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Black History Month - Artists Who Inspired Me by Kelsey Green

 

When I was around 3 years old, my mom signed me up for dance class to help with my confidence, as I was a very shy child. When I was five or six years old I saw Savion Glover on Sesame Street. I was in awe of his tapping and how much joy he emitted while he danced. I knew right then and there that I wanted to share dance with whomever I could in hopes I would bring the same joy into their lives, as he had to mine. I looked for him every time Sesame Street came on TV, and was so happy whenever he was on the show. 

Around that same time, I was also highly inspired by Michael Jackson, as so many in my generation were. His movement was unmatched by anyone that preceded him, and I absolutely made it a goal to be able to learn choreography from music videos and put on shows in my living room to whoever was willing to watch (at times it was only my stuffed animals).  I learned to love moving and it became my outlet. Whether I was having the best day or worst day, dance allowed me to dance through my emotions and help process them. 

With each “chapter” of my dance life, I had many people that inspired me. Most of them were my teachers and mentors, who today are still in my life and still inspire me as a teacher and person. I think we forget sometimes how important it is to talk to our young dancers about who inspires them and why. I think realizing WHY someone inspires you or your young dancer can speak much more about their goals and what they see is important in what they do. Maybe they are inspired by a dancer who works the hardest in class, or maybe they are inspired by a dancer who is an amazing performer, or maybe they are inspired by the dancer who is the kindest to everyone. To me these all say different things and can be one way to help us guide our youth to what they individually want to achieve. 

I have so many dancers that work professionally that inspire me now, but the people I am inspired by most in my adult life are my co-workers and friends that teach, choreograph and lead youth. I look to them for direction, advice, and inspiration daily. The dance world has this larger than life community to gift those that grow up in it. The five year old me who looked up to Savion and Michael had small but mighty goals back then, and I am grateful for the stepping stones each person who has inspired me ended up gifting me. Each person has helped me get to where I am and I am forever grateful for that!


 
 


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