A whole nother leva

  When do you become a dancer? Professionally speaking. What makes you ready to be accepted into a  company? Get paid? Let me kill some myths. Its not when you land a triple pirouette, or when you turn 18 or when you graduate from University. That BA in Fine Arts is great to indicate to you that you complete more school and more training and is perfect to write down on another piece of paper to tell others that you completed more school and had more training. Its great for meeting people who could hire you when your professional and to learn more from new people (something you should always do) to get a new view point on movement. BUT in the end you have to take the leap of faith and send, with all your heart, a messgae to the world that you are ready to fight blue mondays and tough tuesday's. You are ready to work harder than you ever have. You will fly around the world searching for months is you have to. ...

YOU MUST know how to push your self when a teacher in the studio becomes no more than a person you pay to teach you exercises and talk information AT you rather than nurish your soul with encouragment to grow.

You must accept that you are going out in the real world WITHOUT all the knowledge but that you possess an understanding of how to always take what is given in the moment graciously and later keep with you what is most important for you while respectfully leaving the information that doesnt fit.

You must be able to be proud of other peoples victories, humble for your own, and not judgmental when you face rejection.

(Depending on where and what) You must be willing to live with a lot less, in a lot less than you are used to.

You must have the courage to ask questions, be curious and hungry

Most important you must surround yourself well because its a tough coming out party with lots of rules that you only learn through trial and error. . And a good support is nice to rub your back when the falls start to hurt real bad.

My name is Jessica Marino. More recently refered to as "Moe". This is my journey....so far.

....oh ps. Im a dork