Last weekend at Mama Rees was one of those teaching stretches that fills me up in all the best ways. We offered free classes both nights, and the room had that perfect mix of curious beginners, returning dancers, and people who wandered in to grab a drink or play some pool. We kicked things off with West Coast Swing on Friday, easing everyone into that stretchy, smooth connection that makes the dance feel like a conversation. Then, Saturday’s Two-Step class had a totally different energy… Upbeat, ready to move, and full of people who were excited to try something new. Two Step always seems to click more naturally for most, and by the end of the hour the whole room was gliding around like they’d been practicing for weeks. After each class, DJ Wren kept the floor alive for the free dance, and seeing brand-new dancers jump in with big smiles and zero hesitation reminded me exactly why I love doing this.

Once the weekend wrapped up and I finally had a quiet moment to myself, I dove into learning some new choreography. This week’s personal challenges were Going Out Like That and part B of Bulletproof. My brain definitely had to fire on all cylinders — lots of rewinding, lots of “wait, do that again,” and then that magical moment when everything clicks. It felt good to be the student again, pushing myself, adding new material to my toolbox, and remembering that growth doesn’t stop just because you’re the one holding the mic most days.