April 12 Message to Clients
Hello and Happy Spring!
It's been a long while since I reached out and I wanted to let you know that I think of you often and sincerely hope that you are healthy and well. I actually sent this email on April 2, but its become clear to me that most people did not receive it, so I'm resending a slightly revised version (please forgive if you did receive my email last week).
It's hard to believe that it's been over a year since studios closed for what we thought would be a few weeks! I continue to work from home at my dining room table and teach BeMoved from my living room (a few feet away!). And while my patience with confinement and lack of group interaction is wearing thin, I try to focus energy on the silver-linings, here's a few of mine:
I'm deeply grateful to have not lost anyone I love to the virus, nor gotten sick - and I hope the same is true for you (if not, my deep condolences);
I've seen some of you in virtual classes more regularly than ever and its meant the world to me that we've traveled this road TOGETHER;
I've learned how to teach class facing people (my left = your right, most of the time!);
Together we've raised over $7,000 for Lucky Plush artists during this long, difficult intermission. Thank you for this wonderful win-win-win amidst a tough-tough-tough year;
I was able to be home with our beloved old hound dogs in their final days;
I've redecorated my home a bit, since its the only 'theater' I've got!
But, I'll admit, pandemic burnout is real. Patience has been tested and resilience is more important than ever. So I want to offer you some encouragement to keep moving forward.
We will never be the same, but hopefully we've found ways to grow new roots, new branches. I've certainly learned to appreciate things I once took for granted. I know each one of you, so I know that you are strong, resilient and brave. I look forward to doing things as a community again, sharing stories about our pandemic experiences, and our beautiful tribe dancing together in a studio again!
On this note, I want to take your temperature on how you feel about in-person classes. The Joffrey reached out about putting our Monday night class on their summer schedule (June 14 - Sep 22) in hopes that in-person adult classes can resume -- and Visceral is open to hosting our Sunday morning class (their beautiful new studios will be just west of Belmont/Western with street parking). I know that many people have been vaccinated, and I get my 2nd shot next week, so I feel like the light at the end of the tunnel is beginning to reveal itself --or maybe its the promise of renewal that Spring brings? Either way, I'm interested in hearing how you feel about in-person classes. I'm not looking for any commitments, just comments about what it would require for you to be comfortable returning to a studio for class. Both studios will follow CDC guidelines of limited class sizes, social distancing, masks, and extra cleaning. I imagine I'll continue to teach at least one VIRTUAL class/week, if there are dancers interested, and I plan to organize a few outdoor event/classes again as weather permits, so there's a lot to look forward to!
Meanwhile, I invite those of you who haven't joined me in Zoomland for a class, to please do so - I'd really love to see & dance with you! There are also some really awesome classes offered on Virtual Dance Lab with extraordinary teachers that I think many of you would enjoy. And of course, the growing catalog of classes available on-demand on BeMoved's digital studio is well worth the monthly subscription (I'll be recording more classes for this platform next month).
Before I sign off, a few recommendations that, if we were to see each other in class, I am sure I would have told you about:
I found the book Untamed by Glennon Doyle incredibly powerful;
I'm really enjoying the singing, dancing, laughing and crying that is Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (available to watch free on Peacock);
I've also watched all of The Great British Baking Shows ...twice :)
Please give yourself a hug for me and when you have time, please let me know how you are, what you're reading/watching, and how you feel about coming back to the studio.
Be Well,