People who have children in dance know that May / June is the time of year that the studios put on their end-of-year performances. My girls both started to dance at Carousel when they were three and I’ve enjoyed every single performance that the studio has created. Last night was Lauryn’s first recital performance of three and it is the performance that we all had tickets to see. I love watching her dance… she has a grace and strength that work beautifully together.
This was the first year that Cailyn wasn’t performing. Entering Grade 9 this last fall, she couldn’t manage dance on top of Basketball and weekly chemotherapy. I thought she’d join for the second or third session but that thought was dashed when we learned that her foot surgery would be set for April.
Eleven years ago, I was talking to someone about my desire to get Cailyn into dance as a way for her to get therapy through something she had loved to do prior to her surgeries. She recommended that I give Carousel a call, as she understood that there was someone there who had experience working with children who had neurological weakness. I gave Carousel a call and I can say it has turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made for my girls’ activities.
I love the positive energy of the studio. It is a place where all levels of ability are welcome, and all can flourish. Each dancer is treated as an important piece of the overall puzzle and the students are inspired to grow their abilities and their creativity. There are many spectacular pieces in this year’s performance but I think the performance that got the most vocal support was “Dance for EveryBODY’s” Tetris dance. Supporting people who have different abilities is an important mandate for the leaders of Carousel and it is an aspect of Carousel that is embraced. Watching one of the leaders and a few of the Dance Company’s members dance on stage with this class is an example of how the studio walks their talk.
I thank you, Carousel, for the contributions you have made to my girls becoming the young women they are.