Sunday June 15th 2008 Post TransforMotion

Today marks the first day of my adrenaline hang-over.  I am sure I am not alone.  This must be what it feels like the day after you win American Idol and you know your life is forever changed.  So significant, so perfect, so unbelievably amazing was our Alliance debut this weekend, Dance 101 crossed the line:  1500 people witnessed what couldn't be done and what shouldn't be possible.  To say that I am proud is an understatement.  If I can talk about me for a minute, I feel enormously empowered by vindication.  I KNEW this was possible.  I KNOW what  amazing dancers we have, I UNDERSTAND how dance can transform us and in the process touch a thousand others.  It's a lonely road to tow when you know something others don't, or doubt...  and it can be exhausting to constantly be trying to convince others to see what you see.  After this weekend, I am sure I won't have to talk so loudly any more.  I am vindicated.

127 dance 101 students and faculty wowed a sell out audience and you should have heard the comments afterwards.  No one could believe our dancers were not professionals, comparing the quality of the show on par with any professional dance performance they'd ever seen.  Half a dozen people - at least - including the press, asked if we intend to tour!  Still others wondered why the show wasn't running longer as they wanted to see it again.  How is this possible? they asked.  How could these dancers be so good and not be doing this for a living?  They loved the variety of the pieces; were moved by music they had never heard before and who, they wanted to know, put together the stunning visual backdrops? Who designed the costumes? Was this our first show?  When is the next one? I am gloating, gloating, gloating.  Indulge me.  To all the nay sayers, to those who thought it was crazy to gamble on such a large production at such an expensive venue, to every petty critic, to everyone who said we weren't ready... well, look at us now.  Feel free to jump in at anytime and gloat with me.  Dance 101 belongs to all of us. Together we make it what it is.  Without us, Dance 101 is four walls and a ceiling - and nothing more. We all should be proud of what we have accomplished and thankful that God steered us - each in our individual way - to this magical place - literally, figuratively and spiritually - where our lives have been enriched a thousand fold as a result of the people we've met, the sense of belonging we share and the journey of transformation we've embraced. 

Now begins the process of cataloging this milestone.  Pictures will be posted on this website, photos will appear in local magazines, articles will be written, word of mouth will spread through the community.  The buzz will continue for some time - mark my words - each and every dancer in the show will be proud to claim it and Dance 101 will be the recipient of a lot of curiosity and interest.  Oprah will be calling soon.  And don't think for a minute that I am going on this journey without you.  

To Tim, Bubba, Michael, Paulina, Maggi and Sara; to Terry, Elaina, Casey, Christine, Jess, Kevin, Tay, Lindsay, Cortney, Peter, Monica and Paul; to every TransforMotion dancer (too many to list!); to Marni Salup, the newest member of our team; to my husband, Rick for our sponsors;  to Michele Pizer, Susan Stanton and Susan Haskell for box office; to Lee Blalock for her videography and the TransforMotion images and a beautiful performance; to Helen Noviello; to Rick Carvlin at the Alliance...  in appreciation of what was collectively created by all mentioned here, I stand in awe of all of you - of your selflessness, of your spirit, of your love, of your vision and of your faith that the improbable is possible: that the world is made better by dance and our ability to share it with others.  

It's a new day. --Ofelia