One of the first things I did after moving to New York was go to dance class.
I almost didn't go. I almost left the studio the very first time I went there, too frightened to try dance class in New York as an adult...
After all, it had been years since I'd taken dance classes regularly. I had a very little ballet when I was a small girl, a very little tap.
Later, when I was an adult out in the working world, I took my first jazz class. With my sister Elena cheering me on, I even performed a jazz routine with a group of very classy ladies.
And I found that I loved dance. I loved the way it helped my body feel streamlined and powerful. I loved how I could express myself through moving with a song. I loved how dancing just made me feel healthier.
Every time I come to class now, I feel uncertainty... will I be able to handle what they throw at me? Will I remember every step? Will I make it to the end of class? What happens when they put me in a small group? I'll be more exposed-- should I safely stand in the back? The front feels more like a challenge-- more pressure, like people will be following me-- can I handle that? What if I lead them wrong? Is it wrong to stand on the front row, or is it right because it will help me learn faster? I see the dancers tonight near the teacher-- they're able to feel her movements and stay with her. I think back to a very wise teacher at Alvin Ailey, Iquail, who asked me to move up front so I'd learn faster. He felt that I could handle it. I can handle the front row. As long as the teacher wants to let me stay there, I can stay there. As long as I want to be there I can stay there.
Where can I hear Lisa sing?
People have been asking me this lately, so... One place is this blog!! It has links to videos and recordings that should give you some awesome singing moments :) Another place is... 144 W 15th Street in Manhattan on Sundays in a church service starting at around 1:15 pm on the 4th floor!! I sing there almost every Sunday in a free and beautiful service that is primarily conducted in American Sign Language (ASL) so as to be accessible to an ASL crowd, but it also has some great aurally audible musical moments thanks to my friends Jami and Richard Gordon-Smith, my parents Tom and Diane Higbee, lots of LDS full-time missionaries, and more!!!!! It's a beautiful and inspiring service, and I love singing there :) See you in church!! Lisa
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