Hey everyone.  It's been a while since we've written in the journal, so I thought I'd take a moment to drop a  few words on ya. 

It seems like Spring flew right past us this year, even though with the cool weather outside today you'd never know it.  We've had sunny days, torrential downpours, and days when the wind made me think we weren't in Kansas anymore. Memorial Day is around the corner, and Summer will have officially started for most of us.   We all need to take advantage of Mother Nature's beauty and spend some quality time outdoors.  Pool parties, cookouts, outdoor concerts, and festivals in the park will be in full swing for the next few months. 

As for myself, I am doing a couple of sprint triathlons, a bike race, and a charity run or two.  Crazy, huh?  I started with the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure two weekends ago, which was an amazing experience.  Between being at the studio, teaching classes, rehearsing for shows or choreographing other projects, who would think I'd have the time to do anything else?  The point is that I MAKE the time.  I don't participate in the races for the glory, though if I were to ever actually win one you know I would want the cover of Sports Illustrated to be emblazoned with my photo and gold medal.  I do them for the feeling of accomplishment.  There is no rush like the one you get when you've challenged yourself and succeeded.  So whether it's a 5K run or trying a new style of dance, I challenge each of you to set a goal for the summer.  Exercise your body and your mind; they both will thank you for it later.  -Tim

"I had the honor of picking him up and bringing him to the studio and you would have thought I was in the presence of royalty. Here I was, driving through the city, having a conversation with someone whom I have seen perform over a dozen times, chatting about Atlanta traffic because I was too star-struck to be able to think clearly." - Director's Journal, February 28, 2008

This is from the Journal entry I wrote last year after Matthew Rushing first taught at Dance 101.  I didn't get to take his class last year because I had to teach.  So when I found out he would be teaching for us once again, the first thing I did was get a sub for my class.  Don't get me wrong, you guys know I love teaching my classes.  But I couldn't miss this opportunity two years in a row.  I'm sending a big shout out to Jeremy for subbing my Discover Jazz class last night!!!

 To say that I and everyone else who attended enjoyed the class would be a gross understatement.  Everyone there was eager to see what this incredible technician would bring out of them as a dancer.  As an instructor, I am always telling students to step forward; I don't need to occupy two whole panels of the marley by myself.  Last night I saw students who usually hang in the back of the class step right up to the front and embrace every bit of dance knowledge that Matthew imparted.   The class could have ended after the warm-up and I would have been completely satisfied.  He had us all feeling so grounded that lightning could have struck the room and none of us would have noticed.  His 'across the floor' began with a walk and balance that was nothing short of regal, and was followed by a turn sequence that challenged everyone in the class no matter what their level.  The combination he taught us had all the elements of Ailey training; fluid movements into sharp turns, graceful moments with a sensual flow, and directional patterns that allowed us to cover the entire floor.  IT WAS AWESOME!!!  Equally as amazing was the energy in studio 2.  Students, instructors, and newcomers to Dance 101 all cheered each other on as they took Matthew's words of advice and 'just danced'.  May I say it one more time?  IT WAS AWESOME!!! 

We would like to send our sincerest thanks to Matthew for taking time out of his busy schedule to spend a couple of hours with us.  We have been truly blessed and inspired by his presence.  It makes us all want to be better dancers.  And thank you to everyone who came out to take the class.  It is always a pleasure to see you guys embrace our guest instructors as one of our own.  We look forward to bringing more master classes to Dance 101.  I don't know about you, but I'm already looking forward to next February so we can invite Matthew back.  Anyone know where the fast forward button is?  -Tim

I have to say this photo reminds me of the "Where's Waldo" books I used to enjoy with my kids.  I remember gathering everyone for this photo (taken after class) and squinting into the viewfinder - for the life of me I couldn't see Cris.  I had to put the camera down to find him?  See if you do any better.... where's Cris Judd?

Lately I have had the enormous priviledge of spending time around an extraordinary entrepeneurial mind, a man who has bought and sold more businesses than I've held jobs.  I think I caught him off guard as he let me rummage through his mind with little to no restrictions; his observations about Dance 101 intrigued me.  He got my attention.

guess New Beginnings is redundant, but it does emphasize change in a most positive light.  2008 was, personally, the worst year of my life.  But I am not alone - it also happened to be a tough year for many of us and in some wierd sadistic way, I take comfort in that.  There is something to be said about not being singled out by the heavens for a lousy experience.  Life is always better (no exceptions) when in the company of others - whether it is to celebrate a triumph or survive a hardship.  How lucky for me that I have Dance 101 to go to everyday - no matter what is happening outside our front door - inside it's a warm, loving, beautiful and happy place.