Dance Like Nobody Watches

Aimee Moore | 23 | Ballet Instructor | Ninette De Valois

[sweetaimeemoore]

dancingdesmond:

“A lot of people say that they don’t like to watch themselves on video because they critique themselves too much. I kind of like going back and watching. It helps me figure out what i need to work on. Yeah, it’s always been fun for me. I think that’s part of why it’s never been something I could let go of even though I’m not making a career out of it. Wow. If Lassie couldn’t talk then it kind of makes you wonder why the kid was always telling them to speak up.”

“I think it’s hard not to critique yourself. I mean, there’s always room for improvement and sometimes you can’t help but want to focus on the bad parts to figure out how to make it better next time. Besides, I think it’s lovelier to watch others perform and see their interpretation of certain characters and music. That is good to hear that you have fun with it. You work with animals right? I think dancing never leaves you, no matter what you do. Hmm, maybe he was then. I never really got that show but like I said, I didn’t really watch it much.”

[sweetaimeemoore]

craigxgriffin:

     “Aimee, come on - it’s a genuine offer, and I don’t make genuine offers without meaning them. You don’t have to give me the standard polite response. I’m a good teacher and I love teaching people to play, but if you want to say no then say it, and if you want to say yes then say it. I’m a big boy. I can handle rejection, I promise.”

“Well, if you truly say it’s not a bother then I think I would like to take you up on your offer. Maybe it’ll turn out nice and I can start using the piano in the studio to teach the kids... it would help them stay on point better I believe. Alright, I’ll say yes. I’d would very much precipitate it.”

[prima-ballet]

gif credit: balletomaneassoluta

[sweetaimeemoore]

Though she did not have any classes on this particular day, Aimee still found herself at the Bear Valley Community Center working on a few routines. It was later in the evening and the building was mostly empty so Aimee decided to leave the door to the dance studio open and wasn’t as cautious about her music being too loud. Not that she would ever have it deafeningly loud but she got to turn it up a little more than usual and let herself get swallowed up in the playful chords of  Frédéric Chopin’s Spring Waltz as it echoed off the walls. Her concentration was completely focused on her reflection displayed before her on the one mirrored wall, watching every inch of her body— from the very tips of her fingers to the extension of her foot with each chaînés turn she made across the center of the room.  Her eyes stayed fixed on her form, making sure every step and position was perfected.

When she was dancing like this, alone and completely relaxed, she was in her own world and nothing else existed. There was no one else there and she could completely let her guard down and be herself. Though she had gotten better about opening up to people since she was younger, Aimee still never felt one hundred percent comfortable to let go unless she was lost in dance. It was even better when she knew there weren’t a million eyes on her watching and judging. However, being so caught up in the routine, calculating in her mind her next move and how she could improve her steps, Aimee had not noticed the other body that had entered the room and stuck close to the door frame.

It wasn’t until she found herself not completely satisfied with a certain turn and stopped to do it over again that she noticed she wasn’t alone as she turned back to do it over again. Her eyes had glanced over for just a moment as she was getting into position and spotted the other individual, her mind instantly being pulled from the running thoughts in her head as her focus now turned on them and the realization that they had been watching her, or at least had seen some small portion of her dancing. Her cheeks, already flushed from the exertion, reddened deeper and she quickly pushed a few stray curls that had fallen into her face behind her ear. She was sure she looked a bit of a mess, hair thrown haphazardly into a bun and breath slightly erratic.

“Oh, hi...” She chirped in obvious surprise. She turned and quickly moved over to where the radio sat, pressing pause on the track before she returned her attention to them. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you standing there.” She added, clearing her throat to try and push away any growing nerves. “Is there something you need help with?”

[craigxgriffin-deactivated201511]

     “Then you’re a very patient and understanding person, because I have had people tell me to write songs that are easier for them to understand! And you absolutely should get back on the piano stool. I’ll even give you lessons if you like - first one’s free, to see if you still enjoy it.”

[sweetaimeemoore]

“I would like to think so but it makes me a little sad to hear that others aren’t as much. I mean, I support creative outlets of all kind. I think it’s better to support people with out they like to express themselves artistically rather than hold them back. Even if it means they can’t quite understand it. Maybe I should then. I think my mother would definitely love that. Really? Oh, well that if a very kind offer but I’m sure you’re already busy and I’d hate to impose on your time.”

[dancingdesmond-blog]

“Wait, why’s it embarrassing? Maybe I’ll show you a few of my dance routines from when I was thirteen. Talk about embarrassing. Doesn’t speak?”

[sweetaimeemoore]

“I don’t know.. I guess it’s different when someone is watching you on stage and when someone is watching a recording of you. I can actually think about it instead of being more focused on my routines and marks. I would love to see some of your routines. I bet you had a lot of fun with them when you were younger. Not that I remember? Though honestly I can’t say I watched a lot of Lassie to begin with.”

[dancingdesmond-blog]

“Do you still have those recorded? I’d love to see one of them. I’ve recorded some of my impressions. They’re not very good. Maybe that’s why I think I sound like a twelve year old puppy child. I was trying to do Lassie.”

[sweetaimeemoore]

“Really? Well I mean have a couple, but most of them are from when I was a bit younger. Though I think my mom has one of me when I did the Giselle last year... but it’s a little embarrassing. You do impressions as well? Well there’s your problem, Lassie doesn’t speak, she just barked.”

[craigxgriffin-deactivated201511]

     “I’ve been told I’m one of those annoying songwriters who takes everyday events and turns them into really obscure, pretentious songs. So to answer the question, I write about things that happen to me but I make them sound far more interesting. And I bet you’d be surprised at how much you remember of piano - muscle memory plays a part. You should give it a try again!”

[sweetaimeemoore]

“Annoying? I don’t see why there is anything wrong with that. I think it’s actually quite remarkable that you can take something others find mundane and find enough beauty in it to make a song of it. I don’t know, I heard it’s a bit harder to get back up on. Not like riding a bike where you can just get on and go. I guess I can always try though. I have a piano at home I just never play it. Maybe I’ll give it a go though and see what I can remember.”

[sweetaimeemoore]

craigxgriffin:

     “I try to write songs when I can, but those days grading papers and compositions can really drain your creativity, you know? I play guitar, piano, I’m pretty good on drums and a little bit of trumpet if I need to.”

“Well, I’ve never had as busy a schedule as an actual teacher but I can imagine. What do you usually write about, if you don’t mind me asking? Oh wow, you could start a one man band if you wanted. I can play a little piano but I’m pretty rusty at it. I’d probably fail if I were to be graded on it. It’s a little embarrassing.”

[sweetaimeemoore]

ohohjeanne:

“God, what’s that even like? I think about wanting my brother to get abducted. I’m convinced that he was abandoned by his mother ship. I guess it’s just because you’re brother writes scary shit but other than he’s pretty normal, right? I probably wouldn’t get the urge to hit him either if that’s the case.”

“It was fine. There was a little while after he found out he was adopted that we didn’t talk. He was kind of angry at me about it.... but we made up and have been good ever since. We’re not super close, we don’t like a lot of the same things, but he’s always there for me when I need him. I mean yeah he writes scary stuff and it scares me, but at the end of the day, when I’m scared he’s there to comfort me and tell me things will be alright. He’s a lot like my mother that way. “

[sweetaimeemoore]

dancingdesmond:

“Have you ever recorded your voice? I always wonder if I sound the same. I hope not. I sound like a twelve year old puppy child.”

“No, I’ve never recorded my voice. I’ve recorded my performances but many of them don’t have me speaking. I think I’d be too embarrassed to record myself and listen. I don’t think you’d sound like a twelve year old puppy child....whatever that is.”

[sweetaimeemoore]

craigxgriffin:

     “Not a bit of math in music. Or nothing that I hate doing, in any case. And a studio’s a pretty big aim - I wish you lots of luck in getting there. And I just dream about writing that perfect song, founding the perfect band, mastering a new instrument. Modest dreams, I think.”

“Well, lucky you then. Thank you very much. It is a big aim but it can’t hurt to dream big right? Those are good dreams as well. Do you write a lot of your own music? What instruments do you already play?”

[bowsandbracelets]

Classical ballet will never die.

Ninette de Valois

[hayleymarland-deactivated202104]

“You could really use the Irish thing to your advantage, you know. Especially since, like you pointed out, you can tell what you’re saying. Which is always a plus.”

“I think it’s good that quiet people exist. It’d suck if everyone was loud. I wouldn’t be able to get a word in.”

[sweetaimeemoore]

“Really? How so?”

“It does seem like a good balance, doesn’t it? Everyone would have much worse hearing if that was the case.”

[craigxgriffin-deactivated201511]

     “Just in case? Somehow I don’t think my life will ever depend on math. And I agree, people have stopped dreaming. Me included, I suppose - I’m way more of a realist than anything else these days. I only dream about music. How about you?”

[sweetaimeemoore]

“You don’t need to know any math in Music? I guess just counting right? Only about music? Really? Well, what are those dreams like normally? I used to dream about being apart of a big production that’s performed for thousands of people. That was when I was a bit younger though. Now, I guess it would be to have my own studio.”

[dialmfor-maverick-blog]

“I’m sure it’s quite upsetting. I’d personally find it fascinating. Although, I don’t believe it would be any different for me. People don’t understand me. I think it’s because everyone else is so unintelligent. It must be difficult for them.“

[sweetaimeemoore]

“It is pretty fascinating. Unintelligent...? Oh uh, perhaps.”

[dancingdesmond-blog]

“Well, yours is nice. Thank you.”

[sweetaimeemoore]

“Thank you. I’m glad you think so.”