(Clearly I don’t know what a hiatus is.)

It’s that time of year again, where people name out all kind of things they want to accomplish in the calendar year. Historically I’ve ignored the ‘resolution’ thing, being a bit cynical about people claiming to be instigating drastic changes in their lives without thinking through the actual execution. But this time around the sun, I’ve decided it’ll be useful to lay out a list of things I want to do. Accountability and all that–also it’ll be interesting to look back in a year and see what I was thinking.

1. I want to choreograph and premier at least 4 pieces.

a) Two ballroom pieces for university, at least one of which is going break my ‘group piece’ mold and be a more theatrical 3-person Tango.
b) One non-ballroom piece that I actually get to perform. It’s been too long since I’ve made something in Holly-style contemporary ballet, and I have a plethora of ideas bouncing around my head. (I blame this current itch on a recent workshop I took from one Mr. Benny Simon!)
c) Co-create a new West Coast Swing routine with Mr. Steve Ryan. Our current routine has been moderately successful, but I’m bloody sick of the music and have an itch to make something new with him. Maybe in time for Liberty Swing in June?

2.  Attend three ballet classes a week.

I have a complicated relationship with ballet. I love watching, dancing, and taking classes in it, but the more I do it, the more I want to do it. I’m at a point in my life where I feel like I have to prioritize what types of dancing I do toward what will bring me the most success, and hiding away in a studio for hours and hours is riskier than ballroom. By the same token, I would not be able to do all the turns and lifts I do in ballroom and West Coast without it, so this is both a compromise and a promise not to forget my roots.

3. Compete no more than once per month.

Competitions, both West Coast Swing and ballroom, are not my favorite things, but they are necessary to learn the ‘scene’ and build renown. Traveling is a love/hate thing for me, so this is sort of necessary for sanity.

STRETCH GOAL: Initiate and help organize a Ballroom/Swing/Salsa showcase in my city!

This is a big one, but I recognize that it’s a large leap. I really think there is an artistic niche to be filled by more theatrical/perform-ative ballroom and swing–outside of the competition scene. I feel like I have enough connections in my area at this point to try and make something cool happen. We shall see if I am right, crazy, or both….

So that’s that! What are your goals for this year and beyond?