I missed dance to go down the river with my friends.

As we acclimatise to what might be the hottest May half term I can actually remember … what’s the deal with missing class to head to the beach? A family bbq? Is it okay? Is it not?

I’m all for commitment (see article 1/30!) but sometimes something has to give.

There’s some big events and competitions happening this week and there have been some soloist drop outs - and I’d say a lot of them are due to heatwave.

If you’re a dance teacher it’s sometimes hard to relate to people who aren’t self employed or who school holidays don’t mean time off. I spoke to someone yesterday - they were a muggle - I was suprised people would drop out of their solos- and he simply said. ‘But if this is dad’s weekend off, the sun is out and the drive is 2 hours, that could be some rare family time which takes priority’. And at that point I thought to myself, true, can you put a price on that? I knew that I had a few days off coming midweek where I could do whatever I wanted with my kids in the summer sun, it wasn’t limited to just one day.

Whilst missing a team piece would have been different - in this instance something bigger than dance took the lead. And I just want to remind us all, even myself, when we get all caught up in it all - that whilst dance is life, life can also live without dance.

Now this article could completely backfire on me. I’ll have seniors not turning up because they’ve gone down the river - it’s right by one of the main studios I teach - but actually I think it won’t because the commitment is hardwired in anyone who steps into the studio, as a team no one wants to let anyone else down and in turn they might go to the river - but it’ll be after class.

You might be thinking - how do you get that level of commitment? I’m careful not to overbook - I don’t believe kids should miss out on birthday parties just because they’ve got class on a Saturday. If it’s a normal class and not a setting session (I set groups in bulk sessions), a final rehearsal or an event go to the party. If you’ve got a party on a Friday evening and you’re a teen- go after class. Fashionably late is still a thing.

I’d never book anything extra on Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day, I stay well away from Christmas (the school holidays are short enough as it is- and imagine, oh I never got to see Santa this year because I had to do my acro associates…!) Summer for my dancers means 6 weeks off - or possibly the odd intensive. I believe that dance and creativity is bolstered by life experiences - want your Mean Girls piece to hit… don’t say ‘prom clashes with your ballet exam practice’ - find ways to incentivise your students to attend as much as they can, make notes or videos if they can’t attend for a valid reason. Don’t make them feel guilty.

I’m not saying lack of commitment is okay.

What I’m saying is don’t become resented because of your workaholic mindset or worry your studios ego means that you forget that the dancers in front of you are humans too.

And that wonderful and beautiful quote resounds for this article…

Give people a chance. They’re living life for the first time too.

Find the balance. and whatever you do. Drink your electrolytes if you’re in the studio this week - it’s a hot one!