Hey everyone! What's up? I realized that I hadn't posted in awhile and I figured I should before I get really busy. You see June is a weird month for me, I go from my dance recital and people calling me Kelcie to people calling me Dreamer at Camp Harlow literally within 24 hours.
I just did my last day of dance classes on Tuesday and I am wrapping up my sixteenth year of dance. It has been a weird year for me. Let me tell you how many classes I had last year- I was taking three classes and assisting one, it equaled out to about ten (I think) hours a week and 4 days a week. I LOVED IT! BUT unfortunately, my body did not. I had someone tell me to "not let anything get in my way" around this time last year as encouragement because I was starting to think, "maybe I can't do two more weeks, maybe my body can't handle two more weeks". The thing was that I was getting in my own way, unintentionally. There wasn't really a way around my physical self being in a ton of pain. So during the last couple months I had to make a decision about the coming fall and if I was even going to be at the studio this year. Man, was it a hard decision. I decided to quit ballet 4 because it was the most difficult and time consuming class I had. That class was the core of my studio family, I didn't actually want to leave but I knew I had to.
This year I only took two classes at the studio and I didn't assist any classes (which was sad and I missed my student). It was very good for me, though. A lot less pain, got answers to the problem, and am in the process of trying a way to treat it. "You only danced for two hours a week?!" HAHA, oh no. I actually ended up dancing for six to seven hours a week to start the year and ended the year with dancing for eight to nine hours a week. Not counting shows. I blame it on the dancer in me ;) As for next year at my studio, well, God only knows what's in store for then. I still have two months and a month in Rome to figure it out.
This post was supposed to be more about Harlow but as you can see that didn't exactly happen. So I guess you'll be seeing another post soonish.
Friday, June 8, 2018
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Tpong Folr Me
I'm a very specific person when it comes to writing and typing, which is funny because I used to be horrible at spelling. Tonight I'm going to show you what it looks like for me to type on my laptop, without editing anything- it's gonna drive me INSANE.
Hello my named is Kelcied, this is me showing what's it's l.ike io tgepe wikth Cerebral Palsy. As you can see it's a littl.e hard but thack goodness there's a backpece buttom oon every divece.
Now, some of that^ was just my brain jumping the gun on words- which happens a lot for me. But you get my point, and like I said, "it's a little hard but thank goodness there's a backspace button on every device". Also, it is driving me insane. All the misspelled words are like, "Fix me! Fix me! Fix me!" and all of the red lines under them aren't helping my insanity. So there y'all go, Kelcie's unedited blurb. Short, sweet, and all natural. ;)
Hello my named is Kelcied, this is me showing what's it's l.ike io tgepe wikth Cerebral Palsy. As you can see it's a littl.e hard but thack goodness there's a backpece buttom oon every divece.
Now, some of that^ was just my brain jumping the gun on words- which happens a lot for me. But you get my point, and like I said, "it's a little hard but thank goodness there's a backspace button on every device". Also, it is driving me insane. All the misspelled words are like, "Fix me! Fix me! Fix me!" and all of the red lines under them aren't helping my insanity. So there y'all go, Kelcie's unedited blurb. Short, sweet, and all natural. ;)
Monday, April 9, 2018
A Question For You
Hello world! I'm going to work on writing more than I have been lately, but I'm curious if there's anything about disabilities that you, my followers and readers, would like to hear more about or if you guys have any questions? I can't promise that I'll know enough for a blog post but I will definitely do my best. You can comment those ideas on blogger or Facebook, or if we're Facebook friends you can message me. Looking forward to hearing what your thoughts are!
Sunday, March 11, 2018
DanceAbility Stories: Part 5
Hello friends! We are back this weekend after an unintentional break last week, of which I apologize for, Jana and I were in Lane Community College’s “Collaborations" last weekend. But we are so happy to have you all click the link and join us today! I got the pleasure of interviewing Bakul Willard, a member of the professional company. Read what he said below!
Q: How did you find DanceAbility?
A: My mom knew about DanceAbility for a long time. She waited until I was older to tell me about DanceAbility. Then I saw them dancing at the lane county fair. I talked to Jana after the performance. She already knew about me as a dancer because she had seen me at A3.
Q: When did you start dancing with DanceAbility?
A: They offered me a scholarship for the training that Alito offered [in August of 2016].
Q: What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from working with Alito and DanceAbility?
A: The biggest thing [I’ve learned] is that everybody can dance in their own unique way. And we can all dance together.
Q: How has DanceAbility changed your life either as a person or a dancer?
A: DanceAbility has changed my life as a dancer. I have become a better performer because of the focus on other dancers and communicating with the audience.
Q: When you did the training did anything stand out more than everything else?
A: When I did the training I was younger than everyone. I had been an assistant dance teacher. They were all experienced dance teachers but they fully accepted me as a member of the team.
In a side comment Bakul said, “I have enjoyed everyone I have met and worked with through DanceAbility.”.
Get involved with DanceAbility this year! First, we have a 5-day Intensive taught by Jana Meszaros, right here in Eugene, Oregon. This is a great chance for you to get a great idea of the DanceAbility Method, this training is open to high school students as well as adults! This Intensive is almost full, so sign up today! Second, want even more knowledge of this Method? We have a month long certification to become a certified teacher of the DanceAbility Method in Vienna, Austria! You can find more information about the upcoming trainings at the links below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QvCPu18JvIF5XATR_zENFXp109pKayxvnO2Z9LW2Ajg/viewform?edit_requested=true
https://www.impulstanz.com/en/danceability-teacher-certification/2018/
Q: How did you find DanceAbility?
A: My mom knew about DanceAbility for a long time. She waited until I was older to tell me about DanceAbility. Then I saw them dancing at the lane county fair. I talked to Jana after the performance. She already knew about me as a dancer because she had seen me at A3.
Q: When did you start dancing with DanceAbility?
A: They offered me a scholarship for the training that Alito offered [in August of 2016].
Q: What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from working with Alito and DanceAbility?
A: The biggest thing [I’ve learned] is that everybody can dance in their own unique way. And we can all dance together.
Q: How has DanceAbility changed your life either as a person or a dancer?
A: DanceAbility has changed my life as a dancer. I have become a better performer because of the focus on other dancers and communicating with the audience.
Q: When you did the training did anything stand out more than everything else?
A: When I did the training I was younger than everyone. I had been an assistant dance teacher. They were all experienced dance teachers but they fully accepted me as a member of the team.
In a side comment Bakul said, “I have enjoyed everyone I have met and worked with through DanceAbility.”.
Get involved with DanceAbility this year! First, we have a 5-day Intensive taught by Jana Meszaros, right here in Eugene, Oregon. This is a great chance for you to get a great idea of the DanceAbility Method, this training is open to high school students as well as adults! This Intensive is almost full, so sign up today! Second, want even more knowledge of this Method? We have a month long certification to become a certified teacher of the DanceAbility Method in Vienna, Austria! You can find more information about the upcoming trainings at the links below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QvCPu18JvIF5XATR_zENFXp109pKayxvnO2Z9LW2Ajg/viewform?edit_requested=true
https://www.impulstanz.com/en/danceability-teacher-certification/2018/
Friday, February 23, 2018
DanceAbility Stories: Part 4
Happy Friday everyone! We are so glad to have you with us for part four of DanceAbility Stories! Writing this week’s story is Veronica “RockStar” DeWitt!
Veronica+DanceAbility
Sensation. Relationship. Time. Design. Those words mean a lot more to me now than before I started practicing the DanceAbility method in 2015.
I have been a professional contemporary dancer since 2007, and have danced so many pieces by some incredible choreographers. I have flipped, dipped, launched, and landed across studios and stages around the world with other high-end dancers. Over time, I became a movement/dance technique teacher.
All that being said, I never thought I would be so blown away by the dancing I witness and experience in a DanceAbility class, workshop, training, and/or performance. I really had no idea how going to the DanceAbility Teacher Training with Jana Meszaros in Austin, Tx (2015) would make such a lasting impact on my life; I was just going to another dance training, right?
Wrong.
Since teacher training, I view dance AND people with a more open, generous perspective, especially in terms of accessibility, inclusivity, and how I relate (which really comes back to how I relate to and feel about myself).
In addition to my own personal growth, many awesome opportunities have popped up. Even though I moved to Austin, I still seasonally perform with Joint Forces Dance Company. I attended Master Training this year in Trier, Germany with Alito Alessi (which was challenging, humbling, and amazing). In Austin, I’m teaching DanceAbility classes in the AISD (public school district) and also for Body Shift (a community initiative). The last thing in the works that I’ll mention is I’m directing/performing a quintet for Austin Dance Festival 2018, featuring 3 other DanceAbility teachers who live in Austin and one dedicated student/community member; the cast is very diverse and I’m excited to show what we do in a professional theater setting.
I am glad I listened to Alito back there in the sauna at Breitenbush, and that he encouraged Jana and I to do the teacher training. That moment was definitely a Y in the road. Good choice making ladies!
I am grateful to be a part of the DanceAbility community and share this work with others long into the future. Liberate yourself, and you liberate others.
https://www.impulstanz.com/en/danceability-teacher-certification/2018/
Sensation. Relationship. Time. Design. Those words mean a lot more to me now than before I started practicing the DanceAbility method in 2015.
I have been a professional contemporary dancer since 2007, and have danced so many pieces by some incredible choreographers. I have flipped, dipped, launched, and landed across studios and stages around the world with other high-end dancers. Over time, I became a movement/dance technique teacher.
All that being said, I never thought I would be so blown away by the dancing I witness and experience in a DanceAbility class, workshop, training, and/or performance. I really had no idea how going to the DanceAbility Teacher Training with Jana Meszaros in Austin, Tx (2015) would make such a lasting impact on my life; I was just going to another dance training, right?
Wrong.
Since teacher training, I view dance AND people with a more open, generous perspective, especially in terms of accessibility, inclusivity, and how I relate (which really comes back to how I relate to and feel about myself).
In addition to my own personal growth, many awesome opportunities have popped up. Even though I moved to Austin, I still seasonally perform with Joint Forces Dance Company. I attended Master Training this year in Trier, Germany with Alito Alessi (which was challenging, humbling, and amazing). In Austin, I’m teaching DanceAbility classes in the AISD (public school district) and also for Body Shift (a community initiative). The last thing in the works that I’ll mention is I’m directing/performing a quintet for Austin Dance Festival 2018, featuring 3 other DanceAbility teachers who live in Austin and one dedicated student/community member; the cast is very diverse and I’m excited to show what we do in a professional theater setting.
I am glad I listened to Alito back there in the sauna at Breitenbush, and that he encouraged Jana and I to do the teacher training. That moment was definitely a Y in the road. Good choice making ladies!
I am grateful to be a part of the DanceAbility community and share this work with others long into the future. Liberate yourself, and you liberate others.
Get involved with DanceAbility this year! First, we have a 5-day Intensive taught by Jana Meszaros, right here in Eugene, Oregon. This is a great chance for you to get a great idea of the DanceAbility Method, this training is open to high school students as well as adults! Second, want even more knowledge of this Method? We have a month long certification to become a certified teacher of the DanceAbility Method in Vienna, Austria! You can find more information about the upcoming trainings at the links below.
Friday, February 16, 2018
DanceAbility Stories: Part 3
Hello everyone! We are so glad you decided to join us for part three of DanceAbility Stories- this week’s guest writer is Jim Ballard!
[When I first found DanceAbility] it was 2007 or 2008. I was just discovering the world of dance. I was at Lane Community College and went to one of their dance shows. I had no idea that DanceAbility was performing that night. Alito and Emery where performing the ‘’Tango’’. Now I had grown up in a medical family with my mom being a nurse. The way she taught me to treat people with disabilities was in good spirit but ultimately wrong. So when I saw Emery in his chair and Alito swinging him around I had a bit of worry and concern. Within just a few minutes of watching my whole perspective flipped. I was profoundly inspired.
I was always told that dancers don’t have a “long shelf life.” “A dancers career is over by the time they are thirty, if they are lucky.” “That you have to have a certain body type to be a dancer.” DanceAbility gave me hope. It showed me that I was wrong, that “they” were wrong. Limitations can be pushed onto us, can be something we are born into or something we blindly accept. From just working with DanceAbility I have found my voice. I have been able to create beyond my limitations and I have been able to give hope to fellow dancers that felt they are “too old” or that their
injury prevents them from continuing a career in dance.
When people ask me for a definition of DanceAbility, I generally refer them to the website but that if I had to sum it up in one sentence it would be “If you are alive you CAN dance.”.
Get involved with DanceAbility this year! First, we have a 5-day Intensive taught by Jana Meszaros, right here in Eugene, Oregon. This is a great chance for you to get a great idea of the DanceAbility Method, this training is open to high school students as well as adults! Second, want even more knowledge of this Method? We have a month long certification to become a certified teacher of the DanceAbility Method in Vienna, Austria! You can find more information about the upcoming trainings at the links below.
Friday, February 9, 2018
DanceAbility Stories: Part 2
Good evening everyone! Hope your week was good. We are back for part two of DanceAbility Stories! This week's story is written by Karen Daly, sharing how she has been impacted by DanceAbility.
My first encounter with DanceAbility was in the winter of 1994 when I was 43 years old (I’m much younger now that I’m a dancer ;) I’m a right leg amputee and was making my way on crutches at the time. The workshop was in the old Agate Hall in Eugene, filled to capacity with all sorts of people - a lively mix of bodies with and without disabilities, all ages, sizes and persuasions - coming together to get to know their unique bodies through movement in-and-out of contact with others. If I told you I wasn’t a tad nervous, self-conscious and self-doubting that day (who me, with one leg, a dancer?), I would be lying. However, soon after we began the warm-up, I settled into a gentle awareness of how lovely it felt to lie on the floor, roll around and feel my body moving through space. The structures (scores in dance-speak) Alito led us through brought out a playfulness in me that continues to deepen and spill over into my day to day activities.
That was the first of many workshops I’ve been a part of, in many different DanceAbility communities nationally and in other parts of the world. I’ve learned to love and find joy in my unique body. My relationships with others have been enhanced because I’m more present with my whole self. The part of me that wants to criticize and point out my imperfections is quieter, and is able to see how amazingly strong and beautiful my body is when I make time for dancing.
DanceAbility introduced me to a new way of living in and with my body. Today I can honestly say:
*I love my body moving*
Karen recently wrote and published a biography on her life- it can be purchased at the first link below. Get involved with DanceAbility this year! First, we have a 5-day Intensive taught by Jana Meszaros, right here in Eugene, Oregon. This is a great chance for you to get a great idea of the DanceAbility Method, this training is open to high school students as well as adults! Second, want even more knowledge of this Method? We have a month long certification to become a certified teacher of the DanceAbility Method in Vienna, Austria! You can find more information about the upcoming trainings at the links belows:
https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Ride-One-Legged-Journey-Acceptancce/dp/1977815448/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517895371&sr=8-1&keywords=joy+ride+karen+witt+daly
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QvCPu18JvIF5XATR_zENFXp109pKayxvnO2Z9LW2Ajg/viewform?edit_requested=true
https://www.impulstanz.com/en/danceability-teacher-certification/2018/
My first encounter with DanceAbility was in the winter of 1994 when I was 43 years old (I’m much younger now that I’m a dancer ;) I’m a right leg amputee and was making my way on crutches at the time. The workshop was in the old Agate Hall in Eugene, filled to capacity with all sorts of people - a lively mix of bodies with and without disabilities, all ages, sizes and persuasions - coming together to get to know their unique bodies through movement in-and-out of contact with others. If I told you I wasn’t a tad nervous, self-conscious and self-doubting that day (who me, with one leg, a dancer?), I would be lying. However, soon after we began the warm-up, I settled into a gentle awareness of how lovely it felt to lie on the floor, roll around and feel my body moving through space. The structures (scores in dance-speak) Alito led us through brought out a playfulness in me that continues to deepen and spill over into my day to day activities.
That was the first of many workshops I’ve been a part of, in many different DanceAbility communities nationally and in other parts of the world. I’ve learned to love and find joy in my unique body. My relationships with others have been enhanced because I’m more present with my whole self. The part of me that wants to criticize and point out my imperfections is quieter, and is able to see how amazingly strong and beautiful my body is when I make time for dancing.
DanceAbility introduced me to a new way of living in and with my body. Today I can honestly say:
*I love my body moving*
Karen recently wrote and published a biography on her life- it can be purchased at the first link below. Get involved with DanceAbility this year! First, we have a 5-day Intensive taught by Jana Meszaros, right here in Eugene, Oregon. This is a great chance for you to get a great idea of the DanceAbility Method, this training is open to high school students as well as adults! Second, want even more knowledge of this Method? We have a month long certification to become a certified teacher of the DanceAbility Method in Vienna, Austria! You can find more information about the upcoming trainings at the links belows:
https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Ride-One-Legged-Journey-Acceptancce/dp/1977815448/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517895371&sr=8-1&keywords=joy+ride+karen+witt+daly
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QvCPu18JvIF5XATR_zENFXp109pKayxvnO2Z9LW2Ajg/viewform?edit_requested=true
https://www.impulstanz.com/en/danceability-teacher-certification/2018/
Friday, February 2, 2018
DanceAbility Stories: Part 1
I’ve mentioned that I am a professional dancer for DanceAbility International a couple times on this blog, today I’m going to share with you the impact that DanceAbility has had on my life.
I started dancing at Hosanna Dance Studio in Eugene when I was three years old. I was the only person at the studio with a physical disability but it didn’t really bother me when I got older. Three years later I attended a DanceAbility workshop taught by the founder, Alito Alessi in Portland, I was only six but it was definitely interesting to me. My parents took me to a performance at Lane Community College that was a collaboration between LCC Dance Faculty and DanceAbility within a year of the workshop. I was amazed. Seriously, it was the coolest thing I had ever seen! Granted, I was only six years old at the time but even now that show is still one of my favorites. I went to every DanceAbility show that was open to the public for twelve years.
At one point in those twelve years, Alito came and performed at Hosanna when one of the teachers threw a Disability Day for the studio. It was a dream come true for me, like I dreamt of being in the company I was such a fan of theirs. In 2014 DanceAbility started offering weekly classes for the Lane County area and I was so excited to take it! About two months later Alito subbed for our teacher and was impressed by my movement. He wanted to choreograph a dance for me and have me perform in local schools and around town, obviously I agreed to it. The first rehearsal we had I met dance partner, Jana Meszaros and it the start of a really special partnership, although we didn’t know that until we started choreographing dances left and right. That doesn’t have often between dance partner. After a couple months of performing my childhood dream came true, I was invited to join the professional company. I attended the Teacher Orientation in June of 2016, and I’m currently preparing to travel overseas to Rome, Italy this September to get my Teacher Certification. In the last almost three years, I’ve performed at the Green Show (the preshow at Oregon Shakespeare Festival), the Oregon Country Fair, The Oregon Arts Commission, Disability Services Advisory Council of Eugene, and so many other amazing places.
I actually didn’t realize how much DanceAbility has had an impact on my life until late last year. A couple months ago I was doing an interview with a journalist major from the University of Oregon, who’s also a friend of mine, and it wasn’t until he asked the question "how has DanceAbility helped you grow as either a dancer or a person?". I realized that it wasn’t until I started working with DA that I started to find self-acceptance. Being the only disabled dancer at both of my studios, I was conscious about how I moved and to be honest I still am sometimes. DanceAbility does not make you feel different if you have a movement disorder. We turn it into a common ground and we make it art. We see the abilities of disabilities and for me, I had always believed that too, but I still compared myself to my friends and the older dancers...as does every other dancer. DanceAbility has helped me not be so conscious about my disability.
In the next month or two, I will be having guest writers take over Life With CP for my first series of posts called, My DanceAbility Journey. They will be sharing their stories of how DanceAbility has impacted their lives. Guys, I am so excited for this! By sharing our stories with all of you, we will also be promoting our upcoming Teacher Intensive that will be taught by Jana Meszaros right here in Eugene! Go check it out: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QvCPu18JvIF5XATR_zENFXp109pKayxvnO2Z9LW2Ajg/viewform?edit_requested=true
I started dancing at Hosanna Dance Studio in Eugene when I was three years old. I was the only person at the studio with a physical disability but it didn’t really bother me when I got older. Three years later I attended a DanceAbility workshop taught by the founder, Alito Alessi in Portland, I was only six but it was definitely interesting to me. My parents took me to a performance at Lane Community College that was a collaboration between LCC Dance Faculty and DanceAbility within a year of the workshop. I was amazed. Seriously, it was the coolest thing I had ever seen! Granted, I was only six years old at the time but even now that show is still one of my favorites. I went to every DanceAbility show that was open to the public for twelve years.
At one point in those twelve years, Alito came and performed at Hosanna when one of the teachers threw a Disability Day for the studio. It was a dream come true for me, like I dreamt of being in the company I was such a fan of theirs. In 2014 DanceAbility started offering weekly classes for the Lane County area and I was so excited to take it! About two months later Alito subbed for our teacher and was impressed by my movement. He wanted to choreograph a dance for me and have me perform in local schools and around town, obviously I agreed to it. The first rehearsal we had I met dance partner, Jana Meszaros and it the start of a really special partnership, although we didn’t know that until we started choreographing dances left and right. That doesn’t have often between dance partner. After a couple months of performing my childhood dream came true, I was invited to join the professional company. I attended the Teacher Orientation in June of 2016, and I’m currently preparing to travel overseas to Rome, Italy this September to get my Teacher Certification. In the last almost three years, I’ve performed at the Green Show (the preshow at Oregon Shakespeare Festival), the Oregon Country Fair, The Oregon Arts Commission, Disability Services Advisory Council of Eugene, and so many other amazing places.
I actually didn’t realize how much DanceAbility has had an impact on my life until late last year. A couple months ago I was doing an interview with a journalist major from the University of Oregon, who’s also a friend of mine, and it wasn’t until he asked the question "how has DanceAbility helped you grow as either a dancer or a person?". I realized that it wasn’t until I started working with DA that I started to find self-acceptance. Being the only disabled dancer at both of my studios, I was conscious about how I moved and to be honest I still am sometimes. DanceAbility does not make you feel different if you have a movement disorder. We turn it into a common ground and we make it art. We see the abilities of disabilities and for me, I had always believed that too, but I still compared myself to my friends and the older dancers...as does every other dancer. DanceAbility has helped me not be so conscious about my disability.
In the next month or two, I will be having guest writers take over Life With CP for my first series of posts called, My DanceAbility Journey. They will be sharing their stories of how DanceAbility has impacted their lives. Guys, I am so excited for this! By sharing our stories with all of you, we will also be promoting our upcoming Teacher Intensive that will be taught by Jana Meszaros right here in Eugene! Go check it out: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QvCPu18JvIF5XATR_zENFXp109pKayxvnO2Z9LW2Ajg/viewform?edit_requested=true
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