Hey there Gorgeous,
I wanted to share a little story with you. When I was a young, starving dancer in NYC, I had big dreams of dancing for Alvin Ailey—one of the few companies back then that had dancers who looked like me. But, reality hit, and teaching fitness gave me more security, so I set that dream aside, figuring, “I’ll never get noticed anyway, and a girl’s gotta eat.”
Then something wild happened. After teaching a class at New York Health & Racquet Club, a student came up and asked if I was a dancer. I said, “Yes.” She replied, “Yeah, I can tell. You look and move like an Ailey dancer. Do you take classes there?” I was floored and so flattered! I told her I had, and that I’d even auditioned twice for Ailey 2. She smiled and said, “I know an Ailey dancer when I see one.” I was on cloud nine for two weeks after that!
But it didn’t stop there. Two more times while teaching, people told me I taught like someone from Ailey and asked if I’d ever thought of teaching there. I couldn’t believe it. That dream I had put away just kept popping up.
Fast forward a few years, I saw an ad in the Village Voice that Ailey was looking for instructors for their new Extension program. I thought, why not? Nothing will probably come of it, but what the hell. I applied, got an audition, and within a week… I got the gig! Even better, a few months in, some of the Ailey 2 dancers came to my class. Full circle moment, right?! I ended up teaching there from 2005 to 2013.
I’m telling you this because sometimes others see something in you before you even see it in yourself. It’s a hint from the Universe, reminding you of your potential.
And now, as the founder of the SharQui Virtual Studio and Instructor Academy, I see that same beautiful spark in all of you too. Whether it’s your energy, smile, execution or consistency, I see it – even virtually. I’ve had the honor of watching so many passionate dancers over the years grow from students into instructors, and it fills my heart every time.
So, if you’ve been waiting for a sign, maybe this is it. Whether you’re ready to explore your love for dance more deeply with our Virtual Studio, or you feel called to lead and inspire through our Instructor Academy, I’m here to walk alongside you.
Trust in the signs my friends – they’ll lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.
With open arms,
Oreet