Tracie Stanfield

  Often, in my NYC classes, I work with dancers who are fixated on being technically correct. It sounds harmless enough until the joy is stolen from moving and the dancer becomes “paralyzed” in the choreography.    They are so busy dancing that they are not DANCING! I always joke that technique is not the name of a mountain in China to be climbed. There will never be a moment in a dancers life where they can plant the flag at the top of this mountain and be PERFECT. A life in dance is a life dedicated to process. The process is mindful practice, lots of trust, even more classes and then letting strong technique serve you, not carry you.     If you find yourself just going through the motions…here is some homework on understanding how to DANCE while you dance…    - Give yourself a ballet barre to your favorite music. The goal is to match the accents of the music with your breath, your reach and your line, while completing each exercise. Interpret the exercise instead of exercising the e

                                             STOP  telling me to YELL at  you... This keeps happening!! A student introduced herself before class by saying “you can yell at me. Really! Just scream at me”. Umm….thank you??    I understand that this dancer is trying to convey her dedication, her thick skin and her strong desire to improve. However, in my experience, this dancer tends to not know her body. (Again, in my experience) This dancer is less spatially aware and technically weaker than others in the class. My suspicion is that her need to be “yelled at” is a direct result of not working internally and not actively listening in class. This dancer maybe zones out and needs to be brought back to NOW by the screaming. OR this dancer is so busy being “right” and perhaps relying on things she “has always been told” about technique that the present moment is lost   I am in class to educate, guide and hopefully inspire but motivation must come from within. Instead of waiting for the teac

  Quietly making a life in dance. On your own terms. Is a beautiful thing.   It is perfectly acceptable to yearn for a success that has little to do with insta-fame or your name in lights. It is also perfectly acceptable to dream of those exact things.  Not every soul was created to burn brightly for all to notice. That energy doesn’t feel right to every person. There are many quotes on social media about “hard work makes dreams come true”.  It’s inspiring but the truth is that some doors might not open for you. It is frustrating but there can be power on the other side of this. The power of choice. Asking yourself what feels natural, organic and real for you. We all have the uncle who keeps asking us when we will be on SYTYCD! As if there is only one road to success... Where is your magic? Where do you feel the most alive? Creating a world inside of another world on an empty stage with a gesture and a breath can be magic. Magic can also be a develope to the heavens. Don’t be fooled