{"id":72,"date":"2024-01-23T10:19:29","date_gmt":"2024-01-23T18:19:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/malloryrose.opened.ca\/?p=72"},"modified":"2024-03-02T14:40:21","modified_gmt":"2024-03-02T22:40:21","slug":"print-assignment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/malloryrose.opened.ca\/?p=72","title":{"rendered":"Print Assignment"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Beyond the Four Walls<\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Reflecting on the Lifelong Impact of a Dance Environment.<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n
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31 December, 2023 \u2013 The Performing Arts Warehouse, SK \u2013 dancer Avery Gelhorn, is standing on pointe in front of The Performing Arts Warehouse, Wall of F.A.M.E. awards, reminiscing achievements from her early dance career. Photographer: Mallory Attree<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Returning Home<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0After her first semester at York University in Toronto, Avery Gelhorn finds herself returning to her home studio, Performing Arts Warehouse, reuniting with her roots after graduating to pursue a professional dance career. As she walks through the familiar corridors, memories flood back, highlighting the profound influence of her dance community which shapes her artistic path. Avery’s journey reflects the enduring bond between dancers and their beloved studio, illustrating the transformative power of dance in all aspects.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Highs and Lows Of the Dance Community<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For many aspiring dancers, the dance community serves as a cornerstone, offering benefits that extend beyond the physical movements. Competitive dance teams instill responsibility, ownership, and self-reflection in participants, fostering self-worth and a drive for personal success. The companionship within a dance family cultivates resilience, reliance, and discipline preparing dancers for success both on and off the stage. Alongside the long list of benefits, a supportive dance environment nurtures teamwork, leadership, and overall essential life skills that lay the foundation for future endeavors. Ask almost any dancer, there are never enough words to describe how impactful a supportive dance teacher and peers are on one\u2019s life beyond the studio.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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31 December, 2023 \u2013 The Performing Arts Warehouse, SK \u2013 The image captures the motion of ballet dancer Avery Gelhorn turning on pointe across the floor. Photographer: Mallory Attree<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

“With exposure to industry professionals, dancers have a chance to build relationships that can help bridge the gap from dance as a hobby to dance as a career” (DeMaria, 2021). <\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For dancers like Avery, her family at the Performing Arts Warehouse is more than just a place to practice. It\u2019s a second home where lifelong bonds have been created and engraved in her heart. The fellowship runs deep, providing a support system that like many dancers, helped Avery navigate the challenges that she has faced throughout her early dance career. A well-rounded dance community like the Performing Arts Warehouse encourages confidence, social skills, and openness to new opportunities and feedback, equipping dancers with the tools they need to manage defeat and stress.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\u201cDance develops relationships, connects people, and increases feelings of joy and togetherness\u201d (Tao et al., 2022).<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Over many years together, a dance team’s bond tightens through shared triumphs and tribulations, fostering a village that carries dancers through life\u2019s ebbs and flows. With fertile ground, dancers may blossom in fulfillment, opportunity, and empowerment to confront adversity with as much resilience and grace as they exhibit on stage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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31 December, 2023 \u2013 The Performing Arts Warehouse, SK \u2013 The senior dance team of The Performing Arts Warehouse, connectedly posed together in front of the logo in the main dance studio. Photographer: Mallory Attree<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0However, the dance world isn\u2019t without controversies and challenges. Not all dancers have the privilege of experiencing a nurturing environment. As lucky as the dancers at the Performing Arts Warehouse have been, many other dance studios are infiltrated with toxicity. A hindering dance environment, emotionally hindering teachers, and lack of support for dancers have had many lasting effects on the mental and physical health of students. Unrealistic expectations and harmful practices can take a toll on their well-being, leading to injuries and burnout among dancers. Let alone the rising issues of body image, eating disorders, comparison, and low self-worth are all factors of deficiencies in competitive dance. It begins with dance educators and mentors who guide dancers when it comes to the emphasizing importance of an inclusive, mindful, and positive dance studio environment. Avery appreciates the unwavering support of her mentors and teachers over the years, acknowledging its importance, and aspiring to carry meaningful practices with her as her influence on young dancers grows.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cAs teachers of talented or gifted individuals, their impact is sometimes underestimated, possibly in the first place by the teachers themselves\u201d (Van Rossum, 2004). <\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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31 December, 2023 \u2013 The Performing Arts Warehouse, SK \u2013 dancer Avery Gelhorn, is seated in the ballet studio, gazing at a pair of her pointe shoes. Photographer: Mallory Attree<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Reflecting On Her Journey<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For Avery, the dance community serves as a beacon of resilience, offering a safe haven where she can express herself freely and authentically. Follow along while Avery takes a walk down memory lane, showing her reflections and memoirs from the experiences and relationships that dance has brought into her life. The Performing Arts Warehouse represents a sanctuary for Avery – a place where dreams are nurtured, friendships are forged, and spirits are lifted. As Avery reflects on her journey as a dancer and looks forward to her future in dance, she knows that no matter where her journey takes her, her dance family will always be there to support and uplift her. A dance studio may just be four walls, but many dancers will testify that it is the heartbeat of a community united in pursuit of artistic expression and human connection.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\u201cIf I could tell you what it meant, there would be no point in dancing it\u201d<\/em><\/p>\r\n Isadora Duncan (The mother of modern dance)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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31 December, 2023 \u2013 The Performing Arts Warehouse, SK \u2013 The leg of a ballerina Avery Gelhorn, propped up on the ballet barre while warming up before dancing. Photographer: Mallory Attree<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Works Cited:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Van Rossum, J. H. A. (2004).\u00a0The Dance Teacher: The ideal case and daily reality. Journal for the education of the gifted. \u00a0https:\/\/files.eric.ed.gov\/fulltext\/EJ682811.pdf<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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DeMaria, Kirsten. (2021).\u00a0Competitive dance: The physiological and psychological effects from the perspectives of current versus retired dancers. The University of\u00a0Northern Colorado, scholarship & creative\u00a0works @ Digital UNC.\u00a0https:\/\/digscholarship.unco.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1285&context=theses<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Tao, Gao, Cole, Baker, Gu, Supriya, Tong, Hu and Awan-Scully. (2022) The physiological and psychological benefits of dance and its effects on children\u00a0and adolescents: A\u00a0systematic review. Frontiers. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389%2Ffphys.2022.925958<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Beyond the Four Walls Reflecting on the Lifelong Impact of a Dance Environment. Returning Home \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0After her first semester at York University in Toronto, Avery Gelhorn finds herself returning to her home studio, Performing Arts Warehouse, reuniting with her roots after graduating to pursue a professional dance career. As she walks through the familiar corridors, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5509,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/malloryrose.opened.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/malloryrose.opened.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/malloryrose.opened.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malloryrose.opened.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5509"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malloryrose.opened.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=72"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/malloryrose.opened.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":119,"href":"https:\/\/malloryrose.opened.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72\/revisions\/119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/malloryrose.opened.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=72"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malloryrose.opened.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=72"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malloryrose.opened.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=72"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}