05/05/2025
Saying Goodbye…
Five years. Five years of living out my dream. Five years of joy, laughter, mentoring, passion, and family. Five years of stress, anxiety, overload, and troubles.
Dance was a passion 5 year old me developed. Teaching dance was just a silly little dream 12 year old me had. Owning a dance studio was a calling 15 year old “I may never be able to stand on my toes let alone dance again” me had. 19 year old me made NEXUS Pointe come to life.
I wanted to create a space where dancers could not only grow their love for the art and sport of dance, but a place where they could use their gifts for God and have a family atmosphere. I wanted to be the person backstage watching my kids shine and thinking “I helped make that happen”. I wanted to be able mentor children of all ages and help them be the best versions of themselves by teaching them how to love themselves, be responsible, and live for the Lord. I wanted a purpose.
Thankfully, NEXUS Pointe was all that I ever wanted. It’s my baby. It was the only thing I worked towards for 12 years. I started teaching dance at age 13 and I never turned back. I even “created my own degree” so that I could do exactly what NEXUS Pointe was. I have no idea who I am without dance and I have no idea who I am without teaching. I could never imagine my life without either of those things, and it’s very hard now that I have to.
I cannot fathom the thought of not seeing my kids everyday. I know - they aren’t “my kids”. But they are mine. I saw them more than my husband. I loved them more than I loved myself. I heard every small detail in their life. I gave and received hugs. I picked up on all their lingo I didn’t understand. And unfortunately, they picked up on my mannerisms & dramaticness as well. Some days they made me want to rip out my hair but most days, I couldn’t get enough of them. Thank you for trusting me with your kids all these years. I cannot begin to tell you how blessed I feel to be a small portion of their lives. I pray you continue to allow me to be apart of their lives even though this chapter is ending. Kids, I love you all and was honored to be your “dance mom”. I will always be here for you and will be cheering you on in all that you do.
If I could go back and thank 5 year old me for asking to do dance, thank 12 year old me for dreaming this up, thank 15 year old me to be ambitious enough to think I could do this… I’d tell her we did it. We did the damn thing. Owning a dance studio is not for the weak and came with a whole lot more than I expected, but I did it. And now 24 year old me is having to say goodbye on the best and biggest chapter of her life so far.
I feel like I’m losing myself because I’ve only ever known being a dancer or a dance teacher. My heart aches and I’ve sobbed myself to sleep knowing this all has to come to an end, and it’s an end I was not ready for. But Isaiah 55:8-9 says “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
I tried. I held on as long as I could. I came up with thousands of ideas to keep it going. The rise of inflations/the expenses of the studio along with needing a certain number of dancers for it to continue (in which the rise of inflation caused families to not be able to commit to dance - a viscous cycle) made everything come to a stop. And no matter how much I tried to fight it, God finally put his hands on my shoulders and said “Slow down. It’s okay. You’ve done what I’ve planned and it’s time for this chapter to close.”
I don’t want it to end. I don’t want the chapter closed. I don’t know how I still have any tears left. I’m terrified to figure out the person I am without dance, without teaching. I wish I could find the words, but everything I start to type sounds so depressing that I delete it. Yes this is sad, and yes it’ll take me a long time to get over it. However, I’m also so unbelievably happy that I had these five years. I’m beaming with pride seeing everything come to life. I’m appreciative of everything I’ve learned and experienced.
My purpose has been fulfilled - even if I selfishly wanted to hold on longer. But, God always wins, and He has another purpose for me, although I don’t know what it is yet. Though, I am eager to find out what it is because if it’s even a little bit as rewarding and fun as the studio was - I’ll be more than blessed.
Thank you NEXUS Pointe for giving me a family. Thank you for giving me a purpose. Thank you for being my life. Thank you for the lifelong relationships that I would’ve never gotten without you. Thank you for everything. It’s time to let go of the 5 year old in me, but I’m doing it with a tearful smile. I will never be the same without you. NEXUS Pointe, you were the hardest but best thing to ever happen to me. I hope your legacy and your family remains for a lifetime. I love you forever.
Miss HallieMak is hanging up her dance shoes for now, but hopefully not forever.
Past awards the studio and I have earned/been nominated for:
3 Stand Out Title Interview Awards
22 1st Place Overalls (Team & Solos)
International Champion
Overall Grand Champion
Multiple Choreography Awards, Judges Awards, Overall Placements
2 Studio Sportsmanship Awards
Studio Exceptional Performance Award (Shows Musicality, Characterization, & Storytelling - “the hardest things to teach”)
3 Title Winners & 2 Title Runner Ups
2 Scholarships
Regional Champion Team
2 National Champion Teams 2023
4 National Solo Winners
Nominated for Outstanding Young Professional 2022
Nominated for the Ora Cline award 2022
Best Dance Studio in Central/Eastern Kentucky 2023
Events the Studio has hosted:
2 Dance Conventions
2 Pointe Shoe Days
3 Dancing With The Local Stars Events
5 CHRISTmas Spectacular Red Carpet Events
5 Spring Showcases & Ballet Productions
Honorable mention:
5 Baptisms
