Reflection

The Music and The Mirror

At the inception of this study, I was both excited and intimidated. I liked Frank Dance from the moment I met him and I desperately wanted him to think I was smart and capable. This is the case with most student teacher relationships. Humans are born with a curiosity and desire to learn. The environments we experience either inspire or discourage our growth. Gifted educators make the most of the opportunities to nurture intellectual development in their students. Dance is a master teacher who uses the techniques of humor, story telling, relationship building, technology, and intellectual prowess to invite students into his domain. It is a world we want to join largely because he is there.

The evolution of this study could be described as serendipitous. My knowledge of Dr. Dance was based on the opinions of several students and Digital Media Studies instructors. I had no idea just how much we would have in common or how much I would enjoy the experience of getting to know him.

Dance and I are blessed to come from families with supportive and involved parents that believe in education. This sustenance was critical to the success of each of us and words can hardly describe the debt we owe. However, we are passing this gift along to our own children, which is what our parents probably expected all along. Both twice married, we deeply appreciate the second chance to get it right with a person well suited and who is guaranteed to make us laugh every day. In a curious twist of fate, it happens we each married a former student. We are dog people, Dance with a pair of Rhodesian Ridgebacks and I a pair of Coton de Tulear. We both like to cook, read, and we love technology that can make our professional and personal lives more productive and effective.

Ethical research practice requires me to admit and discuss my biases. At the beginning of the study, I realized I would be reporting on the activities of a successful professor at the same institution as I currently work. I had gained his permission very early on to create my report in a web page format. This meant my findings would be available to anyone with an Internet connection and a search engine. I was concerned about how I would handle any information that could be perceived as negative. As any human, I am sure that Dr. Dance has some annoying habits and some bad days. I just did not observe any evidence of this.

Dance is the consummate professional. His intellectual output cannot be challenged. His appearance demonstrates and commands respect. His demeanor is one of advocacy for and invitation into the realm of intellectual pursuits. He urges students to speak and write like scholars. He loves his discipline and he fuels a similar passion in his students. I seek similarities between us because of my admiration for Dance. I hope to one day be as accomplished in my profession. However, the single greatest aspiration I emerge from this study with is to face each day with the kind of grace I have observed in Frank Dance and to have the kind of positive impact on the scores of students he has had over his 51 year career.

From A Chorus Line

The Music and The Mirror

Cassie:
(spoken) I can't get a job Zach… God, you sound like all my friends - my fans. Acting like I'm a star and don't know it - when the truth is I never even came close and nobody has the guts to tell me. Well, it would be nice to be a star… But I'm not, I'm a dancer.

(singing)
GIVE ME SOMEBODY TO DANCE FOR,
GIVE ME SOMEBODY TO SHOW.
LET ME WAKE UP IN THE MORNING TO FIND
I HAVE SOMEWHERE EXCITING TO GO.

Zach:
So, you're going through a slow period, it happens to everyone. Something will happen.

Cassie:
That's what I kept telling myself in California, and I kept telling myself that and telling myself that… Well… Nothing will happen. I can't act.

Zach:
What?

Cassie:
I can't act. And there I am in California supposed to be this actress. Well, it didn't take me long to find out I can't act… Didn't take Hollywood very long either.

Zach:
You didn't work out there?

Cassie:
Oh, sure… A rotten part in a so-so film - part ended up getting cut, thank God - I was a go-go dancer in a TV movie of the week. Let's see - Oh, yeah - commercials, I almost got to squeeze a roll of toilet paper but I lost out in the finals. Isn't' that something? Seventeen years in the business and I end up flunking toilet paper squeezing? And I was a dancing Band-Aid - that was fun… We had an earthquake… And I got a terrific tan - and surely you must have heard about…

Zach:
I did hear you were going out with some big agent. Being a bit wild, running around, carrying on…

Cassie:
Well, when you're a woman of leisure what else is there to do but get a bit wild and run around? Not to mention getting fat - and going crazy - Which is why I came back to New York and which is why I am here today, Zach, old dear… Little pussy cat. I need a job.

(singing)
TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT I CAN BELIEVE IN.
TO HAVE SOMETHING TO BE.
USE ME... CHOOSE ME

Zach:
I just can't see you dancing in the chorus, Cassie.

Cassie:
Why not?

Zach:
Listen, if you need some money, call my business manager.

Cassie:
Well, sure I need money. Who doesn't? But I don't need a handout. I need a job. I need a job and I don't know any other way to say it. Do you want me to say it again?

Zach:
No.

Cassie:
Fine, then we got that far. Look, I haven't worked in two years, not really. There's nothing left for me to do. So - I'm putting myself on the line. (Stepping to the line) Yes I'm putting myself on your line. I don't want to wait on tables. And what I really don't want to do is teach other people how to do what I should be doing myself…

(singing)
GOD, I'M A DANCER,
A DANCER DANCES!

GIVE ME SOMEBODY TO DANCE WITH.
GIVE ME A PLACE TO FIT IN
HELP ME RETURN TO THE WORLD OF LIVING
BY SHOWING ME HOW TO BEGIN.

PLAY ME THE MUSIC,
GIVE ME A CHANCE TO COME THROUGH.
ALL I EVER NEEDED WAS THE MUSIC, AND THE MIRROR,
AND THE CHANCE TO DANCE FOR YOU.

GIVE ME A JOB AND YOU INSTANTLY GET ME INVOLVED.
IF YOU GIVE ME A JOB,
THEN THE REST OF THE CRAP WILL GET SOLVED.
PUT ME TO WORK,
YOU WOULD THINK THAT BY NOW I'M ALLOWERD.
I'LL DO YOU PROUD!

THROW ME A ROPE TO GRAB ON TO.
HELP ME TO PROVE THAT I'M STRONG.
GIVE ME THE CHANCE TO LOOK FORWARD TO SAYIN':
"HEY, LISTEN THEY'RE PLAYIN' MY SONG."

PLAY ME THE MUSIC.
GIVE ME A CHANCE TO COME THROUGH.
ALL I EVER NEEDED WAS THE MUSIC, AND THE MIRROR,
AND A CHANCE TO DANCE....

(Mirrors are now turned, dance section)

PLAY ME THE MUSIC.
PLAY ME THE MUSIC.
PLAY ME THE MUSIC.
GIVE ME A CHANCE TO COME THROUGH.
ALL I EVER NEEDED WAS THE MUSIC, AND THE MIRROR,
AND A CHANCE TO DANCE....

(Flying mirrors come in. Dance section)

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