This month of May was dedicated to career transitions for dancers. I talked to 4 former professional dancers (you can find on IGTV @daielma) and their choices when it came to the end of their performing career. Each one had a different story that inspires and motivates others to trust their instincts. Everything we do in life is connected. Things we learn, hear, see... They are all part of a big plan. When we look back at our journey, to all the steps we took, they were all working together in this master plan. Every time we felt uncomfortable it was time to expand and to grow.
Dance is a part of life that enriches us with discipline, appreciation for music, challenge for the body and mind as well an amazing emotional ride. There is so much joy in dancing when we reach a level of maturity, acceptance and understanding of our physicality, sense of dare and surrender.
I asked Jennifer Cavanaugh (former dancer with American Repertory Theater and NCDT) how she transitioned from dance to becoming a nurse. What led her to make her choice and how was/is dance for her.
I love her story. It's not only inspiring but makes the dancer look at her/his profession with so much respect.
"I had a post dance plan for many years...I have in my head it takes years to become an expert in a field and after striving to become an expert since the age of 9 in dance, I wanted the time in my next profession to do so. I also wanted to finish with people asking me why? Rather than when she will get off the stage? I did use Career Transitions for Dancers, but really they just helped me recognize what I already knew that I wanted to do something in medicine and it was a good match for me. I was able to support myself with my pilates and dance teaching during my transitions financially, although CTFD did offer some grants as well. Initially I thought I was going to be a doctor... but ultimately I followed my mother's example and became a RN instead, with a plan to become a nurse practitioner eventually like her... which I haven't yet done. I started with my prerequisites during my last few years of dancing (I had not done any college before dance) and was ready for and applied for full time nursing school my last year of dancing. It was lovely to know it was my last year and celebrate each last experience with all of my co-workers and audience. I love my new profession and feel it defines me as much as dance did. It was an easy transition for me, rewarding experience, and I feel so lucky for it, because I don't long for or miss my years as a dancer., which was also an amazing most fantastic adventure as well. I was terrified to start something new... and who I would be when I did so. Dancers are pretty special and I was so afraid of loosing the "special" about me if that makes any sense. I now feel that dance makes me the excellent student I was as well and the excellent anything I will be in the future. It sets one up for an attention for detail and no fear of hard work... and a drive to always improve one's skills and performance. An asset to any profession we move on to.
I must say, in addition to planning my next step and that transition, I am forever thankful for being able to be an older dancer. It really does allow you to enjoy the moment more after having survived the many times you thought you weren't ready, left distracted once you have your moment on stage, shifting the focus to more about the fear of failure than enjoying the experience and your real power to give yourself to the moment with confidence and trust in your ability (and the power of adrenaline of course). There is a certain amount of confidence and intelligence in movement as you become an older dancer that I wish I could have known when I was a younger dancer. More effort is not always better. Moving with only the amount of effort and the greatest amount of trust changes everything. The look of how you move and how much you are allowed to enjoy the ride...If that makes any sense!
It also lengthens out your career and longevity of your body as you learn to respect and trust your training and experience...and skill. I feel so very lucky to have found that because all the worry about my body shape and not being as good as I should was Really just a distraction from my true abilities and how I now perceive the profession. I feel lucky to have had such an experience and bring that confidence with me into the other challenges life has given me. A certain trust in myself and the power of focus and hard work as well as resilience face such challenges. I'm glad you (Daielma) are able to give back to dancers like this, such a delicate balance of strength and fragility. ..both physical and emotional."
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