05/08/2023
A Letter From Benji:
We have reached our last week of class before recital! This year has been a wild one! Getting to own and run a dance studio has been something I've dreamt of since I was a little boy in dance class, much like a lot of my students. Growing from that little boy into a competitive dancer, and from that, into an artist and teacher, then ten years later living that dream within a space I found creative safety in for 6 years! It is amazing, and an experience I'm lucky enough to have, and I'm so grateful to have such amazing students, my partner in dance (and in crime) Maddy, dance parents and support and trust in Maddy and Myself to train and grow your dancer's passion for our art.
I've always believed that as time goes by, as artists, and even as people, we allow ourselves to grow creatively, and physically and our dreams do too. These past 10 years of teaching have been nothing short of amazing and as this year comes to a close, I reflect, and I feel that I have climbed to the mountain top in my teaching career, and succeeded in so much of what that little aspiring danseur in ballet class dreamed of accomplishing and more! This year I learned as a business owner, that sometimes you have to make decisions that are hard, but in the long run end up being what is good and right to succeed; A lesson that applies to so much more than a studio, but in life. With that said, I have made the decision that after our recital, I will be closing Spotlight Dance Project, and taking a break from Dance Instruction. It is a decision I did not make lightly, but I feel necessary for my health and wellbeing.
For My students, past and present: I'm grateful to have met and worked with each and every one of you. From my beginning, in the basement of the Milton Town Hall for "BBJR", Ballet to Broadway Dance, to choreography rehearsals and performances for Millworks Theatre, to my small and private classes at Dance Envy and Arthur Murray and, of course, my most recent students at Spotlight Dance Project. New or Old, even if our time together was short, I appreciate and am so proud of each and every one of you. You have all helped shape me into the teacher, artist, and person I am today, and I am HONORED to have taught you, and even be considered a role model. Thank You.
Never forget to strive for PROGRESS, not perfect. like dance, life is about making mistakes and letting your passion and your love for what you do move you through to the next step. Each of you brought something so SPECIAL and MAGICAL to the studio when you danced, and I'm blessed to have witnessed it firsthand week after week, and year after year. While this year's performance is a swan song for me, I hope that you see all the potential I see in each of you and continue your path in doing what you love. Chase your dreams, and whether it's on stage or in your kitchen, never stop dancing.
Dreams CAN and WILL come true if you can stop underestimating yourself, chase what makes you happy, and believe that your hard work WILL pay off. I believe it and I believe in you. And I always will.
Thank you all for this year, and your YEARS of endless support, I have infinite appreciation and adoration for all of you.
Artistically Yours,
Benji
