Lessons in the Key of Life
Viewing comments for Chapter 1 "Dancing"A music and dance teacher's improvization
28 total reviews
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Bravo! You are amazing. And I think you're right that you should never allow yourself to fall prey to self-imposed limits. As my hubby always says, "Give a student a clear goal, and he/she will rise to it." I would have loved to see the men doing ballet in workboots--brilliant! LOL!
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2019
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Bravo! You are amazing. And I think you're right that you should never allow yourself to fall prey to self-imposed limits. As my hubby always says, "Give a student a clear goal, and he/she will rise to it." I would have loved to see the men doing ballet in workboots--brilliant! LOL!
Comment Written 01-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2019
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I agree one hundred percent. Children love to rise to our expectations of them (actually many adults still do, too...) Thanks for this terrific review, Phyllis. Very much appreciated. xo
Comment from Mastery
You are so damned talented Shelly. Each day I see and read more of your adventures in life and am amazed. All this and you write, too? LOL I can jst visualize those guys doing their steps in ballerina dancing in front of a crowd. I would just die if it were me.
What in the world did you do to convince them to expose themselves that way? OMG! LOL
You are something else you. Bless you. Great piece here. Bob
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2019
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You are so damned talented Shelly. Each day I see and read more of your adventures in life and am amazed. All this and you write, too? LOL I can jst visualize those guys doing their steps in ballerina dancing in front of a crowd. I would just die if it were me.
What in the world did you do to convince them to expose themselves that way? OMG! LOL
You are something else you. Bless you. Great piece here. Bob
Comment Written 31-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2019
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We Jews just love Schtick, Bob; we'll do anything for a laugh! These guys needed NO convincing; believe me when I tell you that!!
Thanks for the delightful review. I always appreciate your warm encouragement. xo
Comment from Sandra Elizabeth Williams
I am honoured to be 'in the presence' of (apostrophe because we are online) someone as talented and amazing as you are, Rachelle.
These snippets of your life's experiences are certainly appreciated as there is much to learn from them. Sometimes people need to hear real stories from real people to help them cope and to see things differently.
Thanks so much for sharing your stories.
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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I am honoured to be 'in the presence' of (apostrophe because we are online) someone as talented and amazing as you are, Rachelle.
These snippets of your life's experiences are certainly appreciated as there is much to learn from them. Sometimes people need to hear real stories from real people to help them cope and to see things differently.
Thanks so much for sharing your stories.
Comment Written 31-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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This is such a nice review, Sandra. Thank you for all your kind words, your encouragement, and your take on the "lessons," too. They made me feel great. xo
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You're welcome, Rachelle!
:-)
Comment from LaRosa
This is a really fascinating lesson on life experiences. You took the reader from an unexpected opportunity to use childhood experiences while creating an awesomely humorous skit, thru the opportunities it brought. The ending story of what is learned is never lost and can always be used later...well, it makes one smile and look at his/her own life a little bit differently. Who knows what can happen?
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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This is a really fascinating lesson on life experiences. You took the reader from an unexpected opportunity to use childhood experiences while creating an awesomely humorous skit, thru the opportunities it brought. The ending story of what is learned is never lost and can always be used later...well, it makes one smile and look at his/her own life a little bit differently. Who knows what can happen?
Comment Written 31-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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That is absolutely true!! I love hearing that this has brought you this kind of inspiration! Thank you times a million zillion for this review. I couldn't love it more. xo
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smiley face!
Comment from judiverse
What a great delight to read. I loved your account of Golda, Sollie, and the men's performance. It must have been something to see. They really threw themselves into it if they were that well synchronized. Great costuming, too. Great account of how you learned tap dancing in a hurry. It must have helped that you were a dancer in ballet and jazz, so it wasn't so mysterious for you. You were brave to attempt to learn tap dancing in that short a time. Practice, practice is what is takes. Doing things for the fun of it is the key to these kinds of performances. Wonderful presentation with great details. judi
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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What a great delight to read. I loved your account of Golda, Sollie, and the men's performance. It must have been something to see. They really threw themselves into it if they were that well synchronized. Great costuming, too. Great account of how you learned tap dancing in a hurry. It must have helped that you were a dancer in ballet and jazz, so it wasn't so mysterious for you. You were brave to attempt to learn tap dancing in that short a time. Practice, practice is what is takes. Doing things for the fun of it is the key to these kinds of performances. Wonderful presentation with great details. judi
Comment Written 31-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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I practiced CONSTANTLY, Judi. I was making my family CRAZY with it!!! But it paid off because I choreographed and taught dance classes for twelve years.
And you're right, the "swans" totally threw themselves into that skit. They knew it wouldn't work if they weren't good at the dance part; it would just be dumb. So they gave it everything they had. Fantastic work ethics on ALL of them!
Thank you for this thorough, wonderfully specific review. So helpful and encouraging. xo
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You're welcome. I loved that the men were wearing work boots for their dance. judi
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That was a hilarious touch. I had no idea they'd planned that (well, one of their WIVES had...) I just doubled over when they came out in those. Oy.
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What a great story. It must have been something to see that routine. As you indicated, it takes a lot of practice to carry off something like that. judi
Comment from DeborahWrite
Dear Rachelle,
Your chapter's moments and fun were endearing and well written. I enjoyed your first story and it brought me into the performance! Your descriptions made my reading experience real and because they were so good, I saw the stage and the dancers' performances in my mind. I also agree: colleagues in the teaching fields identify excellent teaching and teachers. Also, this is a great 'Tap' story! Outstanding!
Congratulations,
Deborah
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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Dear Rachelle,
Your chapter's moments and fun were endearing and well written. I enjoyed your first story and it brought me into the performance! Your descriptions made my reading experience real and because they were so good, I saw the stage and the dancers' performances in my mind. I also agree: colleagues in the teaching fields identify excellent teaching and teachers. Also, this is a great 'Tap' story! Outstanding!
Congratulations,
Deborah
Comment Written 31-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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Thank you for such an in-depth review, Deborarh; it helps to have specific examples of what a reader thinks 'worked' in a story. I appreciate all your feedback and encouragement. xo
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My pleasure, and I understand the world of dance, choreography and teaching the arts... and its challenges and successes! I hope your continue your success :)
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Keep reading the book to find out!! lol
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I promise :)
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Sweet talker!! :)
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We have more in common than evident and I am so proud to know your writing xo
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I will love learning more and more about our similarities then!
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Here it is--in part religion, dance, performance, teaching, writing and caring about others--I hope this is right.
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Omg!! I think we are twin sisters from different parents and continents!! No wonder we get along so easily!! When's YOUR chapter book coming to FanStory?!
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Hi Rachelle, I hope to write one in the future :) and I love your writing! Deborah
Comment from A. Willow Bends
Sometimes we have to just jump in blind and take risks. You did and you DID IT! Congrats. This story is inspirational to anyone who holds back because of one "I Can't" element. One element should never hold us back. Firm believer in that.
Great Job with this, conveying the nervousness and the leaping of an obstacle.
Loved it.
Wendy
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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Sometimes we have to just jump in blind and take risks. You did and you DID IT! Congrats. This story is inspirational to anyone who holds back because of one "I Can't" element. One element should never hold us back. Firm believer in that.
Great Job with this, conveying the nervousness and the leaping of an obstacle.
Loved it.
Wendy
Comment Written 31-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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Thanks, Wendy. I always love your reviews because they're well-thought-out and not just the "blanket" variety. They're always very helpful, because I understand, from you, what 'connected, which helps me know what to do with future pieces. xo
Comment from Scarbrems
Oh, come ON, leave something for everyone else, wouldya? Have you not enough talent with singing and piano, without adding dance as well? Loved the choreography of Swan Lake for the over-sixties. Reminds of I show I once operated lights on. The chorus were mainly over sixty, and the choreographer told me she had to remind them it wasn't an aerobics class every week, and they did have to remember the steps. Of course, she forgot to sort the spacing for the scenery, and there was one guy who always got his cap knocked off by a descending cloth. Anyway, I digress...truly charming as always. Love you learning tap in 7 days. Great stuff, keep it coming.
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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Oh, come ON, leave something for everyone else, wouldya? Have you not enough talent with singing and piano, without adding dance as well? Loved the choreography of Swan Lake for the over-sixties. Reminds of I show I once operated lights on. The chorus were mainly over sixty, and the choreographer told me she had to remind them it wasn't an aerobics class every week, and they did have to remember the steps. Of course, she forgot to sort the spacing for the scenery, and there was one guy who always got his cap knocked off by a descending cloth. Anyway, I digress...truly charming as always. Love you learning tap in 7 days. Great stuff, keep it coming.
Comment Written 31-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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HAHAHAHA. I can so picture that, Sarkems. Theatre work is a riot, isn't it? (Operating lights is very serious work - LOTS of responsibility!! I give you so much credit! oy.)
Thanks for letting me in on this slice of your life. I love it! xo
Comment from Michele Harber
I love your life, my FSBFF. It's so much more interesting and successful (career-wise, anyway) than mine. I love that you had the chance to put your creative juices to use every step of the way (I had to fight for the few stray moments of creativity I got to use on my job), and that you've merely extended your creative horizons with your poetry. (Notice the metaphor I threw in there just to prove that I can be creative too??) The only issue I had was a grammatical one (or two) in this paragraph:
"One night, a woman I recognized as the cast member from the 'Perfecting Machine' sketch asked me why I was making dinosaurs; and I explained about the gig awaiting me in the morning."
I would change "the cast member" to "a cast member," unless it was a one-person sketch. Also, a semi-colon usually goes where you might otherwise have used a preposition, and no preposition is needed after "dinosaurs," so I'd just stick to the comma. I'm sorry to be so picayune, but one of the few places where I did get to use my creativity on the job was in putting together and teaching a grammar class, as the grammar in this supposed "communications" (read, P.R.) firm was atrocious!
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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I love your life, my FSBFF. It's so much more interesting and successful (career-wise, anyway) than mine. I love that you had the chance to put your creative juices to use every step of the way (I had to fight for the few stray moments of creativity I got to use on my job), and that you've merely extended your creative horizons with your poetry. (Notice the metaphor I threw in there just to prove that I can be creative too??) The only issue I had was a grammatical one (or two) in this paragraph:
"One night, a woman I recognized as the cast member from the 'Perfecting Machine' sketch asked me why I was making dinosaurs; and I explained about the gig awaiting me in the morning."
I would change "the cast member" to "a cast member," unless it was a one-person sketch. Also, a semi-colon usually goes where you might otherwise have used a preposition, and no preposition is needed after "dinosaurs," so I'd just stick to the comma. I'm sorry to be so picayune, but one of the few places where I did get to use my creativity on the job was in putting together and teaching a grammar class, as the grammar in this supposed "communications" (read, P.R.) firm was atrocious!
Comment Written 31-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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That is NOT picayune; that is you having my back, and I appreciate it. You're totally right with both edits, and I will get right on them as soon as I finish answering the reviews here. Thank you, FSBFF. And thank you for the delightful review, as well. I always so appreciate your encouragement. xo
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You're very welcome, Rachelle (NOT Shelley). I always have your back. I'm just not always used to people appreciating the degree to which I proof/edit (which I hadn't actually set out to do; this just caught my eye). I don't know if I look forward more to reading your new works, or to these interactions we have afterward. What I do know for sure, however, is that I'm very glad you're my FSBFF.
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Right back atcha!! Three cheers for FanStory, which brought us together. xo
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Two cheers for FanStory. Three cheers for us!!
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You one-upper, you!
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If you can't one-up your FSBFF, who can you one-up? I'm sure your mother said that to you when you were growing up. She didn't?? Well, she should have!
Comment from susand3022
Wow, Rachelle, what a story! I marvel at your perseverance! I don't think I would ever have had the balls to do that, although I have always wanted to learn to dance! It's one of those things I do in my mind... never in real life... lol
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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Wow, Rachelle, what a story! I marvel at your perseverance! I don't think I would ever have had the balls to do that, although I have always wanted to learn to dance! It's one of those things I do in my mind... never in real life... lol
Comment Written 31-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2019
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There's a thin line, Susan, I think, between 'balls' and 'no common sense whatsoever.'
Thank you for the insights into your life; I love reading them. Go dance, for gawd sake!! If anyone laughs, just go kick them. Very simple.