DANCING THROUGH LIFE

A STORY FULL OF DANCE, DETERMINATION AND LIFE LESSONS

Meet Sandra Aiena Dixon

My mother took me to my first dance class in San Antonio Texas when I was 2 ½. It was love at first step.

When I was 14 we moved to California where I studied with world class teachers: Eugene Loring, Irina Kosmovska, Michael Panaieff, David Lichine and Tatiana Riabouchinska.

Along with excellent technique, my dance education provided important life skills.  I learned to focus and observe - to perfect with repetition and independent practice.  I knew dancing could keep me fit for life. Punctuality and appropriate dress and behavior were required.  I competed with others and myself.  I danced in front of an audience, and danced as if an audience was watching even when I was alone, because that made me do my best always.

When I was 15, I won a Ford Foundation Scholarship to San Francisco Ballet.  At 16 I landed my first equity job – “The King and I” with Ricardo Montalban and Florence Henderson.  I performed as both dancer and actress for the next 12 years.  While I never became famous, I was blessed to be doing work I loved.

Dancing is challenging and rewarding, exhilarating and exhausting and it has been with me all of my life.  However, you don’t have to be a professional dancer for dance to be an important part of life.

A few years after I left for California, my childhood dance friend left for New York and medical school.  We live on opposite ends of the continent.  The obstetrician and dancer reconnected when we both lost our moms.  She confided she had a weight problem.  I reminded her that she was an excellent child dancer and told her to get back to class.  She did.  Her skills were dormant not dead.  Dancing came back into her life when she needed it most.

When I became a dance teacher over 25 years ago, I discovered that the only thing I loved more than performing,  was passing dance along to other generations.  Can I dance like I did at 16?  Of course not!  However, my students can because I am training them the way my excellent teachers trained me.  I also love teaching adults who never danced before and are discovering for the first time how wonderful dance is.

A few of my students may choose to make dance their profession.  Most will not.  Either way, the benefit of a dance education will be with them wherever they go and whatever they do.  Dance will always be part of their lives.

Me and my dance mom