30 Days of Song...

 I got this from my bestie....who most likely knew I was gonna participate in this challenge.
Today begins my 30-day challenge...a SONG challenge, at that! I do believe this is perfect for me :)  I'll repost each answer.

And here we go...!

day 01 - your favorite song -  Don't Stop til Ya Get Enough - Michael Jackson

day 02 - your least favorite song - Anything recorded performed written or associated with Kesha

day 03 - a song that makes you happy - Cover Girl - Joey McIntyre

day 04 - a song that makes you sad - What A Wonderful World

day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone - All I Have to Give- Backstreet Boys

day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere - Empire State of Mind Part II - Alicia Keys

day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event - Smooth Criminal- Michael Jackson

day 08 - a song that you know all the words to - At This Moment- Billy Vera and the Beaters
day 09 - a song that you can dance to- Let's Go Higher- Jordan Knight

day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep - Music doesn't make me fall asleep.

day 11 - a song from your favorite band - Coming Home - NKOTB

day 12 - a song from a band you hate - Free Fallin- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure - Good Vibrations- Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch

day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love - My music tastes are so vast...nothing would be surprising to anyone I know. lol

day 15 - a song that describes you - Strip Me- Natasha Bedingfield

day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate - I Got A Feelin'- Black Eyed Peas

day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio- Jar of Hearts- Christina Perri

day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio- Let's Go Higher - Jordan Knight

day 19 - a song from your favorite album- Stare At You- The Block- NKOTB

day 20 - a song that you listen to when you’re angry- Higher Ground- Red Hot Chilli Peppers

day 21 - a song that you listen to when you’re happy- Stay With Me Baby- NKOTB

day 22 - a song that you listen to when you’re sad- I Won't Let Go - Rascal Flatts

day 23 - a song that you want to play at your wedding- Cover Girl- Joey McIntyre

day 24 - a song that you want to play at your funeral- Raise Your Glass- Pink

day 25 - a song that makes you laugh- Truck and Fish- NKOTB

day 26 - a song that you can play on an instrument- I used to be able to play Groovy Kind of Love on the piano.

day 27 - a song that you wish you could play- Anything written and composed by Alicia Keys

day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty- There isn't one

day 29 - a song from your childhood- At This Moment- Billy Vera and the Beaters

day 30 - your favorite song at this time last year- Coming Home- NKOTB

Why I Teach...

I came across a binder the other day. One I had forgotten about. It's filled with dance related items and going away letters from my students in Minneapolis. There is one...that makes me cry every time I read it. I had forgotten about it. I share it now with you.

Dear Ann Marie (teacher, friend, inspiration),

First of all, this is *not* a goodbye letter. it's more of a thank you-until we meet again-best wishes letter. Like you said, we're not gonna say goodbye :). I just wanted to let you know the immense impact you've had on my life and who I am as both a dancer and a person. You came to the studio towards the end of my first year of dance and now I've just finished my fourth. So nearly all of my dance years have been filled with your grace, talent, spunk, enthusiasm, passion, love and ever-shining smile.

Not only did you teach me how to do quick push-pirhouettes, butterfly-like bourres, and yes, even the Krump Jump; but also how to speak through my heart and look at life with an open mind. You're the one who first inspired me to look at dance as a career. That perhaps I *could* do what I loved so much for the rest of my life.

You're the one who choreographed my first solo. Who made me love the Sugar Plum Fairy, even when my legs ached and Skylar was sick of lifting me. You created expectations for me I once believed I'd never reach, but following the wise words of a woman I know to "fake it til ya make it!" I faked it until one day I *did* make it. And then you had new goals for me, new ideas you had in your head, and I worked to reach those.

From Hurt, to Distortion, to Bring Me to Life, to Come to Me...from a quick Ballet combination, to a grounded and powerful Modern piece. You always kept me on my toes (literally haha!) not because you gave me impossible new challenges but because you knew...even when I didn't...that I could do it. Even just this year when you told me you'd come with me when I audition for So You Think You Can Dance, my heart soared. My little dream didn't seem so far away knowing that you believed in it, and in me too.

I remember being backstage after the first time I competed with my solo. I saw another Pointe dancer doing her solo perfectly and I said, " I'll work extra hard and next time...I'll dance like *her*!" And YOU said, " But Maura, I don't want you to dance like her. I want you to dance like YOU." I never forgot that Ann Marie. Everytime I dance I remind myself to dance like *me*. As easy as it sounds, I used to forget, and you reminded me that I should always work to be the best that I can be.

As if that wasn't enough life-lessons and heart-warming memories, you taught me one more...the gift of laughter. Oh Ann Marie! From wearing my pants up to my boobs, making weird faces, imitating Penelope (I imitated her just a little bit better because...I own the world...and...my middle name is amazing...) inventing new words such as "Enchance", and one of our finest moments of hilarity...turning me into the HIP HOP GURU! You have made me laugh *every* single day I've spent with you and that has been the greatest gift of all.

Thank you for all you've taught me these past three years. Those lessons are both irreplacable and unforgettable. I know you still have a few things to teach me and a heartful of laughter to share...and we will. Because this isn't goodbye. :) Now go home to Iowa and share all your gifts and love with your Dad, old friends, new friends, and maybe new students. I know you won't forget us, and without a doubt we will never *ever* forget you.

Love,

Maura Bremer (friend, student, and fan)

Note: I am still quite close to Maura and just wrote her a letter of recommendation that helped get her into the college she wanted. She will major in Journalism and minor in dance. I love my Plum and am beyond humbled by this letter.

This is why I teach...in hopes that I can have an impact on even just ONE student.

Left to Right: Annie (flower), Me (Snow Queen and Co-Director. Note the walkie. lol), Maura (Sugar Plum Fairy)