Kids often fall into one of a few different categories regarding their passions and interests. You have the kids involved in every sport or activity under the sun. Others prefer more individually oriented activities like running, computers, or cycling. Still, others gravitate toward artistic endeavors such as crafts, music, or theatre.
The common factor for most kids is that their choices are usually part of exploring various activities for simple enjoyment. But for some, that initial interest in an activity, sport, or pursuit blossoms into something much more all-encompassing.
For two local young women, dancing has evolved from something to do into something they can’t do without. Dance has become a priority for them and their families in the last several years.
“I spend a lot of time at the studio, which can be seen as a sacrifice,” says 12-year-old dance enthusiast Paige McDonald, “but honestly, I have such great friends, and Tia and Laura have created such a great community; it’s my second home.”
The studio she is referring to is The Dance Center. Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, the studio offers premier instruction in various competitive and recreational styles, including ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, and others. Featuring five different studios within the 7500-square-foot facility, the Center has played a central role in the future dreams of McDonald and her friend and classmate Tes Laflin.
Laflin, 14, and McDonald are joining forces in a duo number this year, hoping to raise their competitive standard to the next level. Both have a long history of recreational and competitive dance pursuits on an individual and team basis, and both are keen on turning professional over the next several years.
Tes showed interest in dancing from a very early age. Although she didn’t begin formal lessons until the age of seven, it was clear that she had a natural ability. “She would climb out of her crib, go into her drawer, grab a leotard, put it on, and then sleep in that,” laughs her mother, Sarah Laflin.
After starting in jazz, Tes moved to contemporary dancing shortly afterward before participating in a team competition. Team competition brought the need for ballet, which is widely considered the fundamental backbone of dance.
Paige also showed early talent after a fortuitous mix-up. As a new dancer, she mistakenly went to a ballet class for more advanced students, only to find herself moved to the class permanently the following week. “That was the start of something … I just felt something was right with ballet.”
The similarities between the two don’t stop there. Both started dancing at age seven, switched to home school to accommodate their rigorous practice schedule, and chose to place their craft above other typical childhood pursuits.
“The sacrifices I have to make are things like not being able to hang out with friends or anything school-related,” Tes says.
For young dancers pursuing a professional career, the investment in time and energy can be significant. Participating in several team, individual, and duo competitions requires four to five hours of training per day, spread over multiple classes. Both girls arrange their schooling around the needs of their practice schedules, completing assignments around the exhausting, rigorous sessions.
“I don’t know how she does it,” laughs Paige’s mom, Aimee McDonald. We just got back from five weeks of intensives. She danced six days a week, eight to nine hours a day.”
Intensives, which many elite dancers attend to further develop their technique and choreography, are pretty much what they sound like: long, multi-hour sessions designed to hone a dancer’s approach, technique, and delivery.
For Paige, the minutia and analysis necessary to perfect specific movements is a large part of the overall appeal. “I remember certain steps just clicking in my mind, and I would be like, ‘Okay, that makes sense now!’” she says. “It makes me have an eye for imperfections, zooming in on the little things.”
Although they are still relatively young, Tes and Paige can attest to the role confidence plays in their journey, especially regarding performance and competition. “You can remember choreography, and you can just do the steps, but it takes confidence to present (it),” remarks Paige. “I’m always thinking, ‘Am I going to remember this?’”
Tes agrees, saying that the moments before stepping on stage can be the most frightening—and the time when confidence is needed most. “I feel like every time I go (to compete), I’m always a little nervous, but once I’m on stage, it all goes away.”
For now, the focus is on building on their past success to improve their chances of one day becoming professional. Both are looking forward to teaming up for the duo competition this year and seeing where the next step will take them individually and as a team. Tes recently took third place in a duo competition at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), which draws competitors worldwide. “My duo partner and I performed last year, took third, and went to their finals in Florida. We were invited back this year and got third place again out of over 100 different competitors. This year, our goal is to place at finals.”
Paige has also found success and dreams of performing as part of a company. “I want to go professional; I want to go into a ballet company where I can dance on the big stage.”
Tes is keener to explore. “I’m still not set on what style I want to go into yet. Whether I would want to do contemporary jazz or straight ballet and pointe.”
Despite the intense individual focus, there remains an element of camaraderie in the world of dance. Both Tes and Paige agree that while their choices demand sacrifice, it often doesn’t feel that way. “I would never say it’s a competitive environment. I mean, you want a little goal or milestone. But when we’re at competitions, everybody is cheering for everybody (else) backstage. Competition has always been a great time.”
Originally from New England, Matt Desenberg is a writer living in Monterey.