Buns, Backpacks and Ballerinas

How great is this photo- three of my best dancers making their way through the mean streets of NYC to their next dance class. These girls- Blair, Jenna and Sophie- are 17, 16 and 18 and loving every minute of it. They were in the city for a plié-packed week of dance classes and Broadway shows. With their topknots, leggings and backpacks, they are an adorable dancerly site to see. If you spend time between W. 42nd St. and W. 74th St. in Manhattan, you will undoubtedly have dancer spottings aplenty. That’s our corridor, yo.

I just loved this photo so much I had to share, they remind me so much of my younger self. Ah, those were the days- bolting up and downtown to take my morning ballet class at Steps, make a matinee with my half price tickets from the TKTS booth, and fit in that late afternoon jazz class at Broadway Dance Center (back when it was actually on Broadway). There’s nothing quite like a hot and sweaty New York City dance class in the middle of the summer. Strapping on your character shoes after warmup, making like Reinking or Rivera, dancing your guts out and peering out the windows at the people-filled streets below, dreaming of the day when the teachers (and the best dancers in class) know your name and you’ve earned your spot in the union. Nope, it’s never quite like that again. This photo takes me right back to it. Love.

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