A Moment of Worship

A post by Kelly Negvesky, mom of two ballet V students. 

In the womb she seemed to always be moving and when she breathed deep on this globe, I recognized the movements. So, no surprise that she spoke to us often in movement. She learned her alphabet running from letter to letter on the stairs in our house. And if music sounded on the airwaves, she wafted through her daily life moving to it. Always, moving to it.

Creative movement dance class at the age of 4 seemed a given. The dance teacher instructed me that the class was more for me than her. Partly true, she moved so much and a creative space to learn to do that without knocking over an aisle display seemed wise.  But the journey into worship that she would draw me into with each performance proved an unexpected delight.

When I embarked on this mom journey, I spent a lot of time processing what I wanted these offspring, these adults to-one-day-be, to look like when they present themselves on the world’s stage. I wanted productive, diligent, dynamic people that lived a life shining the glory of their God. Who would believe that I’d find the ballet studio to be the ultimate training ground to help develop just such character?

From 4 year old creative movement to the heights of pointe work, I have watched my daughters wrestle kindness, perseverance, trustworthiness, and teamwork. Watched them dig deep to find gratitude when they were not cast in a primary role; offer true congratulations to the one who did. Take the time to include and draw out a ballerina that feels her body type or abilities fall short of where she wants to be.

It has been a blessing to find instructors passionate about the heart and soul of the girl over her center stage potential and ultimately her reflective nature on the studio. These instructors do exist and move after move it has taken but a little prayer to uncover these unique teachers, unique studios. If you are wondering, Still Pointe is just such a place.

Each dance year culminates in that final recital. I claim a seat front and center in a generic auditorium and take in this year’s growth and development, glittery costumes and props. But when the music plays, I realize the music and movement is drawing me to a place most holy, when the dancer becomes a conduit that beckons me into the throne room of a King and the Holy Spirit indwells this generic auditorium. It is a moment of worship most unique. 

Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo

Each year, Still Pointe gives an award to students who have been studying with us for 5 consecutive years. In the next few weeks, our fairy godmother will be putting the finishing touches on beautifully decorated pointe shoes for the honorees. These uniquely designed awards will be presented at our annual spring concert. Congratulations to this year's hardworking students! We love you! 

Finding a Home

Post by Ellie Swiger. 
Ellie Swiger graduated from Chattahoochee High School summa cum laude in the spring of 2014. She is continuing her education at Georgia Tech with a major in Industrial Engineering and minors in computer science and technical communication. When she's not studying, she volunteers at a local afterschool center, coordinates Homecoming and Greek Week activities for her sorority, plans events for the freshman class through the Freshman Activities Board, and comes back to visit Still Pointe as much as possible.

Dancing is something that gets in your blood- once you identify as a dancer, especially as a ballerina, you can never go back.  And since I started dancing at the wee age of 3, I was hooked from the start.  Ballet was bound to be a part of my life. This has plenty of perks: dancing is great exercise, teaches good discipline, and is a fantastic creative outlet.  However, it is surprisingly difficult to find a studio with people with whom you actually want to spend the amount of time a commitment to ballet requires.  Oftentimes dancers are catty, clique-y, and overly competitive.

Throughout my entire dancing career, I refused to accept these tendencies.  I was never ready to let my love for ballet lead me into relationships with people who did not have my best interests in mind, who didn't value the same things I did, who made me want to skip class because I felt unwelcome and under constant scrutiny.  I became a studio-hopper.  Over 11 years of dancing, I went to 10 different studios.  I hadn't spent a summer NOT studio shopping in what seemed like forever.  I took it to be a normal part of the ballet experience.

All of that changed when I came to Sill Pointe.  My first class, everyone immediately introduced themselves to me, welcomed me, helped me learn the steps to any of the set barre combinations, and congratulated me when I conquered the dreaded "8 8 4 4 2 2 1 1" combo.  After the class was over, I felt like I had made a bunch of new friends and learned a lot.  This feeling never went away, and I kept coming back- I couldn't get enough of the positive attitudes, love, and encouragement I was constantly surrounded with.  And I was learning more and more each class, and actually improving. I think that part of the reason for this was the incredible teachers, and the other part was the fact that Still Pointe has an atmosphere that encourages pushing oneself- because if you fall, they'll be there to pick you up, and cheer you on for working that hard.  I'd never found that before, and I don't know if I'll ever find it again, but I don't mind, because I know I can always call Still Pointe my dance home, and I will be coming back as often as possible.