#kenzinthecity

Soooo everyone knows I love dance!! I also kinda like teaching…I don’t want to like teaching because it makes me nervous but it’s in my blood.  Do you know that my grandfather was a teacher! A very good teacher! He LOVEDHistory. Loved reading and loved teaching.  My aunt was a teacher and my mom has always been in the school working with students as a career liaison.  I think I’m suppose to do something with education and dance and such.

I’m super down for that idea except I ALWAYSthink I’m going to mess up royally! Even though I do have experience and am not the worst dancer and absolutely love sharing my passion for dance with people! I just get soooo nervous!  I have horrible anxiety when it comes to teaching at the beginning! Usually after I’m established and feel comfortable I’m fine but the first couple classes (especially the first) almost kill me! 

I really do like being a “teaching artist” so I’ve decided I would like more training, schooling, brain informing so that I’m not as questioning of myself! That’s why yesterday I was at a dance teacher training in Brooklyn! The organization is Dancewave and it’s wonderful! Making sure students of all backgrounds get exposed to and experience dance!  It’s really what I love to do! I learned soooo much!!! About the New York education standards and classroom management techniques and meet such amazing educators! I want to continue to learn stuff! 

I also think I’m going into Dance Movement Therapy and Dance Education as my prospect of going to NYU increase…Grad school is scary but it might seriously be time

Soooo I had an amazing time at Fall for Dance with Katie! It’s really awesome that I was able to see such amazing talent living in New York City!! Stuff like this is just an option! Also teaching little babies. I taught 3 to 5 year olds yesterday! Creative Dance at the Hudson guild community center! I’ll post pics soon! Now I am on my way to dance teaching training at Dacewave!! Apparently it’s something I enjoy doing so why not do it better!!

Week 4 was quick! I was also determined to have a better/calm/organized week! I woke up early and made breakfast and adulted!! I pounded more pavement for jobs! I went to another dance class and got an interview at a fundraising job that pays money! Went to an adorable jazz bar type place and heard a cool band! Went to Liberty and Ellis Island!! 

 much much better week. Pics all below:

Was awesome!! I finally got to go dancing x2!!
I work everyday now so when I get home I enjoy beer and video games! It’s my zen! Friday I got home and chilled while Yuchen (the best boyfriend ever) made us delicious dumplings!! I love his food sooo much and this was bomb!
He went back to reading and I got dolled up to go dancing at Silvana’s- the awesome jazz bar right by our home! The dj that night was fantastic! We danced together like no one was watching ❤️ except everyone was watching and we killed it one girl even tried to mess up my groove by getting all in my space causing me to get whiplash [continued to slay the dance floor]
It wasn’t even a late night but a great one Pics below

Saturday was cool!! I taught dance to babies at a community center event! We did Bruno Mars 24K magic and of course Juju on that beat because that’s all they ever want! If you don’t know what it is, you’re old like me, look it up It was a real real fun Time! I enjoy teaching kids, I guess.
My Saturday night was not for children lol. Kate and I went to XL gay club where there were sexy gogo boys dicks out The dancing was dope and yes there were penis out and abound and butt cleavage that we appreciated. I miss my Tracks for getting down but it was very fun hanging out with Kate!

Sooo I’m pretty happy with my job! The kids are great and I’m excited to put everything into this and have fun.
Since it’s my job to teach these students and create dances & shows, I guess I’m adulting… It feels weird that I have to adult everyday!!
I freakin LOVE routine but it scares me and I HATE routine!! Routine usually equals adult 9-5 status But maybe this is fun and I’m suppose to be doing it!?

I’m lesson planning right now ‍♀️ also pondering my entire future as a “dance educator” !!!

Sooo the job hunt is working out!! Citibabes, the adorable learning center for toddlers, has asked me to shadow two of their movement teachers on Thursday! I’m super excited because apparently I love babies! Like actual babies! 3-18 months and preschool  They are too cute!!! I really want to be a part of their company because I think it’s amazing getting children exposed to movement expression at such an early age. And did I mention that they are adorable!

I also got a call from a middle school in the Bronx for an after school dance teacher position!! My dance education resume is really suiting me well.  That interview is tomorrow after I teach the babies at Hudson Guild. I had an interview with a luxury hotel for an Administrative assistant position last night but I really don’t think its for me, even if they do call me back (which I don’t think they will/I don’t really fit the vibe of the place lol I think people see a different person when they read Mackenzi from Colorado).

I finally made it to my Step Instructor interview in Brooklyn!  Thursday, the original date of the interview, I kinda got completely lost and ending up on the other side of the borough…They were nice enough to reschedule it for Monday so yay! Also yay…I got the job!!!  I am officially a Step Dance Instructor for SASF (Sport and Arts in School Foundation) in Brooklyn!  It is a part time after school position so I am still continuing to interview and layer on the jobs/money/experience/money.

I am living and working New York City and will soon be able to afford dance classes again!!!

OMG!!! Last night’s class was just EVERYTHING!!! 

I went to a workshop taught by Lauryn Hill’s choreographer! She was just on Broadway in FELA! The musical about the Nigerian singer that Jay Z and Jada Pinkett Smith produced!! Her name is Shakira and she is AH-MAZING!  Sooo talented and brown and an inspiration! And guess what…She knows me!!!

What had happened was, I saw the workshop online and all of her credentials.  I thought, I’m poor and it’s $16 BUT I must experience this and learn from this amazing person.  I went on down to Pearl studios and just danced! I didn’t feel like being nervous or comparing myself to anyone else in the room (the way I do constantly at Broadway Dance Center). I just DANCED!  And in my free dancing I was called out!! You know how good it feels to be called out, by any teacher let alone a freakin star, and complimented on your moves: actual quotes “yass shoulders” (I live for my shoulders shimmies) “yass body!!” (I was rocking a sports bra) Ahhhhh! Soooo awesome! 

Then after class I went to praise her and thank her for the wonderful class. I tell her I’m from Colorado and she remembers my voice and face and the fact that I’m from Colorado!! She knew she met me before at Turbo’s Dancehall Soca class at Mark Morris Studio from week 2! She remembered me!!!!  She said the Universe directed me here to take herclass!! 

She also connected me with Afrobeats NYC and I am too excited to learn and take class from beautiful Melaninated women of the Diaspora!  Okay New York, come thru!

Sooo I have been trying to stay positive and stay on my grind! I realize I’ve had cancer and all but I have never really had to “grind” like working and paying bills…I have led a wonderfully comfy life. Thanks Mom! But that’s over now!!!

I have really really been hustling! Handing out resumes and applying for literally all jobs! Still nothing   I was hardcore second guessing (not full blown regretting) my decision to drop everything and move to the Big Apple.  It’s hard out here!! I was doing awesome things at home and I miss it! I was a STAR in Denver  I ain’t nothin’ here  But guess who is getting interviews now!!!

I taught my dance class to babies yesterday at Hudson Guild. 3rd week and I absolutely love the kids! As I am leaving for the subway I get a call for an interview at a school in Brooklyn for a step dance teacher!! I’m doing that this morning   When I got home yesterday, I did an online interview with an Artificial Intelligence company. My inbox is literally flooded with Ziprecruiter, Indeed, LinkedIn, etc. emails. Soooo I’m wading through all of those when I see an email from Dancewave asking me if I’m interested in teaching a class with them! I learned about Dancewave before I even moved to the city and really really wanted to be a part of it! That was the teacher training I went to the other week! EEEEE Excited! THENI get a call from a hotel to be a front desk receptionist and come in for an interview! That’s not even the interview on Friday! The interview on Friday is for Citibabes-a toddler center in SoHo for kids to dance and move and be free!!!

I am soooo excited and happy with surge of opportunities! Apparently all my grindin’ is paying off!