Today was a milestone. Piper has officially finished her last dance convention and competition. Her career (and trust me, it has been one) as a competitive dancer is done. We are left with only one last recital to go.
Dance conventions and competitions have been pretty all-consuming on our weekends throughout Piper’s life. She started competing in first grade, so when you talk to her about it – she doesn’t remember her life before being on stage.
There have been definite pros and cons over time. But the “pros” have outweighed the “cons”. Our lives have been planned around competition weekends and where nationals will be held. We have sacrificed financially and in every other way imaginable through the years.
In the 12 years of competition dance, we have been in three studios. Each of them was great for what Piper needed for training at the time! We made lifelong friends at each one and learned so many lessons along the way that we have carried with us and have guided the path.
In total, Piper has competed in 55 group dances and had 14 solos. To think about that blows my mind and as I look at photos, I can vividly see each costume and hear the music that goes with it. I guess when you rehearse it for that long and see it performed so many times, it just stays with you.
There have been lots of highlights along the way: titles and trophies and scholarships. They all mean something special. I would guess that the biggest highlights for Piper would be winning Starquest Solo Nationals when she was 11 and making the Tremaine Performance Company when she was 12. She remained a TPC member for 5 seasons. The travel and friends and coaching that she experienced with Tremaine are absolutely second to none. That opportunity changed her life as a dancer and as a person. It was incredible.
The chance to travel with Piper as she competed and trained and assisted afforded us time together that is priceless. We have crisscrossed this country by plane, train, and automobile. We have laughed and cried and made memories that will last us a lifetime. I am so grateful to have worked for companies that afforded me the time off to do these things.
I would be remiss if I didn’t close by saying a special thank you to Piper’s current studio owner/director Sheila Milner. She has fought for, shown up, and challenged Piper to be her best self for years. She concerns herself with what she does in the dance studio and on the stage, but also what she does off the stage as well. She’s followed with her grades, her drum corps tour, and her life. She is a mentor and a friend to us both.
To close out the last convention, Sheila and the other DanceZone company members celebrated the seniors. Posters and gift baskets and cards were shared with each of these beautiful dancers who are getting ready to become DanceZone Alumni. These “lasts” are so sentimental and never lost on Piper.
Closing the curtain on this chapter of life for myself and for Piper is so bittersweet. I can honestly say that I will miss it. I will warn you now that I’ll be the mom at The Show (recital) with an entire box of Kleenex as I see my beautiful girl dance her way into the next chapter … gracefully and with a smile – just like always.
