What Is It To Be A Dance Parent?

The arts, through Dance, Drama, Song and Performance is a platform that provides the opportunity to express, discover and create for all. Boys, Girls, Adults and Elders included and this is a feeling here at The Rose Arts London, we aim to pass onto all our students

This extract, beautifully written by Shad Martin explains what it is to be a ‘Dance Parent’:

“One of my friends asked “Why do you pay so much money and spend so much time running around for your son or daughter to dance ?”

Well I have a confession to make: I don’t pay for my child’s dance lessons. Or their pointe, Jazz & tap shoes. Or their hundreds of costumes.

So, if I am not paying for dance , what am I paying for?

– I pay for those moments when my child becomes so tired they feel like quitting but doesn’t.

– I pay for the opportunity that my child can have and will have to make life-long friendships.

– I pay for the chance that my child may have amazing instructors that will teach them that dance is not just about movement but about life.

– I pay for my child to learn to be disciplined.

– I pay for my child to learn to take care of their body.

– I pay for my child to learn to work with others and to be a proud, supportive, kind and respectful team member.

– I pay for my child to learn to deal with disappointment, when they don’t get that score they hoped for, or fell during a move they have practiced a thousand times, but still gets up and is determined to do their BEST next time…

– I pay for my child to learn to make and accomplish goals.

– I pay for my child to learn that it takes hours and hours and hours and hours of hard work and practice to create a champion, and that success does not happen overnight.

– I pay so that my child can be in the studio instead of in front of a screen…

I could go on but, to be short, I don’t pay for dance; I pay for the opportunities that dance provides my child to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their life and give the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen for many, many years, I think it is a great investment!”

Blog post entry: Natasha Rosetta Joseph

The Rose Arts London Founding Principal and Artistic Director

 

THE ROSE ARTS LONDON 

‘Where Art Is Made’