What We do With our Talents can be Very Inspirational for Others

As a retired dance studio owner, and as an avid dance instructor, I have spent the last little while reflecting on what people do or don't do with the talent they have.  And, is it right to not use your talent and let it go to waste? 

When I first started learning about Cape Breton Stepdancing over a decade ago, I was thrilled at the level of expertise that was passed down from generation to generation and from family to family.  There was so much history in this art form, and so much personality in the style that each family had and where their steps came from.  For the Fraser Descendents, this is a big part of their story.  Willie Fraser, a famous and sought after dancer and gaelic singer from Inverness County, first learned how to dance when he was four years old.  He would wake up from dreams in the night with steps in his head and pronounce to the family what he had learned the night before.  After several weeks of these dreams Willie had a series of steps to string together and to practice in the day time.  As Willie became an adult, he was well known across Cape Breton Island for his steps.  Even after he was married and with several children, he would come home from work and a car would be waiting for him to take him to a dance where people would be waiting to see him show his steps.  In those days there was hardly enough money for the fiddler and the piano player, so the stepdancers performed for their own love of the dance.  On one such occasion the Priest of the local parish felt obligated to give Willie something for all his efforts to come out to the event and leave his family and wife at home, so he blessed Willie's feet in thanks.  From that day forward it was an honor to say to the dancer - "Bless Your Feet" after their performance.

Willie has expressed in interviews about those days, that he felt if he was given the gift of dance, then it was his obligation to go where the dance was needed.  It would be rude for a stepdancer to not get up for the fiddler playing a Strathspey for the dancers and to disappoint a waiting audience.  The same holds true for musicians and performers.  How often do you see talented people being coaxed to get up and perform, and they refuse to oblige?  They think it is awkward and presumptuous that people would be interested in them.  Sometimes they are shy and want us to buy into that too.  For those people without artistic capabilities it is a real disappointment to not enjoy the talents that others have been gifted with - no matter what level of expertise they are at.    We all enjoy being entertained and a supporter of a performance.

On the bulletin board in my office I have hung many quotes over the years.  One that has stuck out to remind me of why I need to perform when the opportunity arises is:  "Nervousness is a Selfish Act" - anon.  When I have felt my feet weren't ready to perform, or I was not sure about getting up infront of the audience in the hall for the night, or if I had not practiced and I was not confident in my muscle memory, I remembered my gift.  I remembered my opportunity.  I remembered my audience.  I have an obligation to get up and perform, and I know I need to enjoy every moment of my gift and completely give to my audience.  It would be selfish of me to deny us all and let fear dominate the evening.

As a teacher I was always encouraging my students to chase their dreams, embrace their opportunities and to shine wherever possible.  This past month has been the start of the festival and competition season, and the dancers I left behind a year ago are now reaching their first performances without me.  I am sad that I am no longer their teacher, and I am sad that I am not the one leading them this year.  However, I am thrilled that my passion for performance and sharing has helped them push through this year of big changes as they embraced their own passions. 

The first performance of excitement was a fundraising event to support alternative cancer treatments.  Many of my former students chose to use their talent to create a statement.  A very talented musical theatre singer arranged a favorite piece of music called "Home" originally sung by Vanessa Carlton, and gathered her friends into a band using their musical skills.  I should note here that these performers are all preteens.  Then, a former dance student, choreographed a moving lyrical piece to accompany the band and singer.  They created this piece for a close friend of theirs, my daughter, who has battled Hodgkins Lymphoma this winter and who has not been well enough to perform.  At the time of the performance we were not sure if she was cancer free yet, so her friends rallied to perform a piece that would inspire her to dig deep and succeed to find her health, with the knowledge that no matter how far away everyone was, they were all "home" with her and they were supporting her through this ordeal.    I burst with pride knowing that they have all embraced their talents and they have let their passion shine through to bring their gifts to others.

The second performance of excitement was the first competition event for the season.  Changing teachers, changing styles of dance, and changing studios was a big adjustment for everyone.  My son was able to spend some time at the competition watching these former dance students and he called after the event bursting with pride.  He could not believe how all of our former students were shining.  They were passionate.  They were strong.  They were well prepared.  And, they were confident to share their talents with the world.  Again I burst with pride thinking about how these dancers had embraced their passion, dug down deep and found a way to shine in a big way with their own performances.  They are the next generation that will go forward to share their talents with the world. They are not afraid to express themselves and use their talents to help others realize they should chase their own dreams. 

Being an artist is such an incredible gift.  We can be passionate, expressive, crazy, or anything we want to be.  And, we have the power to put a smile on peoples faces.  We can bring energy to bodies that don't have the ability to do what we are doing.  And, we can inspire and motivate others to try their best and chase their own passions.  If you have the talent and gift - Celebrate.  If you witness the gift - Celebrate.  But, most importantly don't let nervousness bring hesitation to your passion and prevent you from doing what you were given the opportunity to do - Perform and Love It!