Wow! It is already halfway through July and the summer has been filled with fun family activities. This off time has allowed me to check-in with family from afar that definitely does not get my attention during the traditional school year. It has also allowed me to step back and observe my little guy and how much he is changing by the day. It is fascinating to watch him grow and learn.
Another thing that I have enjoyed is having the time to catch up with colleagues/friends in a non-work environment. I previously mentioned two amazing people that keep me going throughout the school year. My first interview was with one of them and allow me to introduce the second- Courtney Teas is the ballet director for Pine Crest School and has two amazing kiddos. A beautiful dancer and teacher (seriously, I could watch her mark her por de bras for hours) but also a former ballet dancer for San Francisco Ballet. Here is what Courtney had to say about her journey as a mom. How was the transition from dancing professionally to being a mom and dance teacher? Ending my professional ballet career was really hard!! My identity was tied to being a dancer for as long as I could remember. After I stopped dancing professionally, I didn't feel that I was "the ballerina" (as I was often referred to by family) anymore. It was a weird & sad feeling. I was still teaching dance, but I felt lost. Therefore, when I found out we were having a baby just a year after ending my professional career, I was super excited! It gave me a new identity, "mom"! I loved my new title! Being a mom gave me a new purpose and passion. I enjoyed being home with my son, but soon found that I really missed dance. It had been a part of my life since I was 2 years old and I missed that creative aspect in my life. Therefore, shortly after having my first child, I headed back to the dance studio to teach for my former ballet director. I only taught a few nights a week but it gave me back my identity as "the ballerina". It reignited my passion for dance and it allowed me to realize that I could be both... the ballerina and the mom. I think that getting back into the studio to teach dance actually made me a better mom. It gave me that bit of "me time" that I craved, while doing something that made me feel fulfilled. What is your greatest challenge as a dance educator and mom? The greatest challenge is definitely scheduling! Dance is typically an after-school activity that takes place in the evenings and weekends. That can be especially challenging when you add kids and a husband. For many years I would bring my baby to the dance studio with me. A dance mom would watch him until my husband was able to get off work and could drive to pick him up & bring him home. That presented its own set of challenges. My husband, who was already tired after a long day of work, had to figure out how to solo parent an infant. He was willing to do it because he knew how passionate I was to continue my teaching career, but it wasn't easy. We were both tired and stressed. Eventually, we started to pay a babysitter to stay home with the kids until my husband got home from work. That eliminated the extra car time with a screaming baby, but financially was a wash. I pretty much made the same amount of money teaching that we were paying our babysitter to watch our two children. Therefore, when the chance to teach dance during the day at a private school was presented to me, I jumped at the opportunity! It gave me the opportunity to teach at the same school my children attended and limited the amount of late nights and evenings that I was out teaching. Of course, as with any performing art, there are always additional rehearsals and performances that keep me late at school. I am extremely grateful to have a supportive husband and mom to help me, especially in the days and weeks leading up to a big performance. Their support and understanding allow me to focus on my students and enjoy the creative process. Do you have any advice or thoughts for someone who teaches dance and is a mom? My advice is that it is okay to be passionate about both. My children and family are my greatest blessing and will always come first! But I also love my career teaching ballet! I love seeing my students grow and improve as dancers. I also love the creative process of putting on a ballet production. I would also advise that it's nearly impossible to do without support. Moms need friends, partners, or family members to support their dreams and encourage them to keep going. Surrounding yourself with supportive people allows you to put your full self into your job and not feel guilty about it. They say "it takes a village" and it truly does! There is no way that I could be successful at work without my supportive co-workers and administrators. I equally couldn't be successful as a mom without the constant help and encouragement of my family and friends. Courtney's experience and growth as a mom provides such a unique perspective that is very human. We might be feeling disappointment or frustration, but still have that obligation to strap on a smile and be grateful for where we are. This interview showed me that it doesn't matter how amazing your career and experience was before children, you never truly lose the urge to dance. And you shouldn't have to sacrifice it if you do not choose to. Finding your balance and your path is important to your own journey as an artist AND a mother. A happy parent is a loving one and if your job brings you joy, then just think what is going on in that little mind that gives you a hug when you walk in the door. Thank you Courtney for your insight!
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AuthorNikki Allred Boyd (Dancer, Choreographer, Mom). Archives
March 2024
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