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Writer's pictureMegan Roche

How Dance Became My Heart

There is something so special to me about my plywood practice space and my weekly classes. I was never super talented with a ball or bat, but I lack coordination and the only dancing I seem to do is in my living room after a stressful day. That all changed when I decided I was going to take dance classes.


In 2019, I took a chance and signed up for a four week tap dance class. I don't know what I was expecting but I know it wasn't what I got. Four weeks and I barely knew what I was doing, let alone picking up choreography. Each Wednesday night, I left class, got in my car and cried the entire way home. Maybe this whole dance thing was something I was supposed to just enjoy watching.


After moving to Virginia in early 2020, I decided to take a leap back into the dance world. Maybe finding a new studio would provide me with the tools to better learn tap. Of course, as fate would have it, I loved it but then the COVID-19 pandemic came and washed away all my progress.


In the studio, April 2023


2020 and 2021 came and went. As I was sitting in my kitchen one day, I decided that I needed to find a creative outlet once again. I was getting burnt out quite quickly at work and I needed to get out of the house once a week. I called a few local dance schools and found out that all but one offered adult tap.


What I've learned throughout my dance journey thus far is that sometimes it's all about the approach and the teacher. Thankfully I found a good one. I am lucky to have someone who is patient and nice to me. He puts up with me when I want to quit because I'm frustrated but he also knows that I'll always come back to the studio and try just as hard the next day. (Thanks Ben, I'm grateful for you, even if you annoy me.)


Since I was a bit behind the other girls in my original class, I decided to take an additional class on Monday night to try and pick up the skills that I was lacking. Next thing I know? I signed up to perform in my very first dance recital at the age of 31.


Moral of the story? You are never too old to do something new.


Dance has taught me so many valuable lessons. It may take me awhile to pick up choreography, but I work my tail off to learn everything I'm given. I've also learned to not take everything so seriously...dance is supposed to be fun and something I do because I enjoy it. I'm not in this for a scholarship or a professional career.


Right now, dance has become my best friend and I fall in love with my tap shoes each week, over and over again. I love my practice hours and things have really started paying off with all that practice. Who knew that making so much noise could be so much fun?


Thank you dance for inspiring me everyday. You've changed my life.


Signing off,



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