Dancing has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. I started dancing when I was about 8 years old and in love with performing . Each week and almost every night, I would go to the studio and take classes. These classes have shaped me into a better dancer but also into a better person. Each day as a dancer you are faced with a challenge. Memorization, endurance and techniques but sometimes we have to face something even more challenging, and that's your will to fight for your passion.
Throughout my dance career, I have had many teachers, and many of them have blessed me beyond words. But there are others that I'd like to forget. I had one teacher who took me under her wing and I thought the world of her. She was am amazing teacher. She pushed me to my limits and was always there to cheer me on. One day, for reasons I still do not understand, she changed. She told my mom that she had "given up on me " and that crushed me. From that point on, I was treated differently by her and among the other students. She started ignoring me, not giving me corrections, and then started bullying me in front of the other kids which caused them to turn on me too. This person that I looked up to betrayed me and cut me so deep that I just wanted to quit . My passion was gone and it fizzled into almost nothing. I didn't want to go to dance , I didn't want to perform, I just wanted to quit. But then, when I had almost lost all hope, God sent me a guardian angel and to this day she is still my mentor. She is my teacher and my soul sister and without her, I don't know where I would be . She built me up from this broken girl to a strong independent woman. She pushed me, gave me love, and helped me blossom into the dancer that I am today. She gave me back my spark to perform and dance again. Later in my competitive career, I won a National Title, which was my goal as a child. I was elated! Without her and my families love and guidance, I don't think it would have ever been possible .
Sometimes we face bigger things than ourselves. It can be an injury, a conflict, or even a person trying to bring us down. But what I have learned throughout this journey, is never give up! Other people are going to try and hurt you in life. Their jealous words and hurtful actions do not define you as a person or a dancer. It all depends on you. I am blessed enough to have a family that loves me and a mentor who has become like a sister to me. She pushed me through many obstacles. The truth is, it boils down to you. It is your choice to let others effect you and hurt you or fight back for what you love! You don't have to give in or give up , you just have to fight for what you love, and I fought to dance! Dancers, being a performer is a really difficult career. You are going to get injured, sore, sweat, cry, but still accomplish things you never thought possible! If you believe in yourself and your dreams you can achieve them . Let your passion free and leave it all on the dance floor with everything you have inside you! To all of the dancers around the globe that are fighting and pushing themselves to test their limits, I am so proud of you! To every boy or girl who says "sorry I can't, I have dance", or to every dancer who if always tired but gets up each day , goes to school and then pours their souls out through dance, I'm proud of you! For each bullied performer, to each forgotten dancer in the back row, you are strong and you can face your obstacles and conquer them. You just have to believe! There's a famous saying in dance that says, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain". Just fight, fight, fight back with everything inside you.
I thank God each day that I have such amazing people in my life who support me and all of my endeavors. Just know that I believe in each and every one of you dancers. I'll be with you in spirit and I'll be your cheerleader, go out their and show the world what you have to offer. Set the floor on fire!
Thank You, Michele Long!!
Much luck & love,
Jennifer Mlott
Jennifer is also an accomplished Tap Teacher and Choreographer. She is extensively trained in tap, jazz, musical theater, contemporary, modern and ballet and has studied with tap dancer greats, Savion Glover, Jimmy Tate, Maurice Chestnut, Ivory Wheeler, Michele Long, and Linda Rees. During her competitive career, Jennifer won numerous awards and titles and was a nine time Dancer of the Year Finalist and is the 2011 Teen National Tap Champion. She is also the Assistant Director of Extreme Rhythm Project, a pre-professional tap company in Indianapolis created by Michele Long, Jennifer's long time mentor. Jennifer's students have been very successful on the dance competition circuit with her choreography. They have won numerous awards including, Overall Champion, Highest Scoring number in the competition, Most Entertaining, and Choreography Awards.
"Will Your Career do an Interview or Write a Letter to Pass down your Passion to your Descendants, Kids or Students to help them choose their Careers like Jennifer did?
Jennifer's Music Letter To Passionate Kids
www.jennifermlott.com
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