Friday, March 26, 2021

My La Duca-versarry. 15 Years.

15 years ago this year, Mr. La Duca fitted me for my very first pairs. I needed character heels and taps for my first Rockette Summer Intensive and wanted the real deal (what the Rockettes wear). Up until that point, I had only practiced in some good old fashioned jazz shoes. La Duca rolled out the carpet and made me feel like a STAR. La Duca shoes have been worn in movies, musicals, tours, and more. I couldn't wait to start practicing in them. This moment truly kicked off my career. I started to feel like anything was possible in this crazy dance world.

For 15 years, they have helped me to feel my very best both onstage and off. They are made in Italy and last a long time. I have had contracts where the shoes kept breaking and they finally invested in some La Ducs for us. They feel even better as they are broken in. Who doesn't love when their dance shoe is molded to their foot and has that fierce point? Not to mention, they make your feet and legs look SEXY. 

La Duca has been there for me from summer intensives to auditions and performances. I have booked dream jobs in these shoes. What you wear on your feet can make or break your performance and even career. I feel safe, supported, and confident in my La Ducas. I think my favorite pair so far were the red can-can boots for Merry Widow. Below you will find some of the highlights of my dance life while wearing my La Ducas. My dream is to continue performing in them and to one day own a custom pair.

Many years ago at the La Duca store.

During one of my 8 years at RSI, we got to perform on the Radio City Stage!

Made it to the end of the Rox audition this day. 

My basement practice space growing up.

Cruise life. Standing still on a moving ship is harder than dancing on one!

Waiting to rehearse at Lyric Opera.

I loved this costume for Merry Widow at Lyric Opera.


Backstage before my favorite number in Merry Widow.

With my fellow can-can ladies.

A fun contract at Busch Gardens with friends.


Pre-rehearsal selfie at The Met Opera. Still breaking my shoes in.

Performing with Tryon Entertainment in The Bahamas.

Hometown.

Being a showgirl at Theatrezone Naples.

Luminaire Foto



Sunday, March 21, 2021

Commercial Shoot.

I shot for Publix with an awesome group the other night. Being around people who understand your life and have mutual friends and similar past jobs is just so much fun. It was an overnight shoot and I was there from 7pm until 6am. We had to learn a combo off of a video the day before. My year of learning from a computer screen paid off haha. It felt crazy to be back in the best way.  

The last time I performed was over a year ago. We were kicking our legs at 3am and I wasn’t even tired, because I was just so freaking happy to be there. Masks were worn the entire time we filmed and we did our best to distance. It was a little shocking that we were dancing around a fully stocked grocery store when a year ago the shelves were empty and the toilet paper hunt was real. We have come so far. Hopefully this is a sign of what’s to come. Let’s keep it up and get back to what we love. 


Monday, March 8, 2021

One Year.

I have been doing more to get in shape lately, especially with a wedding later in the year. I have fallen in love with barre classes again, but I can't help but miss the feeling of a hard day of dancing. I miss the post audition smoothies or banana pudding. I miss the feeling of being literally on top of the world after making it to the end of a Rockette audition. The feeling that your dreams are within reach. I haven’t felt that in so long. I can’t wait to audition again. I don’t care how old we are or the lost time or the changes in our lives. If we love it, we have to find a way back after this. If there is an after. My AGMA card arrived in the mail today. There is nowhere to use it. 

I danced for 3 hours today. I wore a leotard, black tights, and La Ducas and felt like me again. On International Women’s Day, surrounded by strong women on Zoom, in class, at home, and in the world, I felt good again. Even if only for a day. Even if it doesn’t mean I’m performing yet for an audience or a paycheck. I was home. I am most me when I’m in my element, with people who get me and love what I love. It’s not a “normal” job or life and that is what I like about it. A dance friend pointed out during class that we have been dancing apart for almost a year. A YEAR. A year of our dance lives lost. 

I miss feeling like I truly belong somewhere. Dance is my safe place. I hope that I can create a life filled with dance and art here and also travel a little to pursue my dreams soon. I think we’ve all pivoted a bit. It's important to stick together and uplift each other. I miss my encouraging, like minded friends. I will get to see many of them later in the year. Something to look forward to. 

I want that high from dancing in a packed, iconic NY studio and then stepping outside with friends into a city of endless possibilities. Life never felt "normal" in New York. And that was part of its charm. I am finding that St. Pete has an arts and culture scene more so than other parts of Florida. I can't wait to become involved in the community. I just haven't found my place yet and it's hard to do so with a global pandemic in a world full of messed up values.