We caught up with the brilliant and insightful John Ward a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, John thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Dance-

Imagine the sheer joy of being a dance instructor, a role resplendent with the power to evoke the deepest emotions and a vessel of historical storytelling through the art of movement. You are the guide on a thrilling odyssey where limbs and hearts are entwined in the tapestry of rhythm and melody. In this space, every step is a brushstroke on the canvas of time, through which the vibrant hues of bygone ages are revived, making each dancer a living conduit to the past.
The dance floor is where love meets passion, an intricate duet of leading and following.

It’s a realm where emotional barriers dissolve to the resonant beat of shared humanity. The art of teaching dance transcends mere movement; it’s about pushing boundaries, exploring the unfamiliar territories of one’s physical capabilities, and igniting the spirit within. As you coax, nurture, and refine the nascent steps of your protégés, you’re not only shaping dancers but molding sentient beings into more empathetic, expressive, and connected individuals.

Music-

The journey of making music is akin to a composer’s rollercoaster, soaring on highs of melodic epiphanies and plunging into lows of creative blocks. Revisiting certain songs can be like reopening chapters of an old diary – each note a doorway to past emotions, evoking memories that are sometimes swathed in pain, and other times in joy. This emotional pilgrimage, however, can be as cathartic as it is arduous.

In the sanctuary of self-written songs lies unparalleled freedom – a personal symphony where the soul’s deepest murmurs find voice. Here, artists craft their rawest feelings into harmonies and lyrics, pouring their innermost desires, fears, and dreams into a sonic canvas that is uniquely theirs. Such compositions aren’t just songs; they are confessions, celebrations, and sometimes, a silent scream for understanding or a whisper of hope. Music becomes a vulnerable yet powerful testament to one’s life, each chord an echo of the heart, resonating with the shared cadence of human experience.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is John David Ward, hailing from Killeen, Texas. I am the proud son of an American father and a Honduran mother, whose union of distinct cultures bestowed upon me a heritage rich in diversity and perspective. They instilled in me the best of both worlds, for which I am eternally grateful.

As a child, creativity became my haven—an unspoken language through which I could articulate the complexities of a young heart too timid for words. This awareness of self, initially a riddle, found refuge in athletics. My body, a vessel of untapped potential, thrived in the realm of sports. It wasn’t until my late 20s that ballroom dance enraptured me, revealing an intimate connection between movement and emotion.

Music, my faithful companion, resonates with a profound bond that traces the contours of my spirit. It echoes the pivotal moments that shaped me, a symphony sweetened by its own melancholic undertones.

In the art of musical expression and the discipline of dance instruction, I don’t merely share sounds or steps—I share life. I delve into the poignant, unspoken tales that each movement narrates. Whether through teaching dance or through the melodies I craft, I revel in unlocking the potential within others, ushering them towards self-discovery and expression through the creative arts.

I stand here today, a testament to the mentors who illuminated my path, reminding me that our journey is continuous, a marathon paced breath by breath. I move forward, one step at a time, eager to partake in the beautiful cycle of learning and guiding.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Freedom

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Be the example I wish I had at a young age.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.idahoballroomdance.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndavidward94/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.ward.58323/
• Twitter: https://x.com/johnmfward?s=11&t=ReT8_GDu9RC3qCNoH08iIw
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA2-Fi79JTc_49t2vCByGjA

Image Credits
Alex Lockett with Brewcity Flash Photography Instagram: @Brewcityflash