The pandemic era belongs to us all. Everyone had their challenges and struggles, some more than others. Dance schools across the country took a severe hit and many were not able to recover. This era was emotional and heartbreaking. We had to cancel our 2020 recital 8 weeks from the show date. Everything was ready to go, and the video message I had to create to cancel was one of the hardest things I ever had to do in my career. The following season, we operated at 49% of our average capacity and offered a showcase instead of a recital. In 2022, we increased it to 55% and offered one recital. Last year, we were up to 70% of standard enrollment and back to two shows. The journey back has been slow and steady and the reason for featuring this era is to highlight the gratitude for everyone who supported us through the comeback and kept our doors open. This era also depicts the resilience of the human spirit and the passion to overcome adversity.
It was Thursday, March 12, and our senior dance class had been in session for about ten minutes. These high school students came into the room talking about what was going on in the world and how things were shutting down. We were learning more details through text messages and phone calls. It got to a point where no one could focus on dance. One of the students asked if we could do yoga. At that moment, it was the best idea to just breathe and quiet the noise. I took the class to the other room where we could dim the lights and use the mats to add comfort. We stretched, and we talked. I assured them they were safe and that their parents would be informed of the situation and take necessary measures for their well-being. That class would be the last time I would see my students until mid-September. The world shut down, and I had to do the unthinkable: cancel our 2020 recital just eight weeks from the show. We had all our routines completed, all the costumes in place, tickets, programs, and everything ready to go. I remember making the video announcement; it was one of the most challenging presentations ever. This would be the second time I had to cancel a recital. In 1984, I gave birth to twin boys prematurely and the recovery would require my full attention. This cancellation was much earlier in the year before we had costumes and all things in place.
On the home front, when the world shut down, Morgan returned home from Arizona because the clinic she was working at shut down. She worked at the Oakland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Oakland while at home. It was such a remarkable time. I felt like my career was spiraling down the drain, not sure if it would survive, and Pete’s business as a home builder was on fire. He was busier than ever, talking about extremes.
By the summer of 2020, the restrictions were a little clearer and we were able to hold our summer dance camp. We stayed outside as much as possible, wore masks, and used lots of hand sanitizer. I made face masks for everyone. This was before commercial masks were available, they were cute and went with our dance camp costumes. Dance camp would be the only event that we would complete in 2020. The Autumn Glory parades were canceled. I took advantage of the festival cancellation and took a trip out west with Pete to enjoy hiking and visit Morgan, who had moved back to Arizona. Autumn Glory always falls over my birthday and anniversary, so it was fun to take a trip to celebrate the milestones.
When we opened our doors again in the fall of 2020, we had about 50% of our regular enrollment. I remember just being happy to be back in the studio and being glad to teach whoever wanted to be there. We strictly followed the advice of the CDC.
In the spring of 2021, we held a showcase at the Elks Club. We carefully orchestrated a plan that would have one group at a time perform for their families. Everyone was so cooperative, and the event ran seamlessly. It was not a recital, but we were thrilled to perform and do what we love. In the fall of 2021, we decided to plan our community dance project for Cindy’s Fund. It would be called Weathering Life’s Storms. We got permission from the Town of Oakland to create a colorful display of hanging umbrellas in Bankers Alley in downtown Oakland. Pete and his crew took a full day with a scissor lift to hang over 12 dozen umbrellas. The display was fantastic, just like Umbrella Street in France. It was the first activity since COVID started that made me feel whole again. We scheduled performances every Saturday morning and sold umbrellas with Cindy’s Fund logo, coffee, and donuts donated by Glazed and Confused, a donut business owned by instructor Kenzi (Smith) Mousch. It was an excellent attraction that had a cheerful effect on everyone who saw it. Little did I know how much I would need this cheerful place when, one month later, my husband Pete got sick with COVID-19 and was hospitalized for a week in Cumberland. I will never forget the ER doctor telling Pete he would do everything they could to save his life. While in the hospital, I was allowed to visit for one hour a day, which was an improvement over some who never had the chance to see their loved ones. I can’t even imagine that heartache. It was a stressful and concerning time for our family.
We were all anticipating the return of Autumn Glory. I had purchased several dozen cool light-up umbrellas for the Fireman’s Parade only to have the parade canceled, staying in the brand for the continuing disappointments the pandemic would create. We ended up using the purple branded umbrellas for the Autumn Glory parade, and you might say it was the perfect year for an umbrella because we had a torrential downpour off and on all day. Our turnout for the event was pretty remarkable, given our enrollment size and the weather. Later that night, we got to enjoy the effects of our light-up umbrellas at the annual band show, which that year was held at Northern High School. It was not a perfect Autumn Glory, and many were conflicted about it being held due to the pandemic, but everyone was trying to have life continue in some small way. Everyone had an array of opinions about the pandemic, adding more challenge and fatigue to the matter. Not a day went by that was dominated by conversations regarding masks, vaccines, and who was right and wrong; it was utterly exhausting.
The fall of 2021 enrollment was about the same as in 2020, at 50%. I was concerned about the finances, but it might be over if things didn’t improve the following year. Fortunately, the enrollment increased to 70% in 2022. This gave way to having the budget to produce one recital. We returned to the 2020 recital theme, Road Trip, because so much of it was planned, and it was a solid recital. We rebranded it to be 2022 Road Trip the Detour. It was fantastic to have an actual recital once again. The pandemic has taught me never to take what I do for granted. I don’t know when my last recital will be, but if I enjoy each one to its fullest if one day it ends, and I have to stop before a chance to address a recital crowd with a fond farewell speech, I’ll say, that whichever was my last recital was a good one to end on.”