Week 4

    This week was pretty productive, we got a lot of work in. When we were done with our work in classes we would go out into the hall and practice. We kept adding to the combination until literally 5 mins before we had to present. When I presented, I believe I did pretty well. Having my slide show and background music (classical music) to add effect was great. Morgan was with my during the presentation and danced with me so I wasn't by mysef and I was pretty greatful because I forgot the last part of my combo.
   All in all, I think I did pretty well with learning all the stuff I learned and I think if I did this more often I would be pretty good, it's just the technical stuff is kind of hard. If I have to do genius hour I'm 99% I'm going to just pick up on this and continue. But for the time being I'm going to continue to stretch and practice what I know and if me and Morgan aren't busy we are going learn a tad bit more here and there.
   Also I want to thank Morgan (she's fixing my arms in the picture) for being a wonderful teacher and for helping me, and putting up with me for the past 5 weeks- constantly correcting me and fixing my arms. Wouldn't of been able to do my project without her!

Week 3

   This week was kinda a slow one. I didn't get to work with Morgan with my dances, so I just practiced at home and did a little bit of research. I have been stretching quite a ton so I wouldn't be as sore, and improving my flexibility. I still have been stretching my feet and I can feel a difference, but not some much see a difference. I researched a lot about pointe shoes, and they different types and training for it, and found out a lot.
    There are about 6 types of pointe shoes, and depending on your foot type, you get a certain type of shoe. I also found that it takes years and years of training to even think about pointe, because you need to build certain muscles to support you while you're on your toes. The earlier you start, the earlier you can start working on pointe. But that is only for ballet, jazz, tap, and all the other type of dances aren't as strict. So next week I should be learning more to the little dance I'm going to preform and I will update you on it. See you next week!

Week 2

This week Morgan and I went over week one. And I have to say, I've gotten a tad better. Over the last week I've been practicing my arm positions because that is the one I'm having most difficulty in. After we were done reviewing, Morgan taught me how some stretching to develop a dancers arch. Let me tell you, they hurt! My foot kept cramping and my feel are extremely sore but, it is what it takes. And I'm going to continue to do them and I'll update you next week.

Week 1

The first week of Genius Hour was pretty interesting. Morgan and I got together after school and we learned the positions of ballet. I was pretty good when it came to the feet, but my arms were constently out of place. But finally I somewhat got it.  We went over that a few times and then we called it a day. After I got home, I practiced a bit more on the positions, and by the next morning I was soooo sore. Since that day I've been stretching like crazy and going over what she teaches me and I feel like I'm getting more, and more sore every day. I'll update you on week two next week!

Introduction

     Hi, my name is Deja, and I'm a cellist. For the past 5 years, I've been to five Solo & Ensemble competitions, two All-Region competitions and 2 years of orchestra summer camp. I even spent this spring break on a bus touring from Dallas to New York, performing along the way. While music is my passion, dance is something I've always dreamed of doing.

     Ever since I was little,  just watching the professional dancers in movies and TV shows made me want to perform on a stage right next to them. Of course I also wanted to be a musician, but something in me wouldn't let go of the feeling of wanting to dance. Since I go to a fine arts school, I am exposed to a lot of dancing, and that made me want to learn even more. And when my English teacher gave my class a project of researching and learning a subject that really peaks our interest, I knew I wanted to choose dance as my subject. I decided to partner with a dancer named Morgan from my school whose been dancing since the age of 3. Since she is required to do the same project, we decided to learn from each other. She is going to teach me the basics of dance, while and I'm going to teach her the basics of cello.