Open Vénissieux was quite the competition especially the Equipe Dance Twirl. If anyone asks me how it feels to always go to these competitions every month and spend the whole day, 8 hours or maybe up to 10 hours of going to a ville to just see my daughter perform 2 minute routines, “it’s actually entertaining and very tiring”. Watching them perform is like a community. I don’t enjoy sitting down for hours, so I have to keep myself entertained by taking photos. Capturing the light in these kids eyes and seeing their costumes move with the music brings excitement.

In United States, when I was part of a dance company, I loved every moment of it eventhough my family wasn’t able to support me. My dance team was my family. At the time, it gave me a purpose other than my art. Eventhough I started late of age, it made me want to work even harder. I trained at the studio and at home behind closed doors. My insecurities were not evident when I performed, but they were there hidden in the clouds.

The moments we spend our time in each competition is about the support each child and team(s) needs. For every child who performs in a routine, it’s a challenge for them too. They are faced with a difficulty to perform 100% with no mistakes. It’s not about perfection – it’s about the heart. Yes, they make mistakes, but with each mistake comes growth. They either have to work harder the next day at the gymnasium with all of the other girls, and sometimes even more training at home to advance. The talent we see comes with hard work. It does not come naturally, it is very rare. The community of people who encourages and coaches all these children have a lot on their hands because parents also want results. In the end, it’s what the child wants. When coaches asks for more, nothing comes easy. There needs to be challenges before we reach our best.

Everyday I went to the studio, and I had to catch the bus from 30 minutes to an hour. I walked, biked and ran, rain or shine. At nights, I came home late – sometimes around close to midnight – because it was the last bus. Some parents did not see my difficulties, but it did not matter. I was in my safe haven dancing with all the other girls. All my troubles and worries were blocked from the world.

Maybe it is the same for the girls I see performing. They attend to class 3 to 5 days of the week, so they can advance or just get away from the world of noise. They need a place of comfort. Performing with their team brings out the best in them or even just performing individually. Watching Dance Rhythmic Twirling is very precise and very difficult because you are moving with a baton. You have technics of ballet incorporated, dance in movement and gymnastics for jumps and tumbling. The dynamics for each routine can be emotional – if it is executed correctly. You can see it in their face and the quality of movement through their body.

I love to see teams including individuals transport me to another world with their performance quality. I appreciate a great performance, and I can see a performance more than once. To be honest, I don’t mind waiting for the last category of dance twirl and individuals rythmic dance after 6 hours of sitting and watching technical baton. The anticipation makes the day even better.

In all honesty, if you asked me if I enjoy watching 8 hours of baton. I would answer with a certainty ‘Yes’. Therefore if you are here reading my blog, and you have never known about twirling baton like me a couple years ago, then Welcome. Enjoy and join the ride with me. Maybe you’ll learn a little bit more through my stories and adventures. It’s never too late to like something different.