Blocking a Career in Dance

So far, my life as a Sacramento Kings Dancer has been nothing short of amazing; I've met some great new people and am getting priceless dance training.  I have to say though, the most intriguing part of this whole process has been in the reactions I'm getting from my personal network of people.

The "dance scene", especially in Sacramento, is a small one.  It is built of tightly-knit, young, ambitious dancers who love and compete with their peers.  Where I come from is an even smaller circle of hip hop dancers, mostly located in South Sacramento who create "underground" crews who compete and perform in local competitions for cash prizes and bragging rights.  Interestingly, I've recently discovered the depth of segregation between dancers of different genres, and how much the dancers in each genres stick to their roots, especially underground hip hoppers. 

It would be safe to say that I've jumped around; started as a hip hop dancer, moved to burlesque and jazz and even some cheerleading.  Oh, the cheerleading. Starting out as a masculine dancer, like from far away you can't tell if that person in the baggy v-neck and sweats is a guy or a girl, influenced the remainder of my dance life.

Needless to say, some of my original hip hop dance peers were less than excited upon catching me with pom-poms in my hands with Dolly Parton hair and pageant princess make up.  I don't deny that it was a change, and a dramatic one, and it is not common for dancers to jump around.  It is respectable for dancers to hone in on "their" genre and climb up the great ladder of status in that genre.  The goal is (I think), for dancers to get compensated for their work, whether it be choreography, dancing or assisting.  In all honesty, I was ready for that to happen.

In Sacramento, hip hop dance does not pay, unless you're teaching.  In fact, it is common in the above-mentioned crews to pay monthly for your membership and classes upon being admitted into the company.  I would know, I had a crew of my own.  Jazz dancers and professional cheerleaders, such as the Sacramento Kings Dancers, on the other hand, are compensated for their time and work, hence my decision to switch to the dark side.

The differences between being a member of a jazz company versus a hip hop company are countless.  Hip hop dancers rely on basses and snares to  teach movement and jazz uses the traditional counting of five, six, seven, eights.  Obviously the music differs extensively as well.  Though frequently overlooked by young dancers, the similarities between dancers of different genres are what defines all of us as dancers. We're all there to move ourselves and the audience.
 
The transition into professional jazz has been rough though; my dance clothes are limited to dark colors and plaids and not enough Victoria's Secret "PINK" cheetah print jazz pants.  My shoes are still high-top Nikes and I don't yet own a pair of Uggs. But I make do. Baby steps.