Chains Shall He Break

We've been busy this month, celebrating Christmas by sharing the gift of dance! Company member Katie Dearman recounts some of her favorite moments and the special gifts she received during our recent performances across Houston.

When I started with Ad Deum a few months ago, I knew that outreach was an important component of the company’s regular season. As a faith-based organization, of course “serving others” would be part of what I signed up for. Perhaps I assumed that “outreach” would look like it does for many other organizations: a hospital visit squeezed in here or a homeless shelter visit added on there. It would be another thing on the checklist: we toured to these places, we performed in these festivals, and oh yeah, we did that outreach thing, too.

But oh, how wrong I was and how much the Lord had to teach me! In the past few weeks alone, God has shown me that I can dance beautifully and serve others at the same time. I can sweat at the barre and intercede for cancer patients all in one day. My roles as professional dancer and missionary do not—and should not—fit into separate compartments. It is who I am, who God has called me to be… and Ad Deum is the place where He has brought me to live out that beautiful calling.

Annual picture by the Christmas tree after performing at M.D. Anderson

During the few weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Ad Deum performed at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University Baptist Church, Star of Hope Transitional Living Center, Belmont Village Senior Living, and M.D. Anderson Rotary House International (a hotel for out-of-town patients and families). I adored dancing pieces like “Oh Holy Night” and “What Child is This?” in each of these unique locations. The first and the last, however, were particularly meaningful to me.

Nine years ago, I lost my dad to melanoma cancer. He was treated at M.D. Anderson, the very best place he could have been, but cancer took over his body and stole his life. This devastating loss led me to the Lord at age 14 and I committed my life to following and serving Him.

In college, I dove head first into the fight against cancer by participating in Relay for Life and raising money for the American Cancer Society. In fact, I raised over $100,000 during my four years in college. This huge accomplishment brought deep healing in my grieving process and a great sense of purpose as I worked in a very practical way to fight against cancer.

Since graduating in May of 2015, however, I haven’t participated in Relay for Life or done any fundraising. I’ve felt an emptiness, a weight of guilt… How am I honoring my dad’s life? What am I doing to fight back against this disease that took him from me? Am I wasting my talents and energy? In these moments of guilt and lack of direction, I felt like cancer was winning all over again. But the Lord, in His mercy, invaded those lies and redirected my heart, and He did so through Ad Deum.

I am so thankful for the financial generosity of others who joined alongside me in the battle against cancer, and I will continue raising money for research for a cure. But God is showing me another way that I can fight, a way to pray and comfort, a way to usher in physical and spiritual healing… through my art.

When I moved and swayed and swirled and worshiped in the lobby of M.D. Anderson Rotary House in front of cancer patients and their families—people walking through exactly what I walked through nine years ago—the Lord was at work. As I danced to the words, “Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease,” I felt the Holy Spirit fiercely battling against the chains of cancer and the oppression of fear and grief.

When we do these outreach performances, our mission is so much more than delivering a little Christmas cheer through our pretty dresses and bright smiles. Yes, that is so important. But we are partnering with God in His ministry of reconciliation, of binding up the broken hearted and setting the captives free. Dance has the power to do these things because art ignited by the Holy Spirit is transformative. It changes hearts and lives.

So as I reflect upon our marathon of outreach performances, I am thanking God that intercession and healing are an integral part of His purposes for Ad Deum. We don’t perform as dancers sometimes and as missionaries other times. Whether at the Wortham Center in the heart of Houston’s Theater District or in a hospital, God will work in mighty ways through our dancing when we submit it to Him.

Dancing to “Oh Holy Night” can truly break the chains of cancer when God wills it, for He is God, and all things are possible through Him. Amen.

~ Katie

Photo Credit: Sarah Lee Roes

Merry Christmas! Be sure to keep following us on Facebook and Instagram as we dance our way into the New Year!

First Lessons from My First Season: For His Glory

In his first season with Ad Deum and holding down the fort as the only male dancer in the main company, we asked Seth to share about his experiences so far this season. This is what he had to say:

Photo Credit: Sarah Lee Roes

Ad Deum is first and foremost a community. Joining the company this year, I was aware of this reality, but experiencing it is a whole different matter. It really is an honor to be a part of a people who have no agenda, but to unify in the Father's presence and connect to His heart for the sole purpose of giving ourselves as vessels for His glory. I'm so grateful for these brothers and sisters in Christ who passionately seek the kingdom of heaven and simply the effect they hold in my life.

Being the only man, as well as the youngest member in the first company, has its challenges as I am still trying to grasp my role in the community. But three months into the season, I already have a testimony of God's faithfulness and kindness in my life.

Through the company repertoire, the Lord, in His kindness, has taken me deeper into His thoughts and feelings. First Corinthians 2:16 says, "For who has known or understood the mind of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ and do hold the thoughts, feelings, and purposes of His heart." I sense Jesus' feelings as I intercede through the movement. I sense His zealous love for us as he fervently desires to be with us, His inheritance. I sense His passionate anger at the darkness upon this world and how He longs to break through with His truth and light. I truly am beginning to understand how He sustains us through every word and expression of His heart.



Another thing that the Father has been teaching me through this semester is that as artists for the Lord, we don't need to apologize for the platforms we are given. Not that we are given any right to boast, for it's by grace alone we are even given the strength to stand. But we should step into these opportunities with confidence in the Lord's love and proclaim His truth in kindness. I think of the parable about the servant who took the talent given to him and buried it. Who are we to hoard the gifts the Lord has given us? I've decided to step into the purpose the Lord has given me and that is to live for the praise of His glory.

"In Him we also were made God's heritage and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained, chosen, and appointed beforehand in accordance to His purpose, Who works everything out in agreement with the counsel and design of His own will, so that we who first hoped in Christ and put our confidence in Him have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of His glory."
Ephesians 1:11-12

- Seth

Catch Seth and the rest of the company in new works and old favorites by following us on Facebook and Instagram. Next stop for us: Christmas! 

Photo Credit: Scott Morrow

Photo Credit: Anna Handelsman

Meet Our Newest Members!

Our new season is off to a great start! Before we go much further in our 17th season, we wanted to introduce you to our newest members of the Ad Deum family. Each one is beautiful inside and out, and they each add so much to our community. We are incredibly blessed to have them!!

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

ANNA HANDELSMAN
Main Co. Apprentice

Anna began her dance training in Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of 11 to improve her grace as a figure skater. Soon she became fully devoted to dance (being warm) and began studying at various studios in Ohio including Patty Pille’s School of Dance, Dance Kids Studio, Cincinnati Youth Ballet, and the School for Creative and Performing Arts. While majoring in dance at Wright State University, she also trained as a member of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s second company for two years. During this time she had the honor of working with artists from Koresh, DCDC, Jon Lehrer, and Broadway’s Greg Graham. Anna was also blessed to have the opportunity to train for two summers with the late River North Dance Chicago; first as a summer intensive student and then as an apprentice. Since graduating cum laude with her BFA in dance in 2015, she has enjoyed teaching for programs such as Revolution Dance Theatre and performing for Crossroad Community Church’s production of Awaited. Anna is so grateful to have found a new home with Ad Deum Dance Company and is so excited for her first season.

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

KATIE DEARMAN
Main Co. Apprentice

Katie grew up dancing at Boni’s Dance and Performing Arts Studio in The Woodlands, Texas. She attended Southern Methodist University on a full-ride academic scholarship and graduated with a BFA in dance, BA in international studies, and minor in French. Katie and her husband are thrilled to be back in Houston near their families, Katie’s Boni’s family, and her new Ad Deum family!

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

SETH YORK
Main Co. Apprentice

Seth began his training at 8 years old at Dramatic Truth School of the Arts in Kansas City, Missouri. Since graduating from the school in 2014, he has trained at the American Dance Center, Kansas School of Classical Ballet, and Ballet Austin's summer intensive on multiple occasions and has performed with companies such as Storling Dance Theatre, Lawrence Ballet Theatre, and the American Youth Ballet, and Open Sky Arts Collaborative. Seth is excited to be starting his first season with Ad Deum as an apprentice.

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

TENLEY DORRILL
Main Co. Apprentice

Tenley Dorrill is from Dallas, TX and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern Methodist University with a BFA in Dance Performance and a BA in Religious Studies. After studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance and Batsheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tenley joined Thodos Dance Chicago as a company member, performing works by Lucas Crandall, Bob Fosse, and Robyn Mineko Williams. Tenley’s notable choreographic works include “Night Windows” commissioned by Thodos Dance Chicago, “Still Life” commissioned by Chicago Repertory Ballet, and Visceral Dance Chicago's SOLUS performance in 2016. This is Tenley’s first season with Ad Deum Dance Company.

Photo by Rachel Miller

HANNAH ANDERSON
Main Co. Guest Artist

Hannah Anderson began her training in Kansas City, Missouri at Dramatic Truth Ballet Theatre. She enjoyed four seasons with Störling Dance Theatre, and in her final season, choreographed two works on the company. In 2016, she danced in the premiere of Dianne McIntyre’s “When We Come To It,” and is currently the associate director of Open Sky Arts Collective. Hannah is excited to be guesting with Ad Deum this season.

ALENA HIRZEL
Ad Deum 2

Alena Hirzel is from Biel, Switzerland, where she is very involved with Jahu Church. She is excited to be working with Ad Deum 2 this season.

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

CASSIDY LITZ
Ad Deum 2

Cassidy was born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma, where she began training under Jeff and Natalie Lewis of Arrows International at age thirteen. She trained and traveled with their company for four years ministering all over the world and worked as their Junior Company Assistant Director her last year. She is thrilled to be joining AD2 this season.

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

GRACE SUTHERLAND
Ad Deum 2

Grace Sutherland was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri where she began her dance training at Dramatic Truth School of the Arts. She trained there from the age of 4 to 17 and graduated from the school, as well as apprenticed with the company for one year. Grace has also trained at Kansas City Ballet and performed with Open Sky Arts Collective. Currently, Grace is dancing with Ad Deum 2 and teaching dance in various schools in Houston. She is excited and expectant to see what God will do in this next season!

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

KATARINA AKERS
Ad Deum 2

Katarina is from Crawfordsville, Indiana where she began dancing at Crawfordsville Academy of Dance. She continued her training at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan where she received a BA in dance. While there, she had the opportunity to work with many renowned choreographers and dancers such as Amy O'Neal, Take Ueyama, Samm Shelton, and Jesse Zaritt. Her final year at Grand Valley, Katarina directed a student performance that included original works created by herself and other students. This year Katarina is excited to be joining Ad Deum II as an apprentice.

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

MARY BETH JACKSON
Ad Deum 2

From Huntsville, Alabama, Mary Beth studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and contemporary at North Alabama Dance Center. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance from Troy University, as Student Dance Coordinator and in many honor societies. Mary Beth performed and studied under choreographers such as Nicki Loud, Dominque Angel, Tracy Gilland-Shillabeer, Ellie Lazar, and Wes Chapman. Mary Beth is currently an apprentice with Ad Deum II.

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

RACHEL DEHART
Ad Deum 2

Bio coming soon.

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

RICARDO BELLOC
Ad Deum 2

From Monterrey, México, Ricardo began studying a degree in contemporary dance at Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey, during his preparation participated in various choreographies of great Mexican choreographers. He was invited to participate in the V Contest Ernestina Quintana in Havanna Cuba and Festivals Contemporary Dance; and he was invited to participate in and graduated from the Compañia Representativa de la Universidad Autonoma de Monterrey directed by Jaime Blanc (Dancer of the National Company of Mexico). This year, he feels excited to join Ad Deum II as an apprentice.

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

SARA YING
Ad Deum 2

Sara Ying was born in Taiwan. She was training in Taiwanese dance school. In 2015, she graduated from Nanjing Normal University. She participated in OM ARTS International “Incarnate 2016” and started her missionary journey. She is thankful for joining ADII, this big family. She is excited to worship God and use her life to share God’s love to people.

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

STEPHANIE PARKS
Ad Deum 2

Stephanie Parks grew up in Traverse City, MI, training at Ballet Etc under Thomas Morrell. In 2013, she was accepted into Ballet Magnificat’s Trainee Program, where she trained for two years; performing a variety of Ballet Magnificat repertoire, including works by Jiri Voborsky. For the 2015-2016 season, she joined Soli Deo Gloria Contemporary Ballet as an apprentice dancer.
This is Stephanie’s first year with ADII, and she is excited to see what God will do.

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

WILLIAM LOUFIK
Ad Deum 2

William Loufik is from Woodstown, New Jersey. He got his training as a BFA major at the University of Utah and in the summer programs of Ballet West and Boston Ballet. He has danced in Nevada Ballet Theatre, cruise lines, musicals, music videos and movies in LA. He has a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. William’s heart is to see God use the arts to advance his kingdom in the world and within the church. He joins AD II as an intern.

Photo by Sarah Lee Roes

XINYI ZHANG
Ad Deum 2

Xinyi Zhang is from China. She graduated from Beijing Dance Academy. She joined ADⅡ in 2016.

Come meet our talented new members sometime this season. We hope to see you soon!

Share Dance, Share Jesus

“Have talent, will travel.” It seems like the biblical version of the saying would go like this: “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. (Proverbs 22:29)” That verse came alive this summer as we traveled to Switzerland and Bulgaria and simply did what we are skilled to do. We are trained dancers. For most of us, it is a skill we have been practicing and honing for most of our lives, certainly most of our recent lives. Using those skills in which we’ve been training, all we had to do was choose to go and dance; the Lord took care of the rest. In Switzerland, we taught a summer dance and mime intensive similar to the one we hold here in Houston every summer. This was the fourth year in a row we were able to staff the intensive organized by the amazing team at YWAM Wiler [Special thanks to Sara, Rebecca, and Sue - We love you guys!]. With around 25 participants, we enjoyed eight days of dance classes, performances, worship, and life-giving devotionals.

On the last morning of the Switzerland intensive, just before the student showcase

Every year, it is a blessing to see new faces and to recognize familiar ones (especially, Ad Deum alum, Daniel Cosette and his wife!) as we stumble from the hard-to-miss red YWAM van into our new home for the week, faces overcome with a look that can only be described as jet lag. It is hard to say how the Lord manages to bring us together as family; build such strong relationships; challenge, grow and move in individuals’ hearts and minds in just those few days, but He does. And we are so thankful for the opportunity to use dance as a vehicle to travel and share Who we love while we share what we love to do. While Switzerland was new to some of our team, for others of us we had an idea of what to expect during the week (especially Randall who used to call Switzerland home!). Heading to Bulgaria, however, we were all in the same boat: What are we going to do? All we knew was that we were part of a team of artists helping to teach a creative arts camp run by dear friends of Randall’s. By the end of the camp, they were dear friends of all of ours and we were glad we trusted the Lord to go, even without all of the details. For the first time ever, Sofia Life Camp was held in Sofia, Bulgaria. Once again, we simply came as “the dancers”; and we relished in the privilege of connecting with the beautiful people in Bulgaria, working alongside the ridiculously talented arts staff and watching the Holy Spirit move like only He can. We had deep conversations, prayed with the staff and some of the campers, and watched the atmosphere of a prison change from chains and bondage to freedom in Christ. We were inspired by the warmth and love shown to us and were able to encourage our brothers and sisters living in Bulgaria and all over Europe as we did life together throughout the week. Dance was the vehicle; God took the skills He gave us; and the outcome was inexplicable.

We gotta have a camp photo! Photo credit: Eli Deli

Needless to say, we are so excited about what the Lord allowed us to be a part of this summer during our time in both Switzerland and Bulgaria. In the midst of lots of teaching and performing, we were still able to tour more of beautiful Switzerland's mountains in Gstaad and learn some traditional Bulgarian dances that kept us on our toes, quite literally. We can’t wait to go back and to have some of our new friends visit us in Houston as our new season begins TOMORROW!!!

Beautiful Switzerland... Need we say more?

The arts, dance in particular, is a universal language that crosses cultures, nations, tongues and backgrounds. It brings people together who might not otherwise have a reason to associate. It is a bond that is powerful and strong. As dancers, we have a platform that provided us entry into unique places to which we might not otherwise be invited or even think to go. That was so evident to us. As we went in faith, we were able to simply share dance and share Jesus. The truth is, we’re all given a platform. What is yours? We encourage you to share it; and share Jesus. Fun fact: We were asked to teach hip-hop in both Switzerland and Bulgaria. When asked who teaches hip-hop, none of us would volunteer. In Bulgaria especially, we were scheduled to teach hip-hop for for hours each day….! Let’s just say we got to see a whole different side of Randall Flinn, and we have video evidence of the result. ;)

**Thanks for keeping up with our travels, performances and happenings. And thank you for your patience as we figure out a more consistent schedule for blogging! Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages as well!

Lessons from Season 16: I Look Up

As Ad Deum’s 16^th season swiftly comes to a close, here are a few lessons company members have learned during the season. Think of it as a page from their personal journals. It is our hope and prayer that the lessons they’ve learned will encourage, affirm, challenge, and inspire you as you continue to walk and grow in your own journey. This entry is from Shannon in her second season with the company.

This season, I’ve been asking the Lord to teach me how to prepare for performances. Because let’s face it: according to my title, I am a professional dancer, which means I have arrived and I am far too old or advanced or both to be so stinking nervous before every show. Right?? My answer came during Ad Deum’s Spring Dance Intensive this past March.

Spring intensive has always been a special time for me. It was my first introduction to the company when God provided the opportunity for me to audition two years ago; it was also a great time of growth and breakthrough last season as an apprentice. This year was no different. That one week was a life-changing experience, and not just as a dancer.

Long, on-going journey short, we were rehearsing the piece “With Incense, We Rise,” choreographed by Vincent Hardy. During rehearsal time, Vincent gave us time and space to marinate in God’s presence and to just listen. Little did I know this time would be so important, not only to that rehearsal (and our in-studio performance later that evening), but also to dance and my life in general.

If you are like me, worship is usually a time spent with eyes closed. During this rehearsal time, however, I felt the Lord clearly leading me to keep my eyes open. Lying with my back on the floor, I found myself looking up. Through those precious moments, God spoke to my heart that looking to Him is the best, most important action I can take to prepare for a show. If I feel anxious, I should look up. If I’m worried about that one step that I always seem to mess up, I should look up. If I’m nervous about the stamina required for the show, I should look up. If I feel intimidated and lacking, I should look up. If I’m excited with energy pumping and adrenaline rushing, I should look up. In all things, I should look up.

Please don’t get me wrong. God teaching me how to prepare for a show is far less about a formula and the literal action of looking heavenward and far more about my heart posture. Because ultimately, at the heart of my nervousness is often a lack of trust in God and His willingness or ability to deliver on His promise to carry me through what He has called me to do.

Since beginning to learn this lesson, it’s not that I don’t get nervous anymore. Instead, it’s that I better know how to handle those nerves. I can take the pressure off of myself from demanding a safely perfect performance and focus on honest communication of the piece’s message.

When I look up, I am reminded to leave everything in God’s hands. When I look up, I am strengthened in the freedom of the knowledge that I am not good enough, but the God I serve is able and He is faithful. When I look up, I am calmed as I remember that I can trust God. When I look up, my surroundings fade; I can give all my concerns to the Lord in exchange for a clear focus on the message of the piece I’m getting ready to perform, and I can trust God to take care of the rest.

I’m not saying I go around dancing with my eyes to the sky when my focus is choreographed to be elsewhere. Rather, as a result of reminding myself that God is the only one who can make the performance a success, I am able to be present and engaged while dancing. I know that God is the only one who can make the performance have any significant impact (John 15:5); and because I am convinced that He has called me to that time and place, He will. Admittedly, it may look a bit different than my definition of a successful show, but it will be marked by the life-changing impact that only God can bring, not my perfect timing, expert spacing, or pointed feet.

As I began applying this lesson to preparing for performances, I soon found that it can also be applied to life in general. And it really should be! God knew that while He was answering my desire to learn how to prepare to perform (which is a journey on which I am still walking with Him), He was also teaching me how to approach life, both when things get tough and when life is bliss. I look up when I feel overwhelmed with my schedule. I look up when I’m concerned about finances and summer jobs. I look up when I wrestle with life’s various emotions, injuries, unexpected events. I look to the Rock that is higher than I (Psalm 61).

I don’t have to have all the right answers. I don’t even have to know all the right questions. All I have to do is look up: Be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10) and, praise God, I am not.

- Shannon

Acts of Redemption: Spring Concert Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2016

 

Ad Deum Dance Company

in

Acts of Redemption:

An Uncommon Liturgy Through Dance

Coming to Midtown Arts & Theatre Center Houston, May 21 @8pm and May 22@ 2pm. In celebration of their 16th season of international performances and outreach, Ad Deum Dance Company presents Acts of Redemption – An Uncommon Liturgy Through Dance.

Artistic Director, Randall Flinn states, “The work and the offerings of true and compassionate artists are indeed sacramental. The signature of their artistry opens a portal to the sacred where grace is encounter that washes over the soul. It is with this belief and pursuit that we embark on this mission and present this liturgy of hope.”

Acts of Redemption serves as a contemporary and quite uncommon mix of professional dance fashioned with spiritual reverence and devotional presentation. More than mere performance, An Uncommon Liturgy is an intimate encounter with the virtues of faith transported through the fragrance of artistry. Here you will find a refuge from the storm and drink of a peace that surpasses understanding. For Ad Deum, the stage is transformed to holy place and a table of nourishing dance is served so that all might feast upon its beauty.

For more information contact: 713 626-5050;  Addeumdance@gmail.com

Tickets: $20 general admission (They will be available for purchase soon at www.matchouston.org!)

Yes, What You Do Matters

God is on the move. We saw it in New York. We saw it in Corpus Christi. We see it in rehearsals and in our own lives. God is in the business of drawing people to himself through dance, and we are so humbled and excited to be a part of His plan. 

Dani in Steve Rook's "Bitter Earth"

So far, it's been a busy season for us here at Ad Deum and our schedule is filling up quickly. We spent the past two weekends on the road for The Dance Gallery Festival in NYC and Bailando Dance Festival in Corpus Christi. 

If only we had time to get together with all of you and sit down with a cup of tea and a slice of pumpkin bread to share stories of how the Holy Spirit moved during those festivals and even as we prepared for them. We'll suffice to say that we clearly felt the presence of the Lord when we danced and, based on what we heard from others watching performances or dancing with us in master classes, the Holy Spirit's presence was evident to them also, even if they didn't recognize that "something" as Him. It was truly an honor to know that God had moved in a way that only He can and that He chose to use us to do it! After all, that is exactly why we do what we do: to glorify our Abba Father and point others to Him in His redeeming love and overwhelming grace. 

While in New York, we were blessed by a gathering of Christian dancers on Sunday afternoon. Not only did these dancers pray boldly on our behalf in the middle of the city in an area known as Hell's Kitchen, but they are also unapologetic in their faith, honoring the Lord in their prominent positions in which He has placed them in well-known companies throughout the city. We were blown away by the work God is doing there. He has not given up on New York City and He has clearly not given up on using the arts to reach the people He loves so much. 

Hard at work in rehearsal for
"Sacrifice"

As we continue to prepare for a busy month of performing, we work with a renewed awareness that what we do matters because God is in it. We may not always see the big picture; every plié may not seem like it has a lasting effect on eternity; every bleeding toe may not feel directly connected to showing the love of God; and every forsaken load of laundry after a busy weekend may not boast of the hope we have in Christ; but it all matters. Oh, friend, it does matter. 

You see, God is on the move and He's using all those who are willing. You may wonder if it really makes a difference to get up and drag your sore muscles into the studio every day, and you may wonder how anyone will learn more about Christ through your faithful training in and dedication to your craft. However, God knows how all the hard work and sacrifices are working together as He draws all people unto himself. 

These past couple of weekends, we have been greatly encouraged by the opportunity to see how God is moving in the arts world, the dance world in particular. If there's one thing we would want to share with you during an afternoon tea it is to be encouraged. Be "steadfast" and "immovable". Continue to do whatever it is God is calling you to do in whatever place He is calling you to do it. You may not see it right now, but God knows all the details; He knows just how many people, dancers, are going through the same daily grind as you are; and He knows the great impact we all make when we unite for the same purpose: to honor and glorify Him.

As we all continue to take class, rehearse, perform, and love what we do, we hope to see you soon to share stories and encourage one another with a reminder that what we do every day really does matter for eternity.

Tech rehearsal for "Bitter Earth"

Our pre-show game faces

A little post show fun at Dairy Queen!