What’s in a Name? Why We’re Called Crescent Dance Collective
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” – William Shakespeare
This famous line from Romeo and Juliet suggests that the essence of a thing is far more important than its name. While I agree, I do believe words matter deeply, and I chose the name “Crescent Dance Collective” with intentionality.
“Crescent” is an identifying part of our name beyond simply the visual inspiration it provided for a logo. I have long loved the moon. What you might not know is that part of my spiritual practice revolves around the moon, around phases, around the seasons. CDC represents a significant phase in my journey, one of new beginnings and pushing through discomfort and uncertainty to reach the thing on the other side that I love—teaching.
Also, our chorus traditionally stands in the shape of a crescent. The chorus is often overlooked, but they are an integral part of any performance. They feed energy and encouragement to the featured dancers. They scaffold the featured dancers, giving them strength and somewhere to shine. This is one of my goals as a teacher—to provide the scaffolding for a space where my students feel encouraged, safe, strong, and beautiful.
The other deeply meaningful, intentionally chosen part of our name is the word “Collective,” which highlights the importance of both the group and the individuals who comprise it. Several of CDC’s values—especially “collaborative atmosphere” and “mutual respect”—outline how important it is to me that CDC be a place where everyone feels heard and valued. At the same time, “personalized instruction” and “self-expression” are also part of our values, because I believe empowered individuals together make a confident, gracious, kind team.
So, what’s in a name? Shakespeare suggests that a rose would still be a rose, no matter what we call it. And while I believe that the heart of our dance community is defined by our actions, not just our name, “Crescent Dance Collective” holds deep meaning for me. It reflects growth, connection, and shared journeys.
Crescent Dance Collective is more than a name—it’s a reflection of the individuals I hope we can be, together.
