Monday, November 29, 2010
DanceQuote4
"There is no can't in Ballet. (As in, I can't do that.) There is only "come back tomorrow when you can"."
- Quote from Russian instructor's former teacher of the Russian Perm school.
- Quote from Russian instructor's former teacher of the Russian Perm school.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Full of Thanks
This day of Thanksgiving, (the truth of the word that so many people have seemed to have realized this year) I am full of thanks.
I don't need to be overly-eloquent or write a lot about it. My feelings are deep and content.
I started ballet at age 11.
Age 11!
I fell in love with ballet from the moment I started. There was a pull, a charm. I remember my first class and the teacher demonstrating a simple changement. I was entrance, flabbergasted. My concentration on her feet is still ingrained in my memory. How was she doing this? How was it humanly possibly?!
Secretly I wanted to think that I could do this fantastic thing, ballet - even though I was quite frank in my mind about it being a long shot. I had started ballet to attempt to achieve some degree of flexibility, (my hands only reached my knees!) and I remember a conversation with my mom about it being a hobby and how the little school from where I was taking classes was only to facilitate a hobby and not to make "prima ballerinas". I agreed with her, and yet there were tears in my eyes and an ache in my heart that couldn't be pushed away. Subconsciously, there was only one thing that I felt I was meant to do. That's pretty powerful, you know.
Ballet class for me was a complete oasis. I thought of nothing else - everything else melted away into oblivion. It took several years for me to become serious and at that time I had no hope whatsoever of achieving my goals. We lived in an area far from good schools and NYC. And so a year ago was a dark time. I had no idea where I was going or what I would do - I saw no future. It was blank, empty, and seemingly hopeless. My tears were not in vain, however. Things fell into place so fast, and I could not have planned them better if I had wanted to. There were roadblocks to overcome, but now I find myself in a professional school being taught by phenomenal teachers - receiving wonderful instruction every day. The sacrifices I make and have made for this pale in comparison to what I am experiencing and learning. I pinch myself by the minute - as it is still surreal, and just try to work harder every single day - in the attempt to achieve the height of coordination, grace, flexibility, strength, power - in short, perfection. And what it took to make it here, now - and what it is going to take to continue to grow and climb - there are no words for it.
There is only humble gratitude for what I have - right now. Words cannot express it - only feeling - the same feeling that is used to convey this human athletic and artistic expression on the stage. One day!
Happy Thanksgiving and gratitude to all for their love and support. Enjoy the long weekend and time off!
I don't need to be overly-eloquent or write a lot about it. My feelings are deep and content.
I started ballet at age 11.
Age 11!
I fell in love with ballet from the moment I started. There was a pull, a charm. I remember my first class and the teacher demonstrating a simple changement. I was entrance, flabbergasted. My concentration on her feet is still ingrained in my memory. How was she doing this? How was it humanly possibly?!
Secretly I wanted to think that I could do this fantastic thing, ballet - even though I was quite frank in my mind about it being a long shot. I had started ballet to attempt to achieve some degree of flexibility, (my hands only reached my knees!) and I remember a conversation with my mom about it being a hobby and how the little school from where I was taking classes was only to facilitate a hobby and not to make "prima ballerinas". I agreed with her, and yet there were tears in my eyes and an ache in my heart that couldn't be pushed away. Subconsciously, there was only one thing that I felt I was meant to do. That's pretty powerful, you know.
Ballet class for me was a complete oasis. I thought of nothing else - everything else melted away into oblivion. It took several years for me to become serious and at that time I had no hope whatsoever of achieving my goals. We lived in an area far from good schools and NYC. And so a year ago was a dark time. I had no idea where I was going or what I would do - I saw no future. It was blank, empty, and seemingly hopeless. My tears were not in vain, however. Things fell into place so fast, and I could not have planned them better if I had wanted to. There were roadblocks to overcome, but now I find myself in a professional school being taught by phenomenal teachers - receiving wonderful instruction every day. The sacrifices I make and have made for this pale in comparison to what I am experiencing and learning. I pinch myself by the minute - as it is still surreal, and just try to work harder every single day - in the attempt to achieve the height of coordination, grace, flexibility, strength, power - in short, perfection. And what it took to make it here, now - and what it is going to take to continue to grow and climb - there are no words for it.
There is only humble gratitude for what I have - right now. Words cannot express it - only feeling - the same feeling that is used to convey this human athletic and artistic expression on the stage. One day!
Happy Thanksgiving and gratitude to all for their love and support. Enjoy the long weekend and time off!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Alive
I feel so alive - it's amazing. I got home early - at about 4:15. I had to wait a bit for a bus, actually, because buses don't run frequently in the early afternoon (2:30-ish)! A mice rehearsal was canceled that was supposed to be from 2:45-3:45, and as there were no other classes to be taken, I headed home. I got a bus at about 3:15 and there were only 30 passengers. It was nice to ride in actual daylight (albeit an overcast sky) and notice landmarks of the route - and other people outside. Walking, talking, waiting for school buses, children playing outside - I could actually feel connected to the outside world - or should I say, human (sad as it may seem)! Interesting sensation.
Once I got home, I was actually walking in daylight still. It was very invigorating. I'm so used waking up in the dark and coming home in the dark that this was a sharp and noticeable contrast to my usual routine. And once in awhile, that's really nice! It's a luxury to be home this early - now it's dark and 5:15, so the daylight magic is kind of gone, but at least I have a whole evening ahead of me! Time to eat dinner and do laundry, and then make sure I'm all ready for tomorrow. I have a really long day ahead of me tomorrow - we get out at 6:15, unfortunately. I need to catch a train home for Thanksgiving tomorrow evening (and psych up for braving the crowds & chaos!). So why does it have to get dark so early?! But it was a nice day and afternoon.
Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?
Once I got home, I was actually walking in daylight still. It was very invigorating. I'm so used waking up in the dark and coming home in the dark that this was a sharp and noticeable contrast to my usual routine. And once in awhile, that's really nice! It's a luxury to be home this early - now it's dark and 5:15, so the daylight magic is kind of gone, but at least I have a whole evening ahead of me! Time to eat dinner and do laundry, and then make sure I'm all ready for tomorrow. I have a really long day ahead of me tomorrow - we get out at 6:15, unfortunately. I need to catch a train home for Thanksgiving tomorrow evening (and psych up for braving the crowds & chaos!). So why does it have to get dark so early?! But it was a nice day and afternoon.
Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?
Monday, November 22, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Casting!
I'm excited to let you know that as of this afternoon casting is out for "who's performing what, when" for the 5 performances of Nutcracker! Quick FYI, for those who have asked, I'm performing mice all 5 shows. I was happy to receive this info in the office earlier today when I was working there for my work/study. I got our tickets then, and hope you will call and get your tickets this week as well! With the current sale (until the 30th) a balcony ticket is $20, orchestra is $30, and premium seats (rows D through J center) are $40. Be sure to take advantage of the low prices before they go back up!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
DanceQuote3
"You don't have to know about ballet to enjoy it. All you have to do is look at it."
-Edwin Denby
-Edwin Denby
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
DanceQuote2
"If you dance, you dance because you
have to. Every dancer hurts, you know.
Go within every day and find the inner strength so
that the world will not blow your candle out.
...
I always believed that if you set out to
be successful, then you already were."
- Katherine Dunham
have to. Every dancer hurts, you know.
Go within every day and find the inner strength so
that the world will not blow your candle out.
...
I always believed that if you set out to
be successful, then you already were."
- Katherine Dunham
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Daily schedule, Nutcracker rehearsals, and more
So, things have been busy for me lately. Everyone has been in rehearsals for the Nutcracker. I'm doing mice. It's been a lot of fun, and is very physical. After the morning classes there are rehearsals and supplemental classes for those not in rehearsal. I would not give up the coaching classes for all the other rehearsals! We have been lucky to have Ms. Kirkland teaching variations. It's a bit surreal... I pinch myself most of the time. In mime classes the teacher has given a lot of information about the Nutcracker - the time period (most likely for this version, 1805), the people (German) - how they behaved, interacted - how special Christmas was to them, and more. It's been invaluable information, whether you are in the party scene of the ballet or not. The production is going to be a splendidly authentic one, and I hope everyone will go see it! Everyone learned most of the choreography, and casting was done after that. It's been an enormous amount of work for the directors, who explained this week the number of people that they've had to cast - including some children - totals to 200 or so people - an incredible number seeing that most companies such as ABT, for example, have a standing number of 70 or so people at one time. They've had to make sure that everything is well organized and fair according to talent and ability. Everyone's working hard in a cohesive manner and there will be a great result.
My days are pretty full - I get up at 5:30 and usually get into the city by 7:40 (by bus). From there I take the subway and get to the studios a little after 8. My first class - a strengthening class called core dynamics starts at 8:45. The technique (ballet) class is at 9:30, ending usually at 11, but sometimes 11:15. Pointe is at 11:15 or 11:30, depending on when technique finishes up. After that, we have lunch. Sometimes it's really short - up to half an hour, and then sometimes an hour or hour and 1/2. Yesterday we had a very long break. It was nice. In the afternoons we have rehearsals and supplemental classes - learning variations from ballets, honing in on aspects of the Nutcracker in mime class, or even drama classes. I get home before 7 - if I'm lucky. (It's a 10 minute walk/run home from the bus stop.) If it's a work study night I get home a little bit before 9. Then I eat dinner, shower, and prepare for the next day - organize clothes and food, etc. I try to get to bed at a reasonable time - definitely before 11. (I'm only one of a few commuter students in the whole school (probably can count on 1 hand commuter students), but perhaps eventually I won't be commuting so far. The new bus I'm taking is under an hour, and is a really nice commuter bus, nice drivers too. I take the subway in addition to that, but it's a breeze as I did it every day in the summer.)
So... it's not really glamorous. Haha. You work your butt off all day (or at least I do) and make a lot of sacrifices. It's gets glamorous when you finally perform - which is coming up soon! It pays off, of course, for I saw definite improvement this week, which was encouraging. It's all one step at a time. The program, instructors, and curriculum are all amazing, and I'll share more about what they are teaching me, (most wouldn't be understandable to the non-dancer - too technical) after I give it some thought. Most days I get into bed and look at my clock, which also has the date, saying "oh, so today was the 11th"... And the days pass by really quickly that way - not too quickly, but they don't drag on by, either. Hardly!
More to come on the Nutcracker and my activities... oh yes, in the season of hack and sneeze, stay well!
My days are pretty full - I get up at 5:30 and usually get into the city by 7:40 (by bus). From there I take the subway and get to the studios a little after 8. My first class - a strengthening class called core dynamics starts at 8:45. The technique (ballet) class is at 9:30, ending usually at 11, but sometimes 11:15. Pointe is at 11:15 or 11:30, depending on when technique finishes up. After that, we have lunch. Sometimes it's really short - up to half an hour, and then sometimes an hour or hour and 1/2. Yesterday we had a very long break. It was nice. In the afternoons we have rehearsals and supplemental classes - learning variations from ballets, honing in on aspects of the Nutcracker in mime class, or even drama classes. I get home before 7 - if I'm lucky. (It's a 10 minute walk/run home from the bus stop.) If it's a work study night I get home a little bit before 9. Then I eat dinner, shower, and prepare for the next day - organize clothes and food, etc. I try to get to bed at a reasonable time - definitely before 11. (I'm only one of a few commuter students in the whole school (probably can count on 1 hand commuter students), but perhaps eventually I won't be commuting so far. The new bus I'm taking is under an hour, and is a really nice commuter bus, nice drivers too. I take the subway in addition to that, but it's a breeze as I did it every day in the summer.)
So... it's not really glamorous. Haha. You work your butt off all day (or at least I do) and make a lot of sacrifices. It's gets glamorous when you finally perform - which is coming up soon! It pays off, of course, for I saw definite improvement this week, which was encouraging. It's all one step at a time. The program, instructors, and curriculum are all amazing, and I'll share more about what they are teaching me, (most wouldn't be understandable to the non-dancer - too technical) after I give it some thought. Most days I get into bed and look at my clock, which also has the date, saying "oh, so today was the 11th"... And the days pass by really quickly that way - not too quickly, but they don't drag on by, either. Hardly!
More to come on the Nutcracker and my activities... oh yes, in the season of hack and sneeze, stay well!
Train ride
It was a Saturday in October when found myself on a train ride home, rather bored and realizing that I had seemed to have neglected the fact that I would be taking a train ride and therefore would need some form of an occupation - i.e., a book. The boredom soon ended as a large group of girls from ages 10/11 to 13, it seemed entered the train with parents or guardians. There must have been about 10 girls or so - and they were loud, causing many in the train to crane their necks repeatedly back towards the end of the car which they had just filled. I didn't have too much more to travel when I began to record their antics via notebook. The girls were obviously well endowed financially, demonstrated by both actions (blunt statements) and appearance, with each well dressed girl fussing over their own personal blackberry. They were unafraid to make noise, though let me specify it was "just being kids" and not spoiled behavior, though it could have been controlled a bit - laughing, talking, screaming, shouting, squabbling - and being generally really loud, especially for a train. I wasn't sure who was with them all, but soon put together that the two women talking behind me (and primarily ignoring the noisy girls) were parents of some of the kids. One of the girls had said "mom" at some point.
I didn't have too terribly much longer to go, and wondered when they were getting off. They without a second thought were perfectly comfortable in engaging often with the conductor, who for some reason passed back and forth through the car most of the trip. The minutes ticked by slowly. I was amused primarily by the girls, though some mini scream fights amid the hyper chatter broke out now and then. I picked up there was some birthday event bringing the group together - a thirteenth birthday of some girl, who I don't think was in the group. As I glanced back, I noticed the woman behind me, who in brushing her hair off her forehead revealed the massive diamonds on her ring finger. Across the isle and one row ahead were two men in conversation, in causal but nice dress (and watches), also associated with the group but like the women, seemingly unconcerned by their lively charges.
The group prepared to get off, and exited at R_____. I still had things to write, however...
"The train is silent and empty. Now they sit outside huddled on one bench - I can hear them as the train pulls away.
I hear someone faintly exclaim by the door area. The much-pestered young conductor ("Harry") comes back through the car. I can't help laughing at him as he says "you know, I have a daughter, but..." the rest in a loss for words on his part.
"Silence prevails", I say, laughing at his befuddlement. He shakes his head with mixture of amusement, incredulity, and disbelief.
Funny.
And now it's quiet. Very quiet. Only a few people talking can be heard. Talking about music. Taylor Swift. "I love this song".
The train empties out as more and more people get off.
Before long, the conductor rolls back the seats to face the other way. Interesting, but loud.
8:27 PM and quiet except for the sounds of the train on the tracks. Next stop is mine. The conductor pushes back the seat in front of my so that it faces the other way for the return trip of this train. It's spacious in front of me. I'll be off soon, so bye for now.
Oh yes, the girls were singing Winter Wonderland... "
I didn't have too terribly much longer to go, and wondered when they were getting off. They without a second thought were perfectly comfortable in engaging often with the conductor, who for some reason passed back and forth through the car most of the trip. The minutes ticked by slowly. I was amused primarily by the girls, though some mini scream fights amid the hyper chatter broke out now and then. I picked up there was some birthday event bringing the group together - a thirteenth birthday of some girl, who I don't think was in the group. As I glanced back, I noticed the woman behind me, who in brushing her hair off her forehead revealed the massive diamonds on her ring finger. Across the isle and one row ahead were two men in conversation, in causal but nice dress (and watches), also associated with the group but like the women, seemingly unconcerned by their lively charges.
The group prepared to get off, and exited at R_____. I still had things to write, however...
"The train is silent and empty. Now they sit outside huddled on one bench - I can hear them as the train pulls away.
I hear someone faintly exclaim by the door area. The much-pestered young conductor ("Harry") comes back through the car. I can't help laughing at him as he says "you know, I have a daughter, but..." the rest in a loss for words on his part.
"Silence prevails", I say, laughing at his befuddlement. He shakes his head with mixture of amusement, incredulity, and disbelief.
Funny.
And now it's quiet. Very quiet. Only a few people talking can be heard. Talking about music. Taylor Swift. "I love this song".
The train empties out as more and more people get off.
Before long, the conductor rolls back the seats to face the other way. Interesting, but loud.
8:27 PM and quiet except for the sounds of the train on the tracks. Next stop is mine. The conductor pushes back the seat in front of my so that it faces the other way for the return trip of this train. It's spacious in front of me. I'll be off soon, so bye for now.
Oh yes, the girls were singing Winter Wonderland... "
Friday, November 12, 2010
Nutcracker performance dates!!
It's that time of year... I'm excited to share with you the dates for the Nutcracker! Everyone has been busy in rehearsal for what is going to be a spectacularly authentic performance of the Nutcracker. I'm posting tomorrow on what we have been working on!
Here is all of the show and ticket information - hope to see you there!
"The Nutcracker"
choreography by Michael Chernov and Gelsey Kirkland after Vainonen
Dates and Times:
Friday, December 17th, 2010:
7:00 PM
Saturday, December 18th:
2:00 PM
&
7:00 PM
Sunday, December 19th:
2:00 PM
&
7:00 PM
LOCATION:
Gerald W. Lynch Theater
899 Tenth Avenue New York, NY, 10019
P: 212.237.8000
TICKET PRICING:
PREMIUM SEATS: $85.00 (ROWS D THRU J CENTER)
ORCHESTRA: $55.00
BALCONY: $45.00
SALE PRICES: Offer valid thru November 30th!
PREMIUM SEATS: $40.00 (ROWS D THRU J CENTER)
ORCHESTRA: $30.00
BALCONY: $20.00
Call for ticketing information at 212.254.8520
Here is all of the show and ticket information - hope to see you there!
"The Nutcracker"
choreography by Michael Chernov and Gelsey Kirkland after Vainonen
Dates and Times:
Friday, December 17th, 2010:
7:00 PM
Saturday, December 18th:
2:00 PM
&
7:00 PM
Sunday, December 19th:
2:00 PM
&
7:00 PM
LOCATION:
Gerald W. Lynch Theater
899 Tenth Avenue New York, NY, 10019
P: 212.237.8000
TICKET PRICING:
PREMIUM SEATS: $85.00 (ROWS D THRU J CENTER)
ORCHESTRA: $55.00
BALCONY: $45.00
Call for ticketing information at 212.254.8520
Purchase any ticket at regular price and pay half-price for your child or senior.
ONLINE TICKET SALES NOW AVAILABLE
Sunday, November 7, 2010
I'm back
Ridiculously long hiatus, right? Here's a quick note to let you know that I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. First there was a busy schedule... then more internet problems, and then just a plain busy schedule. We're getting ready for the Nutcracker (info to come later this week on that!) and my days are very full, getting up at 5:30 AM and getting home around 7 or so, earlier if I get out "early", 4:30 - 5 or so.
My commute has gotten better now that I just take one bus, but still takes some time, and I don't have enough down time to fool around the city or anything like that... just enough time to come home to eat, shower, and get ready for the day ahead. I get lazy and don't make an effort to blog because I'm tired and selfish and want me time on the computer to do whatever I want to clear my head. But I'm not going to desert you anymore, so expect maybe more shorter updates that huge chunky posts every other month. It will be more current as well. So now that I'm getting in a steady routine time wise, and getting a little more sleep with this fall back, I'll try to get in a few posts this week as to my happenings these past few weeks. Until then... 38 degrees outside and a nice fire inside - time to go enjoy the little piece of my weekend left!
My commute has gotten better now that I just take one bus, but still takes some time, and I don't have enough down time to fool around the city or anything like that... just enough time to come home to eat, shower, and get ready for the day ahead. I get lazy and don't make an effort to blog because I'm tired and selfish and want me time on the computer to do whatever I want to clear my head. But I'm not going to desert you anymore, so expect maybe more shorter updates that huge chunky posts every other month. It will be more current as well. So now that I'm getting in a steady routine time wise, and getting a little more sleep with this fall back, I'll try to get in a few posts this week as to my happenings these past few weeks. Until then... 38 degrees outside and a nice fire inside - time to go enjoy the little piece of my weekend left!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)