Behind the Decisions: The Why Behind the Phoenix Way

As a parent, I know how much we all want to understand the choices that affect our children, especially when we care deeply about their experiences. Every season at Phoenix, I make hundreds of decisions, big and small, that shape how each dancer grows, performs, and connects as part of our Phoenix family.

And while those decisions might not always make sense from the outside, I can promise you one thing: I have a reason for everything. Nothing that happens at Phoenix is random. Every placement, every role, every correction, every opportunity is made carefully, thoughtfully, and with the whole picture in mind.

When my own kids have played soccer and tennis or trained in martial arts, I’ve found myself wondering the same things -  why certain choices are made, and what goes into them. It’s natural to want to understand when you care so deeply about your child’s journey. But what I’ve also learned, as both a parent and a dance teacher, is how easy it can be to fall into comparison and how quickly that can take away from what really matters: your child’s own progress.

Every dancer’s path looks different because every dancer is different. Some build confidence quietly, some lead with strength and presence, and others find their spark later and all of those journeys are equally valuable. One dancer’s opportunity doesn’t take away from another’s. There is room for everyone to shine here.

I don’t just look at what’s happening on stage, I see what happens in the studio. I see effort. I see consistency. I see growth, leadership, courage, teamwork, and potential. I see the dancers who listen, who try again after falling, who support their teammates, who come prepared every week, and who handle feedback with grace.

And sometimes, I may also know things you don’t know about those dancers, their personal circumstances, their confidence, or challenges they’re quietly overcoming. These things often guide how I support them, where I place them, or how I help them grow.

When I make decisions, I’m not just thinking about who looks the best where. I’m thinking about balance, height, safety, choreography, confidence, readiness, and who will benefit most from that moment. Sometimes a dancer is placed front and centre because I’m trying to build their leadership. Sometimes another is in the second row because I want them to develop confidence without pressure. Sometimes a flyer is chosen because of their strength, flexibility, and trust within the stunt group and not because they’re a “favourite.”

It’s my job to make those choices not because I’m playing favourites, but because I’m building something bigger than any single dancer. I’m building a team, and a home for every journey.

Parents see moments. I see patterns. Parents see positions. I see progress. Parents see today. I see where your dancer will be in a year or five.

The truth is, comparison steals joy. Not just from the dancers, but from the parents too. The moment we stop comparing, we start appreciating. And that’s where the real magic of Phoenix begins to shine: when we celebrate every dancer for where they are right now, not where someone else might be.

If you ever wonder why something has been decided, please know you can always ask me directly. I’ll always explain with honesty and care. But please trust that behind every choice, every formation, every role, every correction, every selection, there is thought, intention, purpose and heart always! 

I’m so proud of the community we’ve built. One that celebrates effort, growth, and heart above all else. When we rise together, true magic happens.