Just had the opportunity to perform classical ballet in front of a live audience for my first time in over 2 years. March 2020, when Covid-19 landed in NYC, I was in the final stages of rehabbing a knee injury after two PRP injections 6 months prior. After such a long hiatus from my craft, I had serious doubts that I would ever make it back. As I took to the enormous stage of the Sun Valley Pavillion for a pre-show warm-up and the audience began trickling into their seats, I was feeling nauseous and honestly just overflowing with performance anxiety. Then, something magical happened... I spotted a curious set of eyes in the front row of the audience. Those eyes belonged to my new friend Park who had arrived a half-hour early for the performance. I asked Park and his father @side.stitch.jake if he would like to come join me on stage for a little warm-up. What followed were probably some of the most revalatory pliés, tendus, and relevés of my entire career. Park reminded me that a performance isn't just about you(me), its about creating a connection and a relationship with complete strangers; all collectively celebrating the trancedant power of music and movement. I missed THAT. Happy to be back, but also ready to encourage future dancers to embrace mindfulness and reinstill the importance and value of being an informed artist in post-pandemic times.Thank you @balletsunvalley and @mhbledsoe for your commitment and passion for Arts and Artists. Thank you @artfactoryworker for running the show with grace and humor. Thank you to my brilliant partner @indiana_woodward who defined parnterships to me so beautifully before the show - that we are "family". Thank you to movement makers @lainehabony and @justin_peck for allowing Indiana and I to share your gifts. To @joanboada75 for your coaching... and to my fellow artists who all danced from their hearts, there souls, and their gut- Your performances were all of a new caliber. Bravi!! @giancarlo_perez_dancer @katherine_barkman @misakuranaga @_angelogreco_ @aaronrobison86 @sashadesola @ellemacy @waldylan @kyle.m.davis @xosarahryan @lterada @miles.pertl @connorlwalsh @karinagonzalezedwards 💇‍♂️ @takakohairstylist