Month: March 2014

The following is my formal apology to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, written so flawlessly by Rick Riordan. My opinions on Greek mythology and books narrated by teenage boys have been forever altered. Do forgive my previous outlook on the two, and join me in laughter (or tears… whichever you prefer) over the quotes below. These just stuck with me and will most likely never leave me alone.

Spring has sprung (and so has spring break!). The sky is overcast, the mountains are snow-capped, and the wind is enough to keep me inside. Classic.

I did, however, just return from a fantastic snowmobiling trip (Yes, ballerinas can rough it, too.). During many a relaxing hour, I came up with the following list of quotes that you will probably NEVER hear outside of a dance studio. If you have a special case, though, I completely understand. I’m not all there in the “normal” department either.

1. “Who are you, and why is your hair down?”
2. “Is that… BROWN MASCARA?”
3. “This red lipstick is being confiscated. You have the right to remain silent.”
4. “Pretty please don’t kill me with your necklace.”
5. “Do I have to take my shirt off?”
6. “You’re not seriously wearing nail polish… right? You don’t really have a death wish… right?” (Sorry!– too much Percy Jackson for me…)
7. “Whoops!– forgot to take my pants off.”
8. “These tights have two huge holes and an ugly run…. They should last me another four weeks.”
9. “I can see my toes! Time for new ballet shoes!”
10. “I had chocolate today. A whole square. Best moment ever.”
11. “The lady at the spa told me about foot cream. I told her about twelve years ago.”
12. “Do you want good grades or good grand battements? BECAUSE YOU CAN’T HAVE BOTH, SISTER!”
13. “Yay!– blister picture!”
14. “Sorry dude, but I don’t run. You see, it’s all in the knees…”
15. “Aw, your friend plays football? That’s really cute.”
16. “What color is this song?”
17. “I’m glad you’re sore.”
18. “Now, put four times your body weight on your knees. See how beautiful that is?”
19. “Courant Français – activer!” 
20. “Wait, so you’re telling me that– that you… have a LIFE?”

I’m going to come right out and say it.

We were all FREAKING OUT about the Classics Festival today.

And based on last night’s Hungarian rehearsal, we had reason to be.

But since none of us keeled over and died, we must have been okay.

Moriah and I arrived at the mall nearly 20 minutes early. If the Saturday shoppers figured we were weirdos when we showed up in poofy tutus, they definitely didn’t question themselves when we started yelling at Anna from the balcony. We had a pretty decent conversation about the lack of dressing areas, quick changes and bobby pins– in the MIDDLE of the mall– before heading downstairs.

When we reached the Green Room (Hi, Emma!), where we were to stay for the next 45 minutes, we piled our junk in a corner and made a makeshift dressing room for the Hungarian Girls. It must have looked pretty darn sketchy…

After that, it was on to warm up! We did some plies, tendus and those adorable nervous-jumping-things, combined with prayers and phone calls and craziness. Somewhere in there, there was a failed attempt at rehearsing the dance, too. It was great.

After a final prayer over the group, Ms. Tina walked us down to the stage, where we could be seen by viewers from all sides and angles. Pachelbel’s Canon (last year’s Intermediate Pointe) was the first to perform. Once Rachel, Mary, April and Elizabeth were finished dancing, it was all-hands-on-deck to get them out of their pink flowers and into their scrunchies, out of their black tutus and into their gold ones and out of their pointe shoes and into their flats. Organized chaos… or something.

With the Petite Paquita (last year’s Pre-Training) kids’ exits came the Hungarian Girls’ entrances, and we performed to the best of our ability. To be perfectly honest, I feel that we did a wonderful job– nobody died! I’m so proud of us. <3

After Hungarian, Rachel and Mary had to get back onstage for Irish, and after a minor setback that sent Moriah running half-way across the mall, they did a beautiful job. Likewise, Starz did a fabulous job with their Oz pieces. Sigh.

And now I’m back at home. My hair is down, my make-up is history and I’m wearing pajamas, of all things. Seems like your normal Saturday.

But we all know that’s not true.

Three years ago, I made the decision to join the Training Division at my home studio. It was a hard decision, though. I put my sweat and tears into it… literally. I locked myself up in my room for hours. Prayer. I read and reread flyers and brochures. Prayer. I skimmed and scanned and read the studio website. Prayer. I stalked the Facebook page (Mhm). Felt like a stalker. You name it, I researched it. But I had to take a good, long nap before I really knew– I was supposed to join Training 1.

Last year, when Miss Sara put me in Training 2, I was ecstatic. And then, I realized, “Dear God, this is the end of the line.”

Then, Ms. Tina announced the arrival of Training 3, and on top of that, the Training Center, for our own personal use. It meant the world to me, and yet, where to go from there…?

I refused to be talked into moving. I fell in love with my studio. I was SUPPOSED to be there. My teachers, sisters, classes– they make my life so much better. And on top of all of that, I’m being given what I believe to be the best training in the state? in the country? in the world– because I’m being taught that it’s what’s inside, or rather WHO’S inside, that counts. With this knowledge, beauty MUST appear; there is no darkness in faith, hope and love.

So, welcome to Faith Youth Ballet, Ms. Tina’s originally unplanned addition to her masterpiece. FYB will be run by Miss Mimi (Kudos to anyone who remembers the last “class” I had with her.) and Miss Mia (who danced with Ballet Emmanuel for a year). These are two incredible teachers with two incredible stories, and I can’t wait to dance alongside them.

Auditions for Faith’s first show– Firebird— will be in August, after my birthday. I will be required to perform a classical/contemporary variation, which I will begin working on this summer. Rehearsals will be every Saturday beginning in September, after a company class, until February of 2015, when we will perform.

Needless to say: I am over-the-moon happy. And I believe that God truly does answer prayers.

3.7.2014 – Catching Fire DVD Release

I feel as though I haven’t given you lovely dancers an update on the dances in quite some time. That, of course, may just be me, seeing as I can’t leave you alone for very long…. All the same, here is your “big update.”

Love Take Me Over: I’m terribly sorry, but I must express my overwhelming love for this piece. Despite its disco-ball-ish qualities, it’s the funest (I know, I know, I’m incredible at grammar.) thing that ever hit planet earth. And the costumes… and the fact that there will be thirty-something people onstage to perform it… and the SONG…. Wouldn’t you use the word “funest?”

Jesus Loves Me: The ballet/tap kiddos’ dance is speeding right along and should be finished within the next few weeks. We are currently at the two-thirds mark in the song, and Bethanny has a handful of choreography in mind for the little princesses.

Redeemed: Finished! That’s right beautifuls– the modern dance is complete! Miss Sara has a couple of things that she wants to move around, as well as a couple of minor holes to fill, but the music has ended with our exits. The piece is incredible (to the point of chills). On another note, remember that pirouette contest that we had a few weeks back? Guess who’s having a triple squeezed out of her…? 🙂 On an even less relevant note, we have seen and tried on our costumes and have learned a few things… but more on that later.

Primavera: Finished! As of last night, Training 3 choreography has come to an end. This is one of my all-time favorite pieces. It needs some serious cleaning, but other than THAT… we’re done.

I Need You: The Ballet 2A girls’ piece will– more than likely– be completed this evening. It is absolutely remarkable, and the students love it. A++ worthy.

On the right-hand side of your computer screen, you will find links to the songs above, in recital order (more on that when Recital Central arrives).