Life According to Kiera: This Is Me

Written by Rowonna McNeely – Well, we survived. It all started last Tuesday. That afternoon after work, I ran to pick Kiera up, hastily grabbing her dance bag and headed to Bangs ISD auditorium for the first dance recital practice. Wednesday afternoon was another day of the same.

Kiera has been taking dance this year from KG Dance Studios in Brownwood. All the classes she had taken throughout the year had led up to this chaotic week.

Both nights the dancers would practice their dances and then we would head home to prepare for the next day. Actually, I make it sound worse than it was. Mrs. Karey, Mrs. Stef and Mr. Dan had planned the practices to allow for the younger dancers to practice first. This way, they did not have to sit as long and the parents did not have to keep them out as late.

Thursday was dress rehearsal and by the time it rolled around, we (parents and dancers) had a better idea of what to expect.  It was the first night that the girls would wear their sparkling costumes with their hair fixed, dance makeup applied and dance as if no one was watching.

Now, let me tell you a small fact about this mama. I cannot work a bobby pin to save my life. Seriously. I can French braid hair. It’s not one of those amazing-stay-in-place-all-day kind of French braids but it can make it through a good portion of the day. But, when it comes to a bobby pin, I don’t know what happens. I just can’t make them stay.

This becomes a small problem when you plan to put your child’s hair in a bun for her dance recital. I can do a messy bun… you know, the kind that does not call for the dreaded bobby pin. Thankfully, a friend helped me out and volunteered to do Kiera’s hair for the dress rehearsal and both nights of the dance recital.

She made it look effortless. I’m still in awe.

That Thursday night, Mrs. Karey took the stage and briefly discussed the song that had been chosen for the finale. “Each dancer can wear whichever costume they are most comfortable in for the finale.” She said, “I want them to dress and wear what they want for this number, to feel free to present themselves how they are. That’s what this song is about… being yourself.”

Dance rehearsal went well. Oh, there were a few bumps along the way… things like getting the music and light cues correct, dancers in the right place, a shoe flying off mid-dance… but it wasn’t anything that couldn’t be handled.

Kiera danced beautifully. I was so proud of my little dancer.  Since it was dress rehearsal, all the dancers stayed through the whole program so they could practice the finale. As we headed home Thursday night I could tell Kiera was tired and it became very obvious when I tried to ask her questions.

“Which dance is your favorite?” I asked Kiera as we drove back towards Brownwood. “Do you like your Jazz or Ballet dance the best?”

There was a small sigh from the back seat. “I don’t know, Mom.” She said, “I’m just to worn out right now to think about it.”

I smiled at her in the mirror before turning the radio up knowing that was the safest option.

Friday night rolled around and we were ready to go. Dance costumes…check! Glitter and makeup…check! Dance bag with dance shoes…check! Awesome friend to fix Kiera’s hair…check!

Before we knew it, the lights were going down and Mrs. Karey was taking the stage to thank everyone for attending. Once again, Kiera danced beautifully. She never hesitated when it was her time to head backstage to warm up and she didn’t bat an eye when it came time to dance in front of the huge crowd.

The entire performance was amazing. There were tiny dancers that twirled, young dancers that tip-toed out in the perfect form, teenage dancers that moved with so much grace it could bring a tear to your eye, dancers that made you laugh at their antics, acrobatics classes that tumbled, flipped and jumped. The performance was a mass of endless talent.

But, I have to say; the most amazing part of the whole recital was when the song began to play for the finale. Oh, I had heard the song in rehearsal but I didn’t pay a lot of attention to the words until that moment.

Listening to the music, I watched as dancers from each class came out on stage. They were holding hands and stood center stage, bowing and then moving backwards to dance as the next group came on.

As I sat watching all the dancers, big and small, I really listened to the words and realized that even though each child was in their group and dancing in unison, KG Dance Studios had helped them find a way to express their selves.  They had unified them and also made them believe in their abilities and what they had to offer.

I let the words wash over me as I saw each child’s smiling face.

“When the sharpest words wanna cut me down; I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown ‘em out. I am brave, I am bruised, I am who I’m meant to be. This is me. Look out ‘cause here I come and I’m marching on to the beat I drum. I’m not scared to be seen. I make no apologies. This is me.”

Thank you, Mrs. Karey, Mrs. Stef and Mr. Dan. Thank you for all the hard work you put in with all our children every week. Thank you for the love, care and commitment you have shown to each of them even on the craziest of days. Thank you for teaching my child to be proud of whom she is and what she has to offer.

I also want to say thank you to everyone who helped put together and worked so hard on the dance recital. It could not have been done without you!

Lyrics from “This Is Me” The Greatest Showman

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