There's only two types of people in the world
The ones that entertain, and the ones that observe
— Britney Spears, Circus
If I ever write a memoir, this lyric from the Britney Spears song Circus will be inserted somewhere on the front page.
I was born a natural performer — I am a Leo, after all — and being on stage has always felt like home.
So I was both excited and nervous to be part of my first stage performance in three years this past weekend with Studio House Barrie's Body Language show, after a lengthy pandemic hiatus.
Growing up, I dabbled in drama, dance and even the odd music class, but dance was always my No. 1 passion.
I attended an arts high school for a dance program where I was able to earn credits by doing what I loved most, performing in regular shows, attending numerous workshops, and learning about the theory and history behind dance arts.
But then high school ended. I went off to university, "grew up" and forgot all about dance.
It's not that I forgot about it, per se, it's just that there weren't many platforms for adults to pursue dancing as a hobby. Most dance studios only offer lessons for children and youth, with limited adult classes in either Zumba or beginner-level ballet.
If you live in and around Toronto, there are more studios that cater to adult dancers, but not so much out this way.
That's when I discovered Studio House Barrie four years ago, when it was under the name Safe Haven Studios. I had just given birth to my second son and was looking for an activity to get back into shape when I stumbled upon this hidden gem on social media. A studio dedicated to adult dancers — new and experienced — looking for somewhere to let loose and have fun, all while building confidence and skill.
From ballet and contemporary to high-heels performance, there are a variety of classes to choose from, from beginner level up to advanced.
After so many years of living in the region, I finally found an outlet for my dance passion. I danced at the Barrie studio on and off since 2018. When the pandemic hit, I stopped dancing altogether, as did the rest of the world. It was a dark time for many, especially those in the performing arts.
Over the pandemic, studio owner Wendy Graham struggled to keep the space open, adapting to various restrictions with multiple lockdowns. But she persevered. And I am forever grateful for all the work she and her team have done in order to keep afloat.
I made my way back to the studio this past spring, finally feeling ready to dance in public spaces again, I signed up for the studio's advanced beginner heels performance class. After being off heels for three years, I was very rusty, but worked hard over the summer to get my confidence back up.
Over the past 14 weeks, our class of 10 worked hard for two hours each week, learning and rehearsing four different dance routines. I am proud of what we were able to accomplish together, and getting to see it all come together in performance over the weekend.
Life can be stressful and it seems once you have children, you get so wrapped up in their activities and schedules, that you forget to carve out time for your own. This studio has been a blessing for me, giving me a sweet escape to get away and immerse myself back into the world of dance. It's a space where I can turn off my phone, ignore the world around me, and get out of my head and into my body.
The best part of the studio is there is no judgment. We are all adults just looking to have some fun, while not having to worry about looking silly or being perfect. Our skill levels vary from beginner to advanced, and we encourage each other as we learn and grow. We are each other's cheerleaders, in life and in dance. It is a beautiful thing to see women lifting one another up, instead of tearing each other down.
In a world where we are constantly comparing ourselves to the falsities of social media, this place is a breath of fresh air, and the classes have really helped boost my confidence in my personal and professional life.
Coming off stage Saturday, I felt that incredible rush of adrenaline that I have missed for so long.
Before the pandemic, I took these moments of joy for granted. If it has taught us anything, it's that life is short and to embrace every opportunity to be happy and live our lives to the fullest.
I signed up for the studio's fall session, with our next performance in December, called Once Upon a Time. So stay tuned! Or better yet, sign up and join us.
As the young people say, YOLO! Or, you only live once. So take that dance class, go on that trip, buy the shoes, order the dessert, and enjoy.
Natasha Philpott is the editor at BradfordToday and InnisfilToday.
