You have to have lows to appreciate the highs.

Wow. I guess it can be assumed that a lot has happened since I haven’t written on here in a couple of months.  The last few weeks has been so up and down.  As of right now, I have a knee injury that has really put a damper on my plans for auditioning and training.  Audition season is here and now for musicals and cruises, and I can not afford to not be at my best.  I am currently in the process of figuring out what is wrong with my knee and I got an MRI today.  I had no idea how hard it is to lay completely still for what feels like forever.  It was so harddd!  haha But hopefully when the results come back tomorrow we can figure out what the problem is and try to fix it as soon and efficiently as possible.  I have been trying very hard to stay off my knee as much as I can, but it is really difficult for me.  Patience is a virtue right?  I made a list of things I can work on without hurting my leg, and I am trying to stay positive through this obstacle.  

At the beginning of March I competed at Elements with Project D.  It was a lot of fun and I just love that group of people so much.  Although we didn't place, we had a great performance and there is something about that performance that I can’t describe but I haven’t felt in a long time.  Project D also showcased at So You Think You Can Sayaw and Flash Dance Competition.  I had plans for my next couple of videos to come out within the past couple of months, but due to scheduling, my injury, and struggles with space and funds, they have not come together yet, but I will make them happen very soon.  

I have had the opportunity to do a little more teaching recently, which makes me very happy.  I was able to teach a House of Movement community class, and a private class for Epic Motion.  I had a great time with both classes and am so thankful for everyone who came out to take class.  I have also begun doing some background acting to get some extra money and also just learn about how the television and film industry works.  So far I have had a great experience with that too and learned a lot.  There are so many opportunities to take and paths to choose in New York City, that I am having a hard time to figure out exactly where to invest my time and money to get me where I want to be. So many obstacles to overcome lately. Hopefully it is true when people say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  Until Next time friends. :)

Project D | Elements XIV

Sayaw 2014 - Project D

2014 Will Be The Year

Today is the first day of 2014.  I have huge goals and aspirations for this year.  I have been saying for months that 2014 will be my year, and hopefully with hard work and determination, that will be the case.  I have been reflecting a lot on this past year and trying to also be more clear with myself about what I want out of 2014.  How can I really turn this into a career?  How can I improve everyday and keep growing as a dancer, choreographer, artist, person?  I was reading an article the other day about not setting goals, but setting systems to make those goals come true, and it really spoke to me.  One of the problems with goals the article pointed out is that people can feel like a failure if they don’t complete it and stay on track perfectly.  That is something I can definitely relate to.  I am going to try to enjoy the process of working hard, getting in shape, training in classes, auditioning, and all the other components of what I am doing.  I know what I want.  Well, to a degree, I don’t know exactly what path in dance I want to do, but I digress.  I know I want to dance professionally.  This year I will fight to make that happen.

In December, I auditioned and got accepted into the Establish Your Empire experience NY/Jersey Vol. 4 with the incredible Gigi Torres.  She is such an amazing artist, teacher, and person, and I feel so blessed that I got to work with her and get to know her over the week long experience.  It was an intense program and I learned a lot.  We performed her piece at Prelude EC 2013.  Guess who hosted Prelude EC 2013… Project D Dance Company.  So I was a liaison for a team that day, I performed with Gigi’s EYE experience, Project D, and Project D’s fambam set (Project D and Defined Movement, our junior team). So needless to say, that day was a little stressful, but also so much fun. The following Friday, Epic Motion Dance Company hosted a benefit showcase for a Philippines relief fund. We had 7 groups from the NY dance community perform and it was such a great time with a great group of people, all for a great cause. How could that be better? We performed Stay, the same piece from WOD Boston and NJ. The link is in my last blog post if you want to see it!

I also went to Iowa for a week and a half over Christmas time.  It was a nice break from reality and just gave me time to refocus and really reflect on what I want.  While I was there, I got new headshots, started working on my reel, worked on my resume, designed my business card, and just tried to make sure that when I hit the dance industry world, my complete package represents me in a fantastic way.  Hopefully this year becomes everything I want it to be, and I become everything I want to be.  As always, the links below are the pieces I talked about in this post. Thank youuu! :) Goodbye 2013.  2014. It’s time. Let’s do this.

Project D | Prelude EC 2013

Project D Fambam | Prelude EC 2013

Gigi Torres presents E.Y.E. | Prelude EC 2013

Team Performances

Oops.  I missed November on here completely.  Maybe I should make a schedule of when I should post on here to be more consistent.  We’ll see.  Happy late Thanksgiving!!  What have I been doing recently.  I have been working on choreography a lot.  Trying out different styles and musicality.  I feel like I am growing in that sense.  I also really want to get more into the freestyle community here.  I love freestyling for fun so much, but I am trying to get my confidence up so I can use that skill in a cypher or audition situation.  I was able to go to Movement Lifestyle theTour in Washington DC in October.  It was an amazing weekend, filled with seeing dance family from everywhere.  All my worlds colliding, and it was amazing being in that positive and supportive environment.  The choreographers were talented and passionate.  However, I should have made more of an effort to talk to them when I was there.  That is something I will work on next time in that situation.  I also did not perform as well as I know I could have in groups. I don't know if it was because I knew everyone there and so I was thinking about trying to make people proud of me or because I was in DC not NY, or what, but that is a problem and I am addressing it and trying to improve. Overall though, I am starting to feel more comfortable at Broadway Dance Center and in classes around in the community.  Which I definitely think is helping me relax in classes and really focus on growing instead feeling so intimidated by everyone.  I am meeting people everyday and you already know I LOVE that. haha I am trying to take in this whole experience and learn from everyone I can.  I also have some video projects in the works and hopefully some other things as well.  I feel like I say this every time, but I will stop saying it when it is no longer true. Which might be never. haha But thank you to every single person who has given me a comment, like, message, share, anything and everything that supports what I am trying to do.  It means SOOO much to me, and it is honestly such motivation to keep working hard.  Thank you.

I was able to perform with Epic Motion Dance Company at World of Dance Boston 2013 and World of Dance New Jersey 2013.  The piece we performed was not a typical piece for WOD.  It had a contemporary feel, along with an emotional story.  Performing this piece was such a rush just to really enjoy the movement and express myself on stage.  The choreographers for that piece Kris and Shoey, are both such amazing artists and I hope I get to work with them again.  I pulled a muscle in my left leg, and although I had to perform with it being injured at WOD NJ, it has fully recovered at this point. I also got to perform with Project D Dance Company for the first time at Reign or Shine VII.  Although Project D is a huge group, I feel very close with them, and when they say they are about family and community, it is true.  What an amazing group of people that I am very blessed to call them my friends and my new dance family.  

I am so happy that I was able to contribute and be a choreographer for the 5 Pointz community tribute video project set up by my good friend Kaily.  Choreographing partner pieces has become easier now that I have done it more, so that's good since I have been loving partner work recently. haha 5 Pointz was an amazing place where graffiti artists from all over the world have come over the years to express themselves and actually seeing it was overwhelming.  Unfortunately, 5 Pointz since then has been painted over completely white which has been hard for the entire hip-hop community.  Days before this landmark was destroyed, we were luckily able to film the piece just in time.  I had a blast working with everyone on this project and am thankful for all the dancers’ hard work in my piece, and all of the pieces.  Thank you guys!!!  If you are interested, I will list the links below to all of the pieces I have talked about here.  

Epic Motion | "Stay" | World of Dance Boston 2013

Epic Motion | "Stay" | World of Dance New Jersey 2013

Reign or Shine VII | Project D

Dance for 5 Pointz

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Staying Focused

Oh my goodness, my last post was so inspired.  hahaha Hello people!  I haven’t been as perfectly motivated as my previous post shows.  However, it is still a big improvement from before I wrote that.  But I am not done.  Hopefully by checking in with my blog, and keeping things like my previous post in mind, will keep me focused on what I want.  I have been working out consistently as well as taking a lot more classes.  I finished up with my internship, so that was the last not dance related thing in my life.  The weirdest part of all of this, I still just want to dance everyday.  I am trying to keep a realistic outlook on everything in my life as well.  What I mean by that is if I start resenting dance, or finding myself not wanting to dance, I will re-evaluate my life and my choices.  However, for the time being, I still can’t imagine doing anything else with my life.  I am also very thankful for my new dance families up here in New York and New Jersey.  I look forward to my rehearsals with them, and honestly hate missing a practice or an event.  I truly can not describe how much it means to me to have gotten so close with a lot of people in my groups so quickly.  I don’t think they have any idea how much they mean to me.  Going from having pretty much no one up here, to having different groups of amazing people is indescribable.  I just like people!  I’m a people person. haha  So if any of you guys are reading this, thank you. But that's not all, I also have my KODACHROME and Blank Canvas family. Whattt?! I am the luckiest person in the world. I miss all of them and can not wait to see them very soon!!! ;)

Anyways, recently I have been trying to focus on my fashion more than just my dancing.  Fashion and my appearance is such a huge part in this world, that I need to step my game up.  I also have been working a lot on choreography and concepts for videos and projects.  I absolutely love the process that goes into creating a video and trying to tell a story through my pieces.  It can definitely have its stresses as well, but overall, I love it.  The response I got from my most recent video was unbelievable.  The support I felt and the joy that it seemed to bring people was… I don’t even know how to describe it.  Just amazing.  Anyone who supports me in any way, is such a motivator for me.  I just want to make you all proud and maybe even inspire a person or two.  The link to my video is below!!  Check it out and if you like it share it! This journey is still just beginning, and I want to really take in the entire experience.

Amy Connerley | No Faith In Brooklyn

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New Mind Set

I have been lying.  I have been lying to myself and everyone around me.  What I said in my last post, and what I say to so many people who ask me, "if you're not working right now, what are you doing?" is a lie.  I tell people, I am just focusing on getting in shape and dancing as much as I can.  That, my friends, was a lie.  I was not dancing as much as I could.  Although I am on my two crews, and I take sporadic classes here and there, it was no where near the amounts that it should be if I actually want to make this a career.  I don't even use the classes that I work study at BDC for half the time.  That means, I am literally, working for free, and not even utilizing what I am doing.  How many opportunities may I have missed due to my lack of motivation.  Staying home all day, sending out cover letters and resumes to get some random part time job is not moving me forward.  I took my first ballet class in months today.  It wasn't horrible, but I definitely could feel my lack of practice.   

The last week has been so up and down in my personal life, and something today just hit me.  This weekend, I got to dance from some amazing choreographers and people from California and it was just very inspiring.  Where I am at right now, is not moving forward.  It is a very lazy attempt of success, just waiting for the "right" opportunity to come up for me.  Well that is changing right now.  I have discussed it with my family, and I will not be getting a part time job, (if I do, it will be very part time, and very flexible) and I will not be applying for any more internships or office positions.  Paying for all the expenses to live in NY and go for my dream, without really giving it everything I have is pointless.  For the next 5 months, I will be focused on preparing the the spring and for my dance career.  I will be working out daily, not most days, daily, as well as taking a minimum of 6 classes at BDC every week, going to my rehearsals, teaching for the volunteer organization I am working with, and doing sporadic auditions as well.  I am going to be organized, and I am going to eat healthy all the time.  I just found the motivation I had when I graduated early and lost a lot of weight, and I am not letting it go this time.  Anyone reading this, you are more than welcome, to check in and remind me of this post and make sure I am staying on task.  To be successful, you have to be the best you can be.  I have not been aiming for that.  That is over.  It is a new day, and it starts right now.  Until next time friends.

Preperation

Helloooo.  Seriously, summer is over. What? Really. It’s ridiculous.  I am just trying to comprehend how busy I could get very quickly once September hits and more of my commitments start to begin.  My main focuses right now are getting in shape still and training and dancing as much as I can.  I am a part of three crews now, which may not be the best idea for my overcommitment self, but I really enjoy each group and the different styles and vibes each of them have.  I unfortunately did have to tell two other crews recently that I just would not be able to join as an official member due to my schedule already.  Saying no is a very hard thing for me to do, but I realize if I don’t, then I won’t be able to do my best and succeed in any group.  Also, I have started running consistently.  That may be the worst decision I have ever made.  No, I’m kidding, but I do still whine about it pretty much every single time I go.  On a positive note though, I believe I am getting better at not stopping and walking, and going a little bit further each time.  So am I becoming a runner? Who am i?! haha

I am still on the job hunt, now exclusively for part time work.  I do have a dance instructor position that starts in September, and I am very excited to be a part of the studio faculty.  Unfortunately, this job will not be enough to live on, so I still need to find something else.  I have also been doing a lot of choreography lately.  I am definitely a perfectionist when it comes to choreographing pieces.  Which means a lot of going back and changing things multiple times, but I really want to make sure each piece I put online, teach, perform, or anything like that, is something I can be proud of.  Speaking of pieces, I know my YouTube has been slacking.  However, there are pieces in the works, and should be up very soon!  At the moment, everything I am doing is to prepare to attack the dance scene for next spring.  That is when I hope to be in great shape, with my technique, pick-up, and performance skills as high as they possibly can be.  I was talking to my friend the other day, and I told him, “I feel that 2014 will be my make or break year.”  I believe that wholeheartedly.  Everyday I get a step closer to where I want to be, and I am going to try to make the most out of the rest of this year, and really get prepared to do big things in 2014.  Stay tuned for the future. 

A Balancing Act

It’s already July.  I can not believe that.  In the last month, what has happened?  Well, I am now a work studies participant at Broadway Dance Center, and because of that, I am able to take a lot more classes there than before I started the work study program.  I am ecstatic about this opportunity because obviously, the choreographers and teachers at BDC are so talented and have vast knowledge of the whole industry.  I had some lovely visitors during June, and it was great to spend time with some of my NC dance family.  In a few weeks, I am performing with a hip-hop crew from the Bronx at an event.  I am very grateful that they invited me to be a part of this event with them.  I auditioned for a paid hip-hop performance group for events around New York City and was happy when I found out that I was selected to be a part of it.  Any opportunity that I will be able to make any money doing what I love, getting experience, and exposure, is something that makes me feel very blessed.  I also joined a crew in NJ.  The commute is not too bad, but it isn’t fun by any means.  This group is huge but they are very into the family and community aspect of a crew, which is something I really like about them.  They are also a very talented group of people, which of course will give me a great opportunity to learn anything I can from them and hopefully share anything I have to offer with them as well.  

This past weekend, I had final shows for my two companies that I had previously joined.  Of course I love performing and being on stage, so the weekend flew by.  There were some scheduling and regular day of the show stresses, but overall, my experience with both groups was positive.  Now, I have to decide which groups I can do all at the same time, because as you can see, I am kind of all over the place with different groups and commitments, so scheduling is a little bit tricky.  I have some big decisions to make in the next few weeks, and I quite possibly could be the worst decision maker of all time.  I hate it.  I am so indecisive. It is a problem, but I am working on it. hahah. However, I am excited about all of these opportunities and I really hope that I can make it work and participate in the groups that will help me move forward in my dance career, along with making good connections and friends as well.  On the more negative side of things, my computer has a virus and that is just miserable, because everything I do when I am home is on the computer.  There is also a mouse in my apartment, and I am the biggest scaredy cat alive, so that is a problem.  I’ve also gotten a few negative dance reviews recently and feedback that hurts to hear, and although I know it is all part of being in this industry, it doesn’t make it any easier to hear.  I may end up getting an hourly simple job, which I was really trying to avoid.  I got the business degree and I really wanted to utilize it to get a job with a little more substance and responsibility to it, while also gaining useful experience.  So as it would be expected, there a lot of ups and downs on this journey and I am just trying to stay positive and use the negatives to fuel my progress for my dancing goals for the future.

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Twitter: AConn47