, I felt a strong responsibility to do my part. I was so excited to be a part of something so big. At the time, I don't think any of us had any idea the impact of what we were doing that day. Of course we had no idea that 28 years later we would witness the inauguration of our first African American president.

Last week, Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery spoke at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at NJPAC. I was so honored to be in the presence of such wisdom. He charged everyone to do their part. He encouraged us all to be the best at what we do. "If you are a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper you can be." I'm encouraged today to just be better, to follow through and not forget that cold day, January 15, 1981. I'm encouraged to keep teaching, writing and dancing, even when I don't feel like it. I'm inspired by Arthur Mitchell who after hearing of the assassination of Dr. King, decided to start the Dance Theatre of Harlem to dispel the myth that African Americans can't dance classical ballet.

Now more than ever it is time to live the dream. What has Dr. King's dream inspired you to do? What is it you are supposed to be doing with your life? Are you on the path to that dream? Each day we should be chipping away at our dream until it manifest (made a reality). Is your dream part of a bigger dream or is it a selfish dream that only you benefit from? When we marched 29 years ago, I don't think any of us were thinking about ourselves. We just knew it was something we had to do. I dance because its helps me remember the dream. I dance because…