KMWP LESLIE WALKER WRITERS OF PROMISE CONTEST

2011 WINNING ESSAYS

*                      *                      * 

Empty studio. Endless possibilities. This is what I feel when I enter the studio at Georgia Dance Conservatory. This is the place where I take dance lessons. When I am in one of the empty studios there, I feel like life is all about me. I can do any step I wish. I can make my steps in this empty room into a dance. This is my special place. 

This studio is in an old building on the corner of a busy street on the historic Marietta Square. From the windows in Studio #1 I can see Glover Park, quaint shops, people eating in outdoor cafes, and cars driving past. From the street, people walking by can peer up and see Miss Shelley, my dance teacher, giving instruction and hear her giving corrections over the music. Even they can see that this place is important. 

This is the place where I both take and help teach dance. I have classes in this place three times a week now. On Monday nights, it is an hour and a half of ballet. On Thursday, I have three hours of dance; back to back classes of pointe and jazz. On Friday, I am back in this place to take another pointe class for an hour and a half. I love all my classes. In my pointe shoes, I feel strong and powerful. In my jazz shoes, I am a star, energetic and bright. When I wear my ballet shoes in this place, I feel as if the world is in my hands and I can do anything and be anything I want to be. 

Busy studio. On Saturdays, this place becomes special to three classes full of little girls who come to “my place.” On Saturday mornings, it becomes “their place” too. I love watching the little dancers rush into the studio with smiling faces and wait for their teacher, “Miss Irene.” Each time she says in the same dramatic voice, “Good Morning Lovely Ladies…Come in for class!” all the girls, myself included, immediately feel excited and happy to be there. On Saturday mornings, this is the place where I become “Miss Joelie,” Miss Irene’s Teaching Assistant. 

When I am auditioning for a part, this place changes. I feel differently about it. It seems more serious. I feel anxious and a little worried. When the Company level dancers are practicing for an upcoming production and we don’t get a routine correct and get reprimanded, this place makes me feel like I have to try harder and do better next time. 

This place seems special to everyone who is here. It is special to the little girls, to Company level dancers like myself, and to the teachers. This is my special place and it feels like my second home.