BLOG.THEDANCEPOINTE.NET

An Amazing Year in Review

2010-06-12T00:21:00Z

Wow! An entire year has passed since I first decided to open The Dance Pointe. It was just one year ago that I was recognized by the State of Texas as a legitimate business owner. I signed a lease, set up a website, and started researching the best flooring, mirrors, and barres. And it was just one year ago that I procured the most incredibly talented instructor/creative director that has since turned out to be one of my closest friends. Just one year ago a dream became reality!

I remember when I received the first student registration form in the mail. I called my husband and then Anna (the incredible instructor/creative director/friend that I spoke of earlier) and said with complete enthusiasm, "we now have 3 students!!!" (that would be my daughter, Anna's daughter, and this one other student). Hallelujah, we were in business now!

Who knew that those 3 students would soon turn into 75 students? 75 beautiful, kind, generous, hard working students that I fell in love with. I also fell in love with their families. I received so much support and guidance from own family as well as the dancers' families. They gave me the feedback, suggestions, and words of encouragement that I needed to make The Dance Pointe a place where dancers of all ages and skill levels could come and feel safe and confident.

Over the last year, I have watched young dancers grow in skill and confidence and I have been inspired as older dancers rekindled a passion that they thought no longer existed. I have seen dancers take on and conquer stage fright. I have seen dancers take personal heartache & disappointment and turn it into a thing of beauty as they danced with all their heart.

At the dawn of a new year for The Dance Pointe, I find myself with 3 new instructors that will round out our faculty beautifully. I find myself with new opportunities to offer our dancers...a real live Rockette teaching authentic Rockette technique and choreography and an actual professional Russian ballet dancer bringing his experience to little ol' Dripping Springs. I honestly did not think that the past year could be topped, but good things keep coming our way. I can't wait to see what the future holds.

One thing is for sure: with God, family, friends, and lovely little dancers....anything is possible!

Happy New Year,

Cammie

High Kicks, Splits, & Lasting Memories

2010-02-18T19:56:00Z

    I can still remember it like it was yesterday....the nerves, the excitement, the new friends, the incredible routines, and the pink eye. Oh yes, my first encounter with the lovely virus just happened to introduce itself during drill team try out week. As if being an awkward freshman in high school and trying out for a coveted spot on the High Hats wasn't enough, I had a film over my eyes from the medicine that kept me from seeing the officers as they taught the routines. On top of that, I couldn't wear any eye makeup and as we ladies of the 80's know.....mascara can make or break you. At least I could still sport my big bangs - there's always a silver lining.
    So, as the story goes my filmy, makeup-less eyes and I made it through try out week and made it onto the team. It may not have been the start that I had dreamed of all those years that my mom took me to see the High Hats perform during half-time, but it was a start none the less. In fact, my drill team career only got better from there. There were high school football games, Spring Shows, Kick-Off Nights, camps, and competitions. We won two state titles while I was on the team and I became a Lieutenant my second year and the Captain my senior year.  I learned how to be a leader, how to be disciplined and work hard, and I learned how to be a good friend. Being a High Hat was an honor and a privilege and my fellow teammates, which were also my best friends, knew and understood that. I can honestly say that I loved every minute of being a member of my high school drill team.
    I write this because next week many girls will go through the exciting and even grueling Hi-Stepper try-out week in the hopes of finding their name on the list of new members. I have met and even had the pleasure of teaching several of these girls. They each have wonderful qualities and talents. They are hard workers, they have positive attitudes and they each have a desire to be a contributing member of a team. I have watched as their kicks have become higher, their turns have become more solid, their leaps more effortless, and their splits closer to the ground. In my opinion, they are all worthy and deserving of a spot on the team.  The list of new members would be quite long if I were a judge.....I'd be completely objective, of course.
    Since I can't be there during their audition to coach them or cheer them on, I will just have to offer my support and my prayers from afar. However, if I were given the opportunity to speak with these girls right before they face the judges, here's what I would say: "I believe in you! You are an amazing dancer and an amazing young lady. Give it your best effort and leave it all on the stage/gym floor! And if all else fails......point your toes and SMILE!"

Break a leg,

Capt. Cammie

Dancing Into the New Year

2009-12-31T14:56:00Z

Everywhere I look...magazine & newspaper articles, newsletters, commercials, etc...I am reminded to take a moment and reflect upon the past year and then promptly decide how I will make the upcoming year even better. Even though this past year held quite a few highs and lows for my family, with the highs being really high and the lows being really low, I can say with confidence, joy, and relief that the highs definitely won out over the lows. I ended 2009 with my incredible family feeling happy & healthy, new friendships that I'm sure will last a lifetime, and a dream of owning a dance studio that came true.

Onto the big question that lies before me, "How can I make 2010 even better?" I obviously need to lose that same 10lbs that I lost last year and then found again somewhere between Halloween and Christmas. Personal health is always important for all of the reasons that Dr. Oz, Jillian & Bob, and every other health & fitness guru continuously remind us about. I can certainly do a better job of managing my time, cleaning my house, saving my money, and protecting the environment. These are all fantastic goals that I'm sure I will attempt to accomplish throughout the upcoming months, reaffirm about 6 months from now, and then establish once again this time next year. If you are sensing pessimism from me, please don't. I am an extremely goal-driven individual, but I'm not sure that setting and even accomplishing those goals will truly make 2010 a better year.

So what is the answer? Here's my stab at it. I want to open my eyes wider, move a little slower, and take it all in. While these goals may not be measureable they are certainly attainable. I want to really see my family, my friends, and my dancers for who they are and appreciate all of their qualities. I want to take the time to enjoy the little things - the unsolicited hugs that I receive from children (both at home and at the studio), the tasks that my husband completes for me and the words of encouragent he shares with me, the smiles and "aha" moments that my dance students have each and every week, the night time snuggles with my children as my husband and I read to them, meaningful conversation with friends, walks in the neighborhood with my two dogs...........

There are so many people and moments in my life to enjoy. Birthdays, holidays, dance classes and recitals should all prove to be even more enjoyable and more amazing as I take the time to appreciate all of the little moments leading up to those big events. Because in the end, it's the little moments that truly mean the most.

Happy New Year!

Cammie

Dance for Joy - Studio Spotlight

2009-12-09T06:23:00Z

Only one more week of regular classes remain and then we will hold our first Studio Spotlight. What exactly is a Studio Spotlight? Well, it's an opportunity for parents to see if in fact their child has been learning anything valuable. It's an opportunity for the dancers to show off the skills they have learned throughout the fall semester. It's an opporunity to feel nervous and excited, to feel a sense of accomplishment, to feel proud....its an opportunity to shine. And shine they will!

All of the dancers, ages 3 to 18, have worked extremely hard over the past several months. OK, they've laughed and been silly a bit, too. I wouldn't have it any other way! Yes, dance is a discipline and an art form, but dance is also an expression of joy. Dance is to be enjoyed. Dance should be fun.

So as our young dancers take center stage (or center studio in this case), I want them to be poised, graceful and strong (toes pointed, please). I want them to be confident in their abilities as they show mom & dad the technique they have learned. I want them to express the joy that they feel in their hearts as they move about the room. I want them to have fun!

Enjoy this moment, my beautiful dancers. I know that I will.

Dance for Joy,

Cammie O'Hara

Counting Our Blessings at The Dance Pointe

2009-11-23T05:09:00Z

As we approach Thanksgiving and the end of our first semester at The Dance Pointe, I am acutely aware of the many blessings in my life. I have a loving and supportive husband that is also my best friend; two children that are thoughtful, intellegent, and full of life; and two parents that continue to guide me, love me, and cheer me on.

On August 30th of this year, I was given even more blessings. The doors to The Dance Pointe opened for the first time and many Dripping Springs parents entrusted me and my instructors with their children's dance education.

Children dancing, smiling, learning, and growing....what a blessing, what a joy, what a dream come true. I am thankful for my beautiful family, for my dear friends, for my incredible instructors (Anna & Madison), and for the children that have entered the dance studio, my life, and my heart.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Keep dancing,

Cammie O'Hara
Owner, The Dance Pointe

Welcome

2009-11-19T14:05:04Z

Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.