12/08/2020
Today's Holiday Tapestry reflections will be from some of our Choreographers. We'll start with Alex!
"When I was 7 years old, my mom's friend told her about auditions for a children’s singing and dancing group. We had recently moved to California from North Carolina, I think my mom was looking for some extra curricular activities to enhance our childhood and keep us busy. Little did she know how busy Galena would keep us!
As a child, I loved everything about being in Children’s Chorus and I could not wait to be a big Galena girl. I loved the smell of Hiram Johnson (what is that smell?) and the opportunity to wear beautiful costumes and put on real makeup. I loved feeling the stage lights warm on my face as I danced and sang. And I loved it when I got called to be an extra (shopper/caroler/gift giver) in a Galena number. That was so special in my 7 year old mind! I couldn’t think of anything more fun than getting to stay up late with my friends singing and dancing. I avoided brushing the curls out of my hair (yes we curled our real hair!) and wiping off my lipstick because I wanted to be able to tell {brag to} all of my elementary school friends about the amazing show I performed in which was the reason for my tardiness.
In high school, Galena show week became more physically demanding with earlier mornings, later nights, and more difficult dances-but I loved it! My very best friends were in Galena and I was energized by the rush that comes when you hear the intro music begin and hear the crowd “Ah” as the curtains open. I craved the satisfaction that comes from practicing so many times and finally, FINALLY getting the steps right or the notes right. My heart swelled when the closing song ended and I saw my cute parents in a standing ovation applauding with all the energy of a proud mom and dad. I thrived on the camaraderie that Galena provides and treasure the memories of prayer circles before shows and Secret Santas and late nights at Denny's or Leatherby's after the last show.
Being in Galena taught me countless important lessons including the value of hard work, practice, getting the details right (hello, costumes pieces!), resiliency, humility, flexibility (physical and mental), sacrifice, and teamwork. As an adult, I've learned even more from this amazing Holiday Tapestry experience having the opportunity to be a choreographer. I would like to share just one special experience.
A few years ago, I slid into my seat in Hiram Johnson on a Saturday nightjust seconds before the intro music started. My stomach was full of butterflies- more butterflies than I ever had as a performer! When the international section started and I saw my dancers flood the stage, joy, love, and gratitude filled my heart. It was hard to remember that only a month before, I was coaching them not to look at their feet to figure out the step. And now, I saw them shining-dancing in unison, exuding joy, and as I would tell them in practice, shooting light all the way out of their fingertips. As I continued watching the show, I thought about the creative process of Holiday Tapestry that I had watched over the years and in a small part-helped with... Not every performer was a "dancer" or "singer" or had years of experience, but yet, the show always sparkled and brought happiness to the audiences. Jeri, Richard, and Ron had masterfully created a show that showed off the strengths of the individual performers as well as the strength of the group- a true "tapestry." Each year beautiful performers had come to the table so to speak, offering their individual talents and hard work. The directors came with a vision of what could be. Together with hours upon hours of hard work, buckets of sweat and tears, do overs and quick changes, and change back and do it again, and the backbone of support parent volunteers- they {we} had created something of beauty that not one person could have achieved on their own or without the vision of the directors. It made me think of a spiritual parallel.... When we trust in God's creative process, we can let him make something beautiful of our lives- something better than we could have created on our own. And when we work together with each other and God, we can create good and beauty in the world.
I'm grateful to have been part of the Galena family for three decades (!!!)- to Jeri, and Richard and Ron who magically keep inviting me back each year, and I treasure all of my Galena dancers who have given life to the dance steps in my mind. Although this year we cannot participate in the arts like we've done in years past, my heart is full of a million happy Galena memories. You can bet I'll be doing some Christmas Celebration moves at home in my pjs.
With love and squeezy dancer hugs,
Alex"
