On my blog, I talk a lot about dance and how I have experience in it. But I don’t think I have ever really talked about my dance journey.
For me it all started a when I was younger, I used to love school discos and bopping away at family parties.
From there I started my first dance class in Irish Dance, my Dad would take me after school and Id have my little black soft Irish dance shoes on. They were a nightmare to get on and fasten with all the straps and laces.
Irish dance was a lot of posture correction, being very stiff up top and then fluid but harsh on your feet. My teacher was very strict but she knew her stuff. I only did one show/competition. I remember my hair having to be brushed and poofy to perfection and my dress was beautiful. My dress was a traditional Irish dance dress, green sleeves, fitted and flared at the bottom with this Irish design on it.
I had graduated from soft shoe to the heels that you see the dancers were on Riverdance. I was so happy when I got to wear a heel that I slipped over in class and feel flat on my face. I was so embarrassed that I gave up and never returned to Irish dance again.
Then came Chart Toppers, which was a class that provided my local sports centre. Chart Toppers was a pop/street dance class. I did this on the weekend when I was little, we would learn a new routine every week and it was a lot of fun. We also did a show outside in a park and it was great- I loved it and I finally found a dance class that I could stick too.
Then the class stopped and dance stopped for me.
Then 2004/5 I moved and I found Feet First, I was there from 2004/5- 2013/14. I did ContemporaryStreet and Stage. I loved it, learning routines, performing on stage and learning about technique. I truly believe that Feet First made me who I am today as a person. It was hard work but the result was soo worth it, to be on stage and see my family applaud and smile- that was the reward after all the long rehearsals.
From then, you may know that I studied A-Level Dance and Performing Arts then it stopped from there. To find out why it all stopped, you will have to follow and subscribe to my blog to find out.
Gemma's Journey 