It is so good to see so many dancers returning to the stage.  Some competitions have been super lucky to be able to move forward to allow our dancers the chance to do what they love doing.

With borders slowly opening, it has allowed these organisers the opportunity to start their competition year... even though we are now in August.

Our hearts still go out to all the Victorian and now NSW competition organisers. 

We are thinking of you everyday.

As you enter the world of competitions again, remember to adhere to their requirements with regard to dressing rooms, side stage and everything else that may not look the same.

REMEMBER: these organisers have had to develop COVID-19 plans and have them approved, this is a new world for them as well.

I remember so clearly teaching my 9am Jazz Classical at Broadway Dance Center on March 10th - there were only 5 people that showed up! I did however put that down to being a cold, early start and not fear of covid 19. I was headed to London that night and I was warned by some of my close friends that it wasn't a great idea. Their smart advice did not deter me and off I went. In London it was pretty much "situation normal" until it wasn't... I had to change my flight to make the deadline back into the USA before the borders shut to non US citizens - I really don't think at this point I was comprehending what was happening. I self isolated in my Upper West Side apartment for two weeks still not even contemplating the fact that I would return to Australia. During that time I was filming hours of dance classes and zooming my life away - the dance industry really did not miss a beat! My dad began to call me (which set off some alarm bells)  and a few of my closest friends began to ask me if I would be returning "home". In my mind I really thought that this whole crazy situation could not possibly last more than a few weeks - this is 2020 after all. However a flight was booked by my good friend Mark using all my points to go business class on what would be the last Virgin Australia flight from LA to Brisbane for quite some time. 

When I arrived at Newark airport to leave for LA there was not a single person in sight, in fact there were 12 passengers on my flight. I had been informed that the compulsory hotel quarantine would come into effect upon my arrival and I did question whether I was making the right choice. When I was boarding the plane in LA to go home I ran into some ex students of mine returning from gigs overseas - the realisation setting in that we were all going home. This was real. Just before we took off, the pilot did inform us that there might not be any International travel until 2021 and for the first time I began to believe it. Upon arrival into Australia we were only allowed off the plane in small groups, where temperatures were checked and we were given a mask to wear. I was more intrigued rather than scared. We were required to sign a document in front of the police acknowledging that we would be sent to hotel quarantine and then escorted out in front of military. It does sound very intense but in that moment I was very proud to be Australian as when I entered JFK only days earlier there were no measures in place whatsoever to see who was entering NYC.

My time in quarantine went very quickly as I was loaded up with lots of work. I had a gorgeous room and felt very looked after by Rydges in Brisbane. I had a few mental moments where I thought "What have I done and what is my life?"' NYC was all I had dreamed of for so long. Since being home I have been even busier than my pre corona life - I feel very blessed to be able to say this. I have continued my online zoom classes with all the studios I work for in the states - Broadway Dance Center, The Joffrey Ballet School, Breaking Ground Dance Center and Starstruck. I have really loved being able to stay connected to my US dancers - I miss them all so much. My BDC classes will continue through August and are a definite highlight of my week. I was also teaching online private lessons with Studio L and even choreographing solos all over the US and Canada. I was working some CRAZY hours- my breaking ground dancers would tap with me at 5am and we would watch the sunrise. There were also the infamous Joffrey instagram classes on my balcony with the beach backdrop connecting 1500 dancers from all over the world. There are some standout moments I will remember for the rest of my life!! I have also been teaching zoom classes all over the world from Brazil to the UK. It has really touched me to see how these dancers respond to my classes and more than ever shown me I am certainly doing what I was meant to do.

I have also been so fortunate to have been embraced by the Australian dance community. I have been teaching at Dance Force on the Gold Coast, HQ dance on the Sunshine Coast and now for TDC in Melbourne on zoom as they have been placed on lockdown for 6 weeks. The Aussie dancers all hold such a special place in my heart and I have been loving this extended time at home to work with them. We really have so much talent here in Australia along with amazing educators and choreographers! I have also been judging dance competitions - I did several online including the Star Dance Alliance virtual comp in the USA and recently judged Sunshine Coast Get the Beat in person this past weekend. It was incredible to see these kids back on stage. I will be heading to Adelaide and Sydney in the coming months to judge for Talent Tribe Dance Festival. It is all very exciting! One of my best friends and broadway performer/choreographer who was just about to open Mrs Doubtfire Michaeljon Slinger has also returned home and we will be offering "NYC direct" workshops to share our knowledge from the city of dreams! 

As for returning back to the US, I have no return date. I feel that I am safer and better off in Australia for the time being. I am terribly homesick for NYC and my life there but I know in my heart I belong here right now. I know they have been trying to open up dance studios and some of my employers have put in massive efforts to ensure the safety of dancers and families. However I do not see myself wanting to travel on an international plane, let alone a subway to teach a 6 hr lineup fully masked anytime soon. I hope one day the US will get back on track and I can return. 

I am also part of Architect Squadron and I train weekly with Rebecca Davies. I have been so lucky to travel the world with Miss Rebecca for the last 2 years as one of her International Assistants. I’ve been all over UK, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Iceland, Paris, Moscow, Ibiza and Japan. I am so grateful for these opportunities to train with amazing dancers from all over the world .

We are now back in isolation in Melbourne and spending another term dancing at home. The best thing about isolation is we get to work with teachers and choreographers each week that we wouldn’t have if we were back in the studio. We are dancing more now than ever and our Director, Lisa Hammer is making sure that we are keeping our high level of training up.