Bragging Session

Every once in awhile I have to do it.
I just can't help myself. I try not to. But the mother in me can't be stopped.
Every once in awhile I just have to brag on a child of mine.

Today is every once in awhile. 

This is Kid One. She coaches ballroom. And she is FIERCE! 

(Photo courtesy of Kid Middle)

On a recent trip I got to watch Kid One run a rehearsal for her High School Ballroom Team in preparation for their Spring Concert.

And let's just stop right here for a moment and dissect that last sentence...

Run a rehearsal
High School
Ballroom

Team

Preparation

Concert

Is there anything about the combination of these words that is not intimidating? I didn't think so! 

But at the rehearsal I watched this sentence in action and was amazed at the things that Kid One can do!
And I decided to share. So you can be amazed, too. : )

I'll start with picture teasers. Because everything is more fun with pictures!

Here is a rehearsal picture. I took it.

Here is a concert picture. I did not take it.

Okay. Now is a short list of what Kid One does to put together a 1-hour, 21 dance Ballroom Concert. Organized numerically, not topically. Or chronologically. I have no explanation as to why this worked better for me. 

Design, print, and cut 500 tickets.

Design and print 350 programs.

Burn 45 performance DVDs.

Teach 24 mostly willing and slightly experienced teenagers everything from the Cha Cha to the Quickstep.

Set lights for 21 dance numbers.

Choose music for 17 dance numbers.

Costume for 17 dance numbers. (And by "costume" I mean everything from sewing skirts for the team to choosing and purchasing clothing and accessories. On a teacher's budget.)

Choreograph 15.5 dance numbers for mostly willing, almost willing, inexperienced, and slightly experienced teenagers. Then teach said choreography to said teenagers.

Cut and edit music for 15 dance numbers.

Teach 14 almost willing and rather inexperienced teenagers the basics of social dance.

Invite 4 guest dance numbers to perform to add variety (and help boost ticket sales - marketing!).

Design 2 separate posters for display.

Video record 2 separate performances.

And...keep 1 husband happy throughout the process!
(Or maybe it's have 1 husband keeping Kid One happy throughout the process...!)

I know. Doesn't it just make your head want to spin around until it spins clean off?

This doesn't even take into account all the hours Kid One puts into running extra rehearsals. And being in charge of the Dance Department at the High School. And writing tickets to students parked in the teacher parking lot.

(Did I mention she is only 24? Yeah... I have no idea what I was doing at 24. It certainly wasn't writing tickets to students parked in the teacher parking lot.) 

Anyway, now I have more pics to share. Yay! More pictures! 

Here are some photos from the rehearsal I visited. I took them.

Kid One teaching the boys about...lines. And holds.

Kid One teaching the girls about....lines. It's very important. See them experimenting with head position?

My kicks. I have no idea how they made it into this post. 

Working it out together!

: ) 

No caption here. Just a smile. 

Because this makes me smile. 

: )

The girls. Looking all fierce and stuff. Like Kid One. She's a good teacher.

And here are some photos from the concert! A Mom took them. With a lens I envy.

Recognize these fierce girls? 

Rockin' the Tango in skirts Kid One made. 

She gets her sewing genes from her mother....in-law. 

The Lindy. In leos she designed.

Rumba Doble. In dresses she altered by cutting a sleeve here and adding a ruffle there.

A close-up of above dress. And a really cool pose.

A shot from the opener.

I have no idea what this is from. But I like the kid at the front so it stays.

Ta-Da! 

Final pose of the concert. 

Impressive, isn't it? And all because of Kid One! 

Phew! After all her work I need a nap. 

Bragging session over.

PS. Did I mention that Kid One also puts together a Winter Concert and takes her team to at least two competitions each year?

Okay, bragging session really over...

: )