A Message from Coach
Why Dance in Our Community Matters More Than Ever
The other day, one of my nine-year-old students saw me wearing my “Dancing Coach” shirt and asked what school it was for. When I told her it was for Normal Community High School, she lit up and said, “That’s where I’m going to go to school! You’ll be my dance coach, because I want to join the dance team.”
That one little sentence stuck with me. Because in that moment, I saw it—I saw the bridge being built between where she is now and where she wants to be. And I realized just how powerful it is to be part of that journey.
Right now, I’m her dance teacher. I’m introducing her to movement, to musicality, to teamwork. But one day, I could be her coach—someone who helps her unlock a whole new level of potential, artistry, and personal growth. And that shift—from teacher to coach—isn’t just about age or skill. It’s about vision. It’s about building a roadmap that doesn’t end in high school, but actually starts there.
Because here’s the thing that breaks my heart a little: I’ve talked to so many people—moms, college students, former dancers—who say things like, “I danced in high school,” or “I used to dance at a studio, but then I stopped.” And when I ask why, it’s often the same answer: life moved on. They went to college. They got a job. Somewhere along the way, they believed dance was something they had to leave behind.
Why do we do that? Why does dance—especially for girls—have an expiration date?
Society has a way of telling us that art is a phase, not a future. That moving our bodies, expressing ourselves, and creating something beautiful is only valid if it turns into a paycheck or a profession. But that’s not true. Dance is a language. A safe space. A source of joy. And it can belong in our lives for as long as we choose to hold onto it.
That’s why what we do now matters. That’s why creating competitive and performance opportunities for young dancers isn’t just about winning—it’s about expanding their vision. It’s about giving them chances to see what’s out there. To push themselves. To be inspired by others. To feel that fire of what if I could do that too?
Whether they grow in skill, in confidence, in artistry, or in athleticism—it all counts. It all shapes who they become. And teams, especially at the high school level, offer a space where that growth happens fast, loud, and in full color. It’s emotional. It’s physical. It’s artistic. And it’s deeply transformational.
And yet—when dancers get to junior or senior year, there’s this bittersweet feeling, like the clock is running out. As if dance was a chapter they’re about to close, instead of a foundation they can build from.
What I want for our community is to rewrite that story. To say to every dancer—this doesn’t have to end. You can keep dancing. You can go to college and join a team. You can major or minor in dance. You can teach. You can choreograph. Or you can simply keep dancing because it brings you joy. That’s valid. That’s powerful. That’s enough.
And it all starts locally. It starts when a 9-year-old talks to a high school coach about her dreams. It starts when a studio introduces kids to conventions and competitions and opens their minds to the world beyond their zip code. It starts when we treat dancers like athletes, artists, and future leaders—because they are.
We’ve got talent in Bloomington-Normal. We’ve got heart. And we’ve got the power to build a dance culture that supports and celebrates the full journey—from tiny dancer to empowered young adult.