The Power of the Postitive
I asked my dance students to write a short essay on a favorite instructor, explaining the impact that he or she has had on their lives. The mini-essays included positive and colorful descriptions of many Dellos staff members who have chosen the profession of mentoring aspiring young artists while simultaneously attaining their own University degrees. Carrying a college class load of 17-20 units seems nearly impossible all while juggling the lives of hundreds of students, dozens of weekly private lessons, and finding the time to address a myriad of questions from parents. Based on the many essays received, it’s obvious that my instructors are ‘changing lives’ right under my roof! I’d like to share a few comments on my contemporary instructor, Mr. Marco, from our Central Coast sister studio, Dellos Performing Arts Center (D-PAC), owned by past student, Johnna Vincent-Clark. This morning Mr. Marco candidly shared with me, “I feel blessed and thankful every single day knowing that I get to go to the dance studio to work with passionate, hard-working and eager to learn kids! How can I call it ‘a job’ when I’m so excited about being there and I finish the day with joy in my heart? I’ve learned so much about myself and continue to become a better instructor with every class that I teach!”
Claire Ku, age 10 shared: “The music begins and we start to dance but suddenly it is over and the parents start to applaud. The choreographer smiled with pride, the one and only Mr. Marco. His teaching and choreography touches my heart even though when I took his first class I was full of fear! I continue to be fascinated and astonished with his personal and unique style. Mr. Marco makes me laugh and gives me high-fives, knuckle-punches and funny handshakes! He has a great sense of humor and when I perform for him I feel like I’m in my very own world! Mr. Marco’s class has transformed me into a jolly spirit and I’ve become to think of him as ‘The Dance Magician!”
Rayanne Asuncion, age 11 shared: “A new teacher in a red Kool-Aid shirt is a sub today. His warmup was the most painful I’ve ever experienced but enduring that hour made me feel stronger and more accomplished. Have I been holding myself back?, I ask myself? His choreography brought a sense of freedom and artistry and at that moment I believed that I could do amazing things. At that very moment I felt that I could move mountains, do the unthinkable, the impossible. As I fly across the floor I didn’t want it to end. Mr. Marco walked up to me and said, “Keep up that great work ethic and you will be unstoppable..I expect to see you in all of my classes because the ones that I really care about, I look out for”. Those words forever changed my life and when I looked into his eyes I saw a passion that I had never seen before. Mr. Marco’s few words motivated me that day and I continue to work to my fullest potential every single day in every class, showing the same passion in my eyes that Mr. Marco showed me….”
DELLOS STUDIOS IS OFFERING THEIR POPULAR “SUMMER DANCE & MUSIC CAMPS” AND “TECHNIQUE INTENSIVES” for dancers of all levels, ages 4-18 years. Session one: July 9-12 . Session Two: July 16-19. Save $25 by registering by June 1st! Call Dellos Studios today! The Dellos Dance Connection-Chino Valley (909) 597-9370 The Original Walnut Dellos (909) 594-0228.
