Up on our wall in our studio hallway we have our values in block letters to remind parents, teachers and dancers of the concepts and lessons we hold most dear. Loyalty made the wall, but what is it? Why does it matter? What can we do, as a business and as teachers and mentors, to earn trust and loyalty from our dancers and families as well as pass along the lesson? 
Definitions found on loyalty include words like “support,” “devotion,” and “faithfulness.” It is often used in the context of patriotism, and can conjure mixed emotions when referencing a nation or a leader. But, let’s take it down much smaller than that and discuss how we can teach young people to be loyal to their friends. Boiled down, loyalty is showing a high level of respect by showing up, time and again, for those who invest in you.
Loyalty is relational. There are some words on our wall such as “Integrity” and “Responsibility” that deal much more with the individual, but, much like “Respect” and “Teamwork,” I consider loyalty part of a relationship. It requires a trust that, if I am loyal to you, you will be loyal to me, and the relationship will be mutually positive or beneficial. As with any relational concept, loyalty can be severely damaged when trust in the other is questioned, or when the relationship no longer seems positive. The key lesson we want our young dancers to walk away with, however, is how to define those moments and see the world with a little more clarity. Just because someone has made you mad it does not mean you end the relationship (try telling this to a group of teenagers… it’s a work in progress). A loyal friend comes back to the table, with humility, and is eager to resolve the issue. It isn’t always easy, but it is usually worth it.
Interested in joining us? Summer classes start June 18th!
Développé (to develop) 