Through a Different Lens: Seeing the Dance Studio in a New Light
Sometimes we have to step away from what we love to see what we've been missing.
By Ms. Jennifer Hawkins | Starbound Performers | Starbound Unscripted Podcast — Episode 32
Have you ever looked at something you've seen a thousand times before, only to suddenly notice something completely different?
Maybe it's a familiar place, a relationship, or even a business you've spent years building. Everything appears to be the same, but something about your perspective has changed.
That's exactly what's been happening to me.
Over the past several months, I've been navigating some unexpected and life-changing challenges with my eyesight. Multiple surgeries, countless doctors' appointments, additional testing, and a great deal of uncertainty have forced me to slow down in ways I never anticipated.
For someone who has been teaching, coaching, and building a performing arts business for years, slowing down doesn't come naturally.
I love being in the studio. I love watching our dancers grow, encouraging our teachers, connecting with families, and celebrating those magical moments when a student accomplishes something they once thought impossible.
But lately, I've had to experience much of that from a distance.
And something unexpected has happened.
I'm beginning to see Starbound Performers through a completely different lens.
🎧 Listen to Episode 32 of Starbound Unscripted
Through a Different Lens: Seeing the Dance Studio in a New Light
Some of what I've noticed has made me incredibly proud. Some has made me smile. Other things have frustrated me. And a few experiences have absolutely broken my heart.
But every one of them has taught me something worth sharing.
When a Dancer Doesn't Feel Like a Star
At Starbound Performers, our philosophy has always been simple:
"Where Every Performer is a Star."
We believe every child deserves to feel loved, welcomed, respected, and included.
These aren't just words we share with families. They're values we work to teach in our classrooms every single day.
That's why a recent conversation with a dance parent was especially difficult.
She shared that her daughter had walked away from an experience at our studio feeling excluded by some friends she'd danced with during the previous season.
My heart sank.
After learning more about the situation, I discovered that the dancers involved had been transitioning between classes and returning to the dance floor to rehearse for an upcoming performance.
They had acknowledged their friend and said hello, but they were also following their instructor's directions to return to practice.
The dancer who was visiting had hoped for more time to reconnect and visit with her friends. When that didn't happen, she felt left out.
I don't share this story to blame anyone.
In fact, I believe there's an important lesson on both sides.
The dancers returning to rehearsal may have felt they were doing exactly what they were supposed to do. The dancer hoping for connection experienced that same moment differently.
Our intentions and someone else's experience aren't always the same thing.
That realization stayed with me.
We immediately took the opportunity to revisit the importance of kindness, friendship, and inclusion with our dancers.
Not because anyone needed to be embarrassed or singled out, but because these are lessons we can never teach too often.
In Episode 31 of Starbound Unscripted, we talked about why a simple hello matters.
This experience reminded me that a hello is only the beginning.
Belonging requires us to notice people, make room for others, and understand that sometimes someone needs a little more encouragement than we realize.
It also means teaching children to communicate their feelings, respect others' responsibilities, and extend grace when a situation doesn't unfold the way they hoped.
As teachers, parents, and leaders, we have a responsibility to keep nurturing those skills.
Because every child deserves to feel like a star, not just when they're performing onstage, but in the everyday moments when friendships are being formed.
Sometimes the Weeds Are Right in Front of Us
During one of my brief visits to the studio, I pulled into our complex and noticed something I hadn't paid much attention to before.
Weeds.
And not just a few little weeds. Some had grown much taller than they should have!
I sat there thinking, "How did we let this happen?"
Now, I realize that landscaping may not seem like a particularly profound life lesson.
But for me, it was.
For years, I've taught dancers that presentation matters. We talk about uniforms, grooming, posture, preparation, and making a positive first impression.
Yet here I was, looking at an area around our own studio complex that clearly needed attention.
We've reached out to our landscaping friends to address the problem, but the experience made me think about something bigger.
What other weeds have we stopped noticing?
Maybe it's an outdated announcement.
A cluttered waiting area.
A classroom routine that no longer works.
A family that isn't receiving information in a way that makes sense to them.
Or a student who quietly needs a little more attention.
When we see something every day, we can become so accustomed to it that we stop noticing.
But someone walking through our doors for the first time sees everything with fresh eyes.
It's a reminder that excellence isn't limited to what happens on the dance floor.
It's the entire experience we create.
Learning That the Show Must Go On
One of the most emotional parts of this season has been watching our dancers and staff continue without me.
Fall performances, rehearsals, special events, and classroom activities have continued while I've been home recovering and attending medical appointments.
And I'll admit, it's been hard.
I miss the excitement of performances. I miss the hugs, the laughter, the nervous energy backstage, and the joy of watching our dancers shine.
One of the sweetest reminders of what makes Starbound so special came during our Boo Fest performance. While I couldn't be there in person, our dancers took a moment to send me a special hello.
Seeing their smiling faces and hearing their voices meant more than they could possibly know. It reminded me that even when I'm not physically present, the love and connections we've built continue to shine.
But I've also learned something beautiful.
The show must go on, with or without me.
Our dancers have continued dancing.
Our teachers have continued teaching.
Our staff has continued leading.
And our families have continued supporting their performers.
Has everything been perfect? Of course not.
But watching our team carry the mission of Starbound forward has been an incredible reminder of what strong leadership really means.
A great leader doesn't build an organization that can only succeed when they're present.
A great leader helps develop people who can carry the mission forward.
I'm especially grateful for Ms. KayDee and our wonderful instructors and staff who have continued creating meaningful experiences for our students.
Sometimes stepping away allows us to recognize strengths in others that we may have taken for granted.
And sometimes the greatest evidence of successful leadership is watching others shine without needing to stand in the spotlight ourselves.
Are We Communicating or Simply Sending Information?
Here's another eye-opening lesson.
Communication!
Like many businesses, we share information through emails, announcements, calendars, and our BAND app.
And yet, we occasionally hear from families who are unsure about what's happening.
My first instinct has sometimes been to think, "But we've already shared that information!"
However, looking at things from a different perspective has made me ask a better question.
Are we communicating in a way that truly serves our families?
There's a difference between sending information and making sure it's easy to find, understand, and act upon.
Maybe we need shorter messages.
Maybe we need clearer reminders.
Maybe we need to reinforce important announcements in class.
Or perhaps we need to ask families what communication methods work best for them.
We won't always reach everyone perfectly, but we can keep improving.
And that's what leadership is about.
Listening, learning, adjusting, and continuing to grow.
When Someone Else Sees What You've Built
Just when I was finding all these things that needed improvement, something unexpected happened.
I received a phone call from two gentlemen who had spent time researching dance organizations and business models.
They had discovered Starbound Performers and were impressed with what they found.
Our structure.
Our programs.
Our philosophy.
Our business model.
We spent more than an hour discussing the many aspects of our organization, and they expressed an interest in visiting us in person.
The timing couldn't have been more meaningful.
Here I was, looking at everything that needed fixing.
And they were looking at everything we'd accomplished.
It made me realize something important.
Both perspectives can be true.
We can have areas that need improvement and still have something extraordinary.
We can make mistakes and still be making a difference.
We can recognize our challenges while celebrating our accomplishments.
Sometimes, as business owners and leaders, we become so focused on what needs fixing that we forget to appreciate what we've already built.
That phone call reminded me to celebrate the good.
To recognize our staff.
To appreciate our families.
And to remember that the years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication have created something meaningful.
Sometimes we need someone standing on the outside to help us recognize the wonderful things happening on the inside.
A Personal Journey Through a Different Lens
As many of you know, my eyesight has changed significantly since my medical emergency earlier this year.
My right eye sustained damage, and my pupil is now permanently dilated. I'm preparing to try a special contact lens that may help manage some of the effects.
At the same time, doctors are continuing to investigate the headaches I've been experiencing through additional testing, including MRIs and bloodwork.
There have been new treatments, medications, and more appointments than I ever imagined having on my calendar.
Some days are frustrating.
Some days are exhausting.
And some days I simply wish I could return to my normal routine.
But I'm also grateful.
Grateful for the vision I still have.
Grateful for the medical professionals helping me.
Grateful for my family and friends.
And grateful for the incredible people who continue making Starbound Performers such a special place.
I've learned that gratitude and frustration can exist at the same time.
We can appreciate our blessings while acknowledging that life is difficult.
And we can continue finding joy even when our circumstances aren't what we'd hoped for.
A Small Pouring Kit and a Powerful Lesson
One of the most meaningful experiences I've had recently was visiting New Vision for Independence, one of our local charity partners for the 2026 Central Florida Light the World Giving Machine initiative.
New Vision for Independence helps individuals who are blind or have low vision develop the skills, confidence, and resources needed to live more independently.
During our visit, one of my friends participated in a demonstration.
He was blindfolded and asked to pour water into a mug.
First, he had to locate the water.
Then he had to find the mug.
Both were positioned on a special mat designed to help contain spills.
And then came the challenge of pouring the water.
How do you know when the mug is getting full if you can't see the water level?
After his initial attempt, the team introduced us to a special device that attaches to the mug and produces an audible signal as the water approaches the top.
Such a simple tool.
Yet such a meaningful difference!
It was a wonderful reminder that adaptive tools and training can help individuals accomplish everyday tasks with greater confidence and independence.
And here's what makes this story especially meaningful.
A Pouring Kit will be available for an $18 donation through this year's Central Florida Light the World Giving Machines!
After seeing the demonstration firsthand, I have a greater appreciation for how practical and valuable that little tool can be.
The Central Florida Giving Machines will be at Winter Garden Village from December 9–30, 2026.
Your gift can help provide resources that support independence for someone who is blind or has low vision.
This experience was particularly meaningful because of my own eyesight journey. But it also reminded me that everyone's experience is different, and there is so much we can learn by listening to others and understanding the tools and skills they use.
Sometimes the most meaningful gifts aren't the biggest or most expensive.
Sometimes they're the little things that help someone accomplish something important.
Watch our pouring kit demonstration here: [Insert Video Link or Embed]
Chocolate Break: A Taste of a Different Perspective
If you've listened to Starbound Unscripted, you know we love our Chocolate Break!
And this week's Chocolate Break comes with a little challenge.
Choose two or three different kinds of chocolate.
With a friend or family member helping you, and after checking for any food allergies, close your eyes while safely seated and taste a small piece.
Can you identify the chocolate without seeing it?
Pay attention to the texture, sweetness, and flavor.
Did you notice something you might otherwise have overlooked?
This activity isn't about recreating the experience of blindness. It's simply a fun way to explore how our senses work together.
And it reminds us that sometimes changing the way we experience something familiar helps us discover something new.
This Week's Starbound Challenge: "Now I See!"
There's a beautiful line from the hymn Amazing Grace that says:
"Was blind, but now I see."
For me, those words have taken on an additional meaning during this season of life.
Beyond their original spiritual meaning, they remind me of moments when our understanding grows and we begin to recognize things we previously overlooked.
This week, I'd love to encourage teachers, dancers, and families to try a simple sensory exploration activity.
The Mystery Bag: Place familiar objects inside a bag and identify them through touch alone.
Follow the Sound: While safely seated, close your eyes and listen for gentle sounds coming from different directions.
Dance Through Texture: Explore different materials and create movements inspired by how they feel. Soft fabric might inspire flowing movement, while rough textures might inspire sharper movements.
These activities can encourage curiosity, creativity, listening, and sensory awareness. They can also be adapted to suit different students' needs.
But here's the bigger challenge.
After completing your activity, take a moment to consider the people and experiences around you.
Is there someone you've overlooked?
Is there someone who needs a little extra encouragement?
Is there something that needs your attention?
Is there someone doing something wonderful that you haven't taken the time to recognize?
Sometimes the greatest changes begin when we simply start noticing.
Seeing the Stars in a New Light
I never imagined that an unexpected medical emergency involving my eyesight would teach me so much about leadership, kindness, communication, and gratitude.
But here I am.
Learning.
Growing.
And seeing things differently.
I've learned that we can always improve the culture we're creating.
I've learned that little details matter.
I've learned to trust the wonderful people around me.
I've learned that communication requires understanding.
And I've learned that sometimes we need to celebrate what we've accomplished instead of focusing only on what needs to change.
Most importantly, I've been reminded that every person deserves to feel seen, valued, and loved.
At Starbound Performers, we believe every performer is a star.
And perhaps one of the greatest lessons I'm learning is that sometimes we need to change the lens through which we're looking to recognize just how brightly those stars are shining.
Sometimes a different perspective doesn't change what's in front of us. It changes what we're finally able to recognize.
Until next time, keep dancing, keep growing, keep spreading kindness, and never stop looking for the good!
With love,
Miss Jennifer Hawkins
Starbound Performers
Host, Starbound Unscripted
Listen to Episode 32 of Starbound Unscripted
Through a Different Lens: Seeing the Dance Studio in a New Light
Join Miss Jennifer for a heartfelt conversation about dance studio culture, leadership, gratitude, and discovering new perspectives during life's unexpected challenges.
🎧 Listen to Episode 32 of Starbound Unscripted
⭐ Starbound Performers — Where Every Performer is a Star.
Visit us at www.starboundperformers.com
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