How I found dance again. Part 2.

It's me, Meagan! If you missed the first part of this story, click here.

Part 2:

I started teaching at my Aunt Julies studio right away. By the way, her dance studio is called Julie Moffit school of Ballet. I had to relearn how to tap dance, but ballet and jazz came back very easy.

I would like to say that I was a favorite teacher among my students who ranged from ages 6-8 years old. Yes they were very cute, but also very hyper. So I always tried to make class fun. As teachers, we got to pick the theme for each classes recital piece. I picked Halloween for my little tap dancers :) I included lots of screaming, stomping, and really cute choreography.

The parents always told me how much their little girl loved having me for a teacher. I was very flattered. This continued on for a few years until I overheard one of the parents talking about a drill team coaching position at St. Joseph Catholic High School. This was right up my alley! I was a former Roy High drill team dancer and I considered myself to be a good teacher.

I applied the next day, and I got the job!

Let me tell you, teenagers are a whole different ball park. They were so concerned about status, looks, posessions....please!!! But they were beautiful, intelligent, and really talented.

As their coach, I signed them up for state wide competitions (which they had never participated in). They did VERY well and they ended up with a second place state title. This was so awesome!!!

Life was dandy as a part time coach/dance teacher until the day my husband (at the time) decided to take me to Las Vegas for our four year anniversary. That's when life changed forever.

To be continued :)

Thanks for reading all about the French Kiss journey!!!

Teacher of the month!

This month, we are recognizing Mckell Barnett.  I still remember the day Mckell started her journey at French Kiss Fitness.  She came in with her roomate at the time named Britney.  At first, I couldn't tell the two apart.  They both wore the same outfits to class and they had similar hair styles :)  As the month's went on, they went in two different directions.  Mckell gravitated towards the aerial silk classes and Britney did very well at the pole.  Both of them kept a blog that talked about their class experience, and it was quite a great read!

Mckell and Britney are now both instructors at the studio.  Here is Mckell's story:

"I'm a left-brained type soul. Logic, numbers, math, science... I never wanted do creative artsy things like all the other girls. Years ago I accepted that it just was not me and embraced my rigid, logical demeanor. This was a truth I accepted until I encountered something that was unlike anything I had ever known: aerial. Little did I know, I was a late bloomer in the creative arts world. Two years ago I stumbled on the aerial arts and it brought out something in me I had never experienced before. Something about being up in the air made me dance and express myself in ways I never thought possible.


During my first year of training I focused on taking as many classes and workshops in as many places as I could. I also took the opportunity to perform whenever I could. The process of creating routines and performing them was an entirely new experience! After my first year of learning, I also started teaching Level 1 and Level 2 silks. Teaching helped me bring others into my invigorating aerial addiction :) The more I learn, the more I realize there is to master. I look forward to all the years ahead of me to enjoy this new creative art that has balanced me for the better."

Get the gear!

New dance gear coming this week!

The rhinestone dance baseball cap is available in white and black.

$19.99

Rhinestone dance tank available in white and fuscha pink.

$19.99

Also, the Syracuse location will have some fun Marilyn Monroe inspired T-shirts.  Great for hip hop, daily wear, or your next pin up girl photo shoot!

$19.99 (not available at Ogden)

 

How I found dance again.

It seems like just yesterday I was visiting my Aunt Julie.  Every year, my Mom would take her a birthday present on her birthday, and this year, she invited me to come along.  Julie was working at her dance studio that day.  So we barged in on one of her classes and sang her happy birthday.   She wanted us to stick around until after her class was over so we could visit for a while longer.  As my Mom and I were waiting around, I watched the young children twirl around in their pink ballet shoes.  The music was beautiful, the mirrors were super tall, and then it happened.  "5 6 7 8"....

Bam, it hit me like a ton of bricks and I started crying.  I hadn't heard "5 6 7 8" since my last day on my high school drill team which was four years earlier.  Why did I suddenly stop dancing after high school?  I couldn't answer that.  I got married very young at age 19, a baby followed two years later.  But was that really an excuse to stop dancing?  It was my passion!

So there I am trying to keep the tears from rolling down my face when my aunt walks out of her class.  "Hey Meagan!  It's been a while.  What are you up...  what's wrong sweetie?"  She saw my tears.  Damn it!  So I explained that the atmosphere of dance brought back a flood of memories and I was sad that I didn't dance anymore.  There really was nothing she could do about it.  I was in my early 20's now and she only offered children's classes.  It was too late for me.  I had taken ballet,tap, and jazz at her school as a teenager.  She knew my abilities and I could see on her face that she felt my pain.  Even though she was an adult, she was a dance studio owner, so she could dance whenever she wanted.  What about those of us who didn't own studio's? 

She came up with the idea before I did.  "Meg.  Would you like to teach dance here?"  I looked up at her and looked her right in the eye.  "Yes", I said.  I burst into tears and so did my Mom.  My Mom knew how important dance was to me.  She stood up and hugged my aunt Julie and said, "thank you". 


The evolution of French Kiss Fitness was a long personal journey for me.  I think I will share a little each week so I don't overwhelm our readers with 20 pages of "blah blah blah" :)

Thanks for reading! 
To be continued...

-Meagan, owner

So you think you can dance pole dancer!

Here at the studio, we are rooting for Eliana Girard.  She is one of the best dancers to try out for this seasons show.  Plus, she is a very talented pole dancer and aerialist!  Watch the clip below if you don't believe me :)



Vote for Eliana!!!

Syracuse Schedule!

The new Syracuse schedule will be posted on the evening of Monday, May 14th.  I can tell you that it is a very large schedule.  It includes:

Day AND Evening classes
Saturday and Sunday classes
Over a dozen pole classes
2 belly dancing classes
Lyrical Jazz
Hip Hop
3 Zumba classes
2 Black light classes (exotic dance)
8 aerial silks classes
And lots more...

Don't hesitate to get that membership, this schedule will have something for everyone!  Don't forget to check back tomorrow to see the actual schedule.

Happy dancing!

The long wait...

The new Syracuse location is so close to the finish line, but several obsticals stand in the way...mainly construction delays.  The new opening date is May 18th.  I promise you that this is something I am working out on a daily basis.  There is nobody more excited than me when it comes to this new studio.  It will be one of the finest studio's in the world. 

I guess the saying is true, "Good things come to those who wait".  Thank you for your patience and I look forward to seeing you at the grand opening party!