Why Dance?

By Mary Yamaguchi, Makaha:

It is a profound question... here on Oahu as well as on mainland where I use to live. Why do I dance? It is like asking, "Why do I breathe? Why do I laugh? Why do I cry?" It is so natural, so intricately connected to every aspect of my life for as long as I can remember. Whether I was floating around the house in my mother's wilted tutu as a young girl or regarding my sister with great reverence as she donned her leotards and tights for ballet class, dance has always been there.

"You not only have the power , but the power to control

your thoughts and direct them."

"Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes" by Perry Como

But Dancing and Performing are different things. Dancing is just that, expressing your feelings  through movement to music. For everyone, it may be for your lifetime. Performing is an exchange, it is many layers and many complexities that can be exquisitely rewarding and challenging.

"Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho

Performing a dance is as personal as any art form could possibly be. You, yourself are the instrument. Your body is the voice and you have to be willing to give yourself completely to finding the right voice for every role.  And it can be very satisfying.

"Heart Aching Blues" by Willie K

This commitment starts very early. In my own life it was an easy sacrifice of my time because I loved it. But, as often happens, there does come a time when one struggles, when one wonders if the right path has been chosen, when excitement about what is to come is sometimes matched with anxiety.  But this is not exclusive to dancers. This is a part of discovering and defining yourself.

"Morning Dew" by Melveen Leed

In my own life, I found that these periods of struggle serve a purpose. They strengthen your character and help develop a deeper understanding of yourself, even if in retrospect, you realize you made mistakes. In the end every decision, every conflict and every accomplishment becomes part of what you bring to the stage,  if you are willing.

But the rewards are immeasurable. Not only the gratification of arriving to create something of profound
beauty and then developing freedom to express it fully, openly and generously, but the entire journey, the people who come and go, the music, your partners, the audience, the theaters, this all becomes your life.   ~  Mary

"Dreams may not be what you leave behind in the morning.

They can be the stuff that fills your every moment."