What Babe?

This David Bowie inspired dance was a little more of my fun side of dancing coming out. I don't think a whole lot of people understood it exactly, but you have to see the movie the Labrynth after watching this video. I used to LOVE that movie growing up for some odd reason. My Mom and brother Jordan would have to hide the vhs at Premiere Video in Willmar, MN so that we wouldn't have to rent it again. They would crush my heart when they said "Oh, looks like they don't have it Haylee..." I now understand why they did that, but it's pretty funny that years later I had to tribute a dance to that movie. I literally made a lot of this dance up on the spot and it could be better, but it was fun nonetheless and I need to share my love of The Labrynth with the world.

Fosse

Choreographed by Craig Ellingson

Boom Boom

It's Britney B*** There's nothing more I can say about this one. It was just fun to perform a dance to Britney Spears, haha. I will forever love her.

Tint it Blue

This is my first "Ballet." I was given this music by my close friend Jenny Peterson's Mom, Denise. I fell in love with the it. Denise said she pictured dancing to it and thought I could use it and well...I did! It turned out pretty cute too.

Can't Help It

This dance was actually our Nationals Hip Hop routine for the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dance Team. Kaitlin, Lisa, and I wanted to perform it at the dance show so we put a trio together. This past year Lisa actually past away so It's really bittersweet watching it now. It wasn't too long after this that she found out that she had a brain tumor. She fought for her life long and hard. She surprised everyone with her courage and strength in her battle against cancer. Dance meant the world to her and so did the dance team. Thank you for being so inspiring, Lisa.

Movie Scene

Billie Jean

I choreographed this dance freshman year with help from Craig Ellingson, Brianna Lucas, and Ruthie. As a freshman I was still a little insecure with both myself and my choreography. It was nice to have some help when I got stuck, but I can't take 100% of the credit for this dance because it was a team effort. Thanks guys!

The Season Turns

I look back at this dance and I'm happy I performed a solo my sophomore year of college. That takes some guts and I guess at the time I was going through some interesting life changes and dance was the only place I felt at home. It was my only constant. The song Enough to Change a Thing is by Scattered Trees, the band I have mentioned before. Dancing to their music is what inspired me with the show "Flurry" last spring with Craig Ellingson. What I love about this dance is watching how I recycled movements and where now I like to try to come up with different ones. I was still growing as a choreographer and a dancer at this point (and still am) but I was still pretty fresh out of High School. After our dance show we talked about all the different pieces and critiqued them. Craig congratulated me after this dance which made me feel like I had made some sort of leap in my dancing. He said that this was very different than anything I had done before. It was more "raw" was the word he used. This made me proud because it was. It was more revealing to who I was etc.

Half Alive

Zeke Hess and Haylee Thompson performing to Jar of Hearts

This dance is by far my favorite dance I have ever performed. I felt that my partner Zeke and I danced "As one." I couldn't have asked for a better partner in crime. I miss you Zeke! Right now I'm trying to think of everything that I feel and think about this dance, but I can't even explain it all. It was like this breakthrough in a journey of finding myself as a person and as a dancer. It was one of the most amazing experiences so far in my life. This dance brought my sister and Mom to tears. I liked that for the fact that movement I created could evoke that strong of an emotion for an audience. And maybe a part of it all is they know my life story. They have been there since I first danced. They have seen me grow as a person and as a dancer, but I hope this dance moves you in the way it did for my family. I loved performing it and would give anything to do it again!

ENJOY :)

Getaway

http://nana-studios.com/

The "D" word.

This word can be very scary to a lot of people. You knew I was talking about dance right? That’s the “D” word I’m talking about? Well…have you ever noticed if someone mentions this word there will be some sort of feedback? It’ll either be something like “I can’t dance” “I hate dancing” “Dancing is gay” or my favorite “I’m a guy..so I don’t dance.” Excuse me? Okay, so you’re saying because of your gender that you simply cannot dance because it’s not acceptable…or something? What girl doesn’t want guys to dance?! There’s something awesome about a man being “man” enough to dance. I’m not saying that you have to be professional or do anything fancy, but just move your body guys!

When I hear people make comments about the “D” word I begin to wonder why they feel the way they do. What shaped their perceptions of this word? I think there are people in the world less coordinated than others that have this naturally ability to move their body with grace, but it doesn’t mean the less coordinated individual cannot physically dance. I personally love when people don’t give (another “D” word) about what people think of their dancing skills. It shows a great deal of confidence and a sense of adventure about that person. Dance is a celebration of life. So please don’t be afraid of the “D” word anymore!

Play.

Too bad Kail was sleeping when Ava, Jayden, Paige, Jason and I went to the playground. Isn't he peaceful looking though? These photos were taken when I came down for Jayden's birthday at my brother's new house. It was so much fun and I can't wait to see them all again soon. I love being at "Grandma and Grandpa's" house with them and having a dance party in the dance room. We have so much fun dressing up and acting goofy. They make me feel like a kid and I love it!

Razzle Dazzle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP--N-1R7KU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XriRghhLFro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-SuySVMHlY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yymAJPC0FZM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDK26mUQxis&feature=related

You'll find a way.

Photography by Haylee


Sunday, October 2nd the Davies Eagle Elite Dance team had a potluck at the coach's house! I took them out for a little photo shoot for fun. They were fun to capture. We then stuffed out faces with tons and tons of great food and watched dance videos! They also had their first performance tonight at a JV football game at Davies. They made me so proud. Thanks girls!

Just Jump

Choreography is like the decision-making process that we use in life. Are you going to jump off that bridge or are you just going to let life pass you by? Everyday we are choreographing our lives, making choices, and carving our own paths. In choreographing a life we learn various lessons along the way. In addition to movement, decision-making processes, and principles of dance we learn about about authority, relationships, our bodies, and ourselves. As any experienced choreographer should know...nothing is ever perfect, but through the errors we make in choreographing a dance (or a life) we can discover aspects that we may have missed or overlooked and choose to make different decisions in the future. These corrections open new doors and move us toward new possibilities.

Everyone has their own way of choreographing, making decisions, and dealing with challenges. When it comes to my own choreography and I make a decision about a something I try it out or try to explain to someone what I'm thinking. There have been times where I loved the product at the time, but then look back and wonder what the heck I was thinking. However, that's all a part of growing as a person and a choreographer of dance and life.


What to do if you're in a choreographing RUT:

Ask for Help.

This can be one of the simplest answers to a choreography rut. Many times we have ideas in our minds, but need that reassurance that we should go for it especially if it's something out of our norm. Just ask someone for help. The only question that is a dumb one is the one inside your head that you don't ask!

Come back to it.

Sometimes the best way to figure it out is to move on and save it for later. We usually find the answers this way...or at least I do. Where was your mind when you were trying to make choreographic decisions? Were you focused on too many things at once creating an overwhelming feeling of stress? Sometimes if we just take a break we can see the missing pieces when we come back and look at it.

Use different music.

I told one of my Dance girls if they are stuck and can't choreograph to a piece of music to use something that moves them, something that gets their creative juices flowing again. It can actually be more fun that way too! It's cool seeing how movement can be manipulated and the emotions can be changed just through music choice.

Get inspired.

Sometimes we need a little inspiration. We need something that helps spark us again, something that lights the fire in choreographing and not giving up. This could be talking to someone that's been in the same situation, listening to good music, going on a day trip, reading something in a magazine (Like Chris Linnares article!).

Take a dance class.

The BEST solution to relieving stress and getting creative again. It's always good taking classes from people that have a different style than you're used to. It helps you to be open to trying new things and constantly changing and evolving with the world of dance.



XOXO

A True Diva

Yesterday began as a typical Thursday does in my life. I woke up later than I had planned, took my time getting ready, forgot to turn off the air conditioning in my apartment, and had to run some errands. I decided to get a little pick me up before really doing much of anything so I stop for a sugar free hazelnut latte with skim milk and whip cream at Atomic Coffee. I know, really? Why not just make it a sugar-filled hazelnut latte with whole milk if you're going to add the whip cream...just go all out.

Anyways...I'm waiting in line and I notice someone who shouldn't be familiar, but was. She stood up and told her husband what she wanted to drink and it dawns on me. "You look really familiar, I said, were you in a magazine here?" The woman said "Yes!" and then I remembered the article I was so inspired by of hers that I read this summer (ironically also in Atomic Coffee). I told her that I absolutely loved her story and she asked me if I went to school around here. I told her my interest in Dance and that I had been thinking about teaching English abroad. She is from Brazil so she told me I should go there.

I couldn't for the life of me remember this ladie's name so I had to do some research. I knew I loved her story, but I couldn't remember all the details. I found the article online from Area Women magazine of Fargo and found out that her name is Chris Linnares. I read the article again, but this time I felt even more inspired since I actually saw her in person and discovered how amazing this woman really is. I found her website for Diva Dance which I linked below. I even emailed her telling her how I felt. She honestly helped bring me back to the right mindset. I sometimes feel limited here in Fargo, North Dakota. I miss the beautiful scenery of New Zealand and the constant stimulation of exciting surroundings and unique culture. I just forget sometimes that it really doesn't matter where you are, but what you're doing to make where you are count!





http://www.chrislinnares.com/

MTFM

Photography done by Lacey Igo

http://www.laceybugcreations.com/blog/


I just want to say that my first experience in being a part of a Musical Theatre Production was the best I think it could have been. The cast was so supportive and encouraging to me and inspired me to participate in more productions in the future. I have met the most beautiful, amazing people all because of CHICAGO. Thank you to each and every one of you for being so amazing and making my experience so positive!

I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CAME TO SUPPORT US!!! WE COULD NOT PUT ON A SHOW LIKE THIS WITHOUT YOUR HELP.




My Biggest Fans: Davie's Dance Team

Check out the video below! My JV Dance Team at Davie's Eagle Elite tell everyone what they thought of the show!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XriRghhLFro&feature=share

SQUISH.

Come see the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre in their rendition of CHICAGO. Performances will be September 8-10 and 15-18. Get your tickets!!


This is my FIRST musical EVER. I'm very excited to be doing such a sensational musical!! Please come support!!

Pop...Six...Squish...Uh uh...Cicero...Lipshitz...

Emerging.

A little life update...

I started my new job today as a School Age Leader at Jefferson Elementary in Fargo through the YMCA. There are a ton of kids and the classroom can get kind of crazy, but I have a feeling I'm going to really enjoy this job. Working with children is chaotic, but so rewarding. I just know they're all going to be so excited tomorrow when I come which makes me want to go to work. I still work at the GAP part time...I enjoy the 50% discount. Retail can be fun when you work with great people like Grace and Josh, but I definitely know it's not where my heart is.


Life and Dance...
My life, of course, would not be complete if dance was not in there somehow. So yes, here it goes...along with these two jobs I also coach the JV Dance Team for Davie's Eagle Elite. LOVE that so far. I also teach camps at Bonnie Haney Dance. I started teaching ballet and I actually enjoy it as well. I'm more of a contemporary girl, but classic ballet is necessary for every dancer to improve technique. I also teach a "Dance Mix" class at the Wellness Center at MSUM. This class started out kind of rough, but I'm feeling much more confident in it and it is more organized now.

I also got asked to be an assistant choreographer with Patrick Kasper for the Gooseberry production of Cinderella. Patrick is very inspirational and has been a great person to work with. He also has his own site: http://www.positivemotion.net/ Check it out! And last but not least for the dance update, but this fall I will also be performing in the play CHICAGO for the FMCT. I am very excited for this because I have never been in a musical before!


XOXO

Take Action.

Raise Your Weapon...

http://onewaymagazine.blogspot.com/2011/05/press-play-music-monday.html

Aoteaora

The Kepler Track, South Island NZ
Four Days, 23k, 28 degrees, a penny stove, and three amigos.

Thinking back to this hike I'm so proud I did it. It was quite the challenge, but worth every drop of sweat and blister on my foot. Climbing a mountain is difficult, but once you reach the top you know why hard work is worth it. Even if you never reach the top, isn't it worth trying for it? I know that every time I think that something is too hard I think about climbing a mountain. Now that is hard, both physically, and mentally.

In an Instance.

Lake Matheson
South Island, New Zealand

Below is a video that Robbie Keating made entitled: "Remembering the Unforgettable." The video is a short 4 minute 41 second commemoration of our five month study abroad experience in the beautiful country of New Zealand.

http://vimeo.com/24692817

Fountain of Youth.

Bonnie Haney School of Dance performance 2011.

Bicycle.

I bought a new bike this spring. I had been eying it since September of last year. It is a mint green Vienna. I love it very much! I thought I would just make not of this fact since the quote and title of the entry are so very fitting.

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. — Albert Einstein

It is hard to let go, but once we do this we can become what we might have been. Like Albert Einstein's quote we must keep moving. If we don't that is when we fall or lose sight of what we're reaching for. Whether we're letting go of loved ones who have past away, friends that hold us back instead of let us grow, not caring what other people think about you, or dancing like no one is watching "letting go" it is never easy. Letting go can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of life. When we let go sometimes we can see ourselves more clearly, more pure than ever before.

In dance I know that my personal experiences have altered my dancing. I have danced nearly every emotion that could run through my body. This year especially have I seen tremendous growth in myself. I found myself dancing with more passion than ever before and relating movement to life including my own struggles, adventures, excitement, passion, regret, and even fears.

I look back on who I was not only as a dancer, but also as a young adult my freshmen year of college and even back to high school. It is amazing how much I have changed. I still have much growing to do, but I have become more confident and secure with who I am as a person. I can honestly say that I am proud of who I am. I also know my potentials so I only hope to keep pushing forward and letting go of the things that hold me back and restrict me from being who I am.

XOXO

Impact.

"If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito."

-Anita Roddick

Reflection.

The song in the video is Yanni "In the Mirror." It actually works really well with this movement. I have been intrigued lately by creating choreography to one piece of music, then experimenting with other songs. It really changes the whole dance.

I spent some time today reflecting on dance and how much I've grown as a person these last four years in college. I look at old photos and dances and think about where I was at then and where I am now. I still have so much to learn about dance and life, but I will say I am happy to be in the place I'm at and can't wait to see what's to come.

The song "In the Mirror" makes me look at the dance in a whole new way. The best way I can describe what I see or feel with this change in music is this quote:

"Friends are the mirror reflecting the truth of who we are" -unknown.

Ouch.

Jar of Hearts blunder, Haylee Thompson and Zeke Hess

Perseverance.

I just discovered a program on my computer so I can do some simple video editing. All I have as of now is this short and painful video. My foot was okay a few days later. Funny thing is I did more damage to my foot myself the following week because. I'm not sure how, but I was turning and landed on my foot wrong. I definitely broke my second toe on my right foot. I just taped it and kept on going though. And that is perseverance, people.

I love dance, but just not today.

Do you ever feel like we should love what we do every second of every day? I do.

"I love dance, but just not today." Why is that? Why do I sometimes believe when I'm burnt out from dance that maybe I should just give it up? I think sometimes that what I love more than anything else is not worth it or what is making me unhappy. But we are the product of our unhappiness. We all go through these doubts, but to let them take over and defeat you is just silly. I love dance, but just not today means hey, I need a mental break. I need to put my energy into something else for awhile and come back to it.

My thoughts sometimes make me question whether or not my decision to keep dancing is right. Why would I think that? Dancing is life to me. It is what gives me purpose and meaning. Whether or not I'm actually the one doing it or just inspiring people to move, it's what I do. I'm not giving up on my goal to open my dance studio someday because I simply had an "off" day.

“Goals give you a compass in order to direct your path through life. Goals focus your thoughts and actions on areas that have precise purpose and meaning.”

- Catherine Pulsifer