The past few days have been insanity. From emceeing Toronto International Youth Dance Festival, creating a new business, leading dance workouts, teaching tap dance and hip hop classes, plus choreographing six pieces for dance competition… my plate (and brain) are extremely busy.

For you learners out there, 🎓 here’s five lessons from my intense week:

1. DETAILS. Paying a little attention can make a massive difference!
2. “I can’t” is not an answer. Just try. “I can’t” is the most self-defeating word in the English language. Just TRY! What if you can? What if what you think is impossible, IS possible? Shouldn’t you at least find out?
3. What you focus on expands. What you think about, you bring about.
4. Stay hydrated. Make time for water breaks.
5. Don’t be so focused on the steps that you forget to actually DANCE.

What else can you add to this list?

– Shawn Byfield

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DEALING WITH A SETBACK?

It’s true: They suck.

The crappy part of life WILL happen, to everyone. Stop, and take whatever time you need to recognize and embrace all the crappy feels that go with it.

But there’s Hope! Because when you’re ready, a time WILL come when you wake up, and decide you want to keep moving forward.

Don’t force it, it WILL come. When that time arrives, don’t let your circumstances determine your decisions… let your DECISIONS determine your circumstances.
Your future can be whatever you choose to make it. Because what happens in the trenches that determines how you get to the mountaintop.

You got this!

– Shawn B

As a sought-after presenter, choreographer, coach and entrepreneur, Shawn Byfield’s unique perspective is enjoyed by thousands who train and mentor with him every year. To start learning, yearning, movin’ or groovin’… contact Shawn before today ends.

All smiles at the Dora Mavor Moore Awards! What’s the Doras you ask?

Just like the Tony Awards, or the Academy Awards, Toronto has an awards event run by TAPA. The Doras recognize theatre, opera, and dance professionals on and off the stage.If you didn’t know, the secret is out… I’m a Juror for this past season. What do I do? Just like members of The Academy Awards watch all the films, I personally attend all the registered shows, provide feedback, and go through a voting process, which determines whether or not your show gets nominated for a Dora Award. It’s a time consuming job… but hey, someone’s gotta do it!It was my pleasure serving such an incredibly gifted community. Congratulations to EVERY show nominated! Keep making art. You are beautiful. You deserve the applause. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next. 🎭#doras2019 👊🏾- Shawn Byfield