Made to Move

**I want to start by saying that I am so angry at myself for deleting two of the videos that coincide with this blog post. Ugh! Anywho, let’s get started….

I believe that I’ve shared with you before that I am a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City. My little sister is Marily. She is a Hispanic 12-year old who has a lot of the qualities that I possess, the biggest one being that we are both shy. However, she was born and raised in Brooklyn, so she’s no punk! 

On last Saturday, I signed us up for a dance class that was to be given by two choreographers that reside here in the city. Unbeknownst to me, the two of them are big deals. The first is Alicia Graf-Mack. She is the lead dancer for Alvin Ailey. She is tall and lean and definitely has the body of a dancer. She told us that at the age of 3, she’s on video saying that she wanted to be a ballerina. She’s accomplished that dream and more. Now she’s continuing to live out her passion while helping others realize theirs. 

The other dancer is her sister, Daisha Graf. Daisha is a hip-hop dancer who has danced for Rihanna, Beyonce, Santigold, etc. She was recently signed by LA Reid to Epic Records and is now recording her first album. Her management is MBK, who managed Alicia Keys for all those years and who now manage SWV. One thing she said that stuck with me is that she continues to strive to be better than she is. 

So, Marily and I went to this dance studio for this dance class. We overheard people practicing opera pieces and playing piano. They were very talented. Our dance class began with Alicia leading us through some ballet moves (I believe that’s what they were). It wasn’t all easy and some of the moves actually hurt. I can say that it was FUN, however! After about 30 minutes, Daisha led us through some moves that she’d choreographed to her new song, “Reborn.” In my Tamar Braxton voice, “It was FUNNERS!” The littles and bigs all had fun doing these moves. Take a look at the video below of Daisha doing the moves. You can also see a big brother and a little who looks more than happy to be participating. 

During lunch, the sisters allowed questions from us about careers in the arts. The children enjoyed pizza and learned about this whole new world at the same time. What captured me the most was what took place after lunch. Everyone received a copy of the poem, “Our Deepest Fear” by Marianne Williamson. I remember this poem from the movie, Coach Carter. Alicia informed us that Nelson Mandela had apparently used it in one of his speeches. Awesome. We were instructed to stand in a circle and each of us were to step in the circle and proudly, authoritatively read one line of the poem. Some of the littles chose to read with their bigs (how cute?). We went around the circle completely, reading the poem twice. (This was when this poem resonated with me. More to come in my next post. Stay tuned.)

Alicia then instructed us that we do the same thing again, except this time she was going to dance to the lyrics. No, we weren’t singing the lyrics, nor rapping them. We were merely speaking them. HER DANCE WAS MOER THAN AMAZING! I can’t put into words her movement, but it was flawless! I actually took video, but accidentally deleted it! FML!  After we went around the circle once again, she then instructed that we would be tapped and have to come into the circle and move to the lines of the poem. Daisha started this time along with one of the little sisters that was clinging to her. I took video of that, too. IT was too cute. Again, I accidentally deleted it. L At one point the little boy next to me was chosen to come into the circle. He didn’t want to, but his big brother nudged him in and he did it. The big brother was then tapped and he followed suit. Lovely. 

I had a great time. When I initially signed us up, I thought it would just be fun to do a few moves together. I had no idea that I would walk away as inspired as I did. Actually, I think I enjoyed myself more than Marily did. Don’t get me wrong, she enjoyed herself; she was just a little too shy for that setting. 

Daisha and Alicia have started a company named D(n)A Arts Collective where they are giving back to others, inspiring them to go after their dreams. I am currently signed up to attend a vision board party this upcoming weekend. Way to keep the inspiration flowing!