Author: Aquinnah

Ms. Erin Benson, director of Ballet Emmanuel, came in and spoke to the Training Division today.

Surprise!

It was so good to hear from such an accomplished woman about questions which I face all the time…

Do I want to dance professionally? Or would I rather take this gift elsewhere?

If I did want to dance professionally, which company would I want to join?

Should I attend college? And if I decide to go… where?

Hearing Ms. Erin’s testimony didn’t answer my questions– that’s something I’ll have to do on my own– but it gave me a good place to start. Whether or not I want to be a professional ballerina, technique is incredibly important, and I am so glad to know that Miss Sara and Miss Bethanny both have that in mind. I honestly believe that we are receiving some of the best teaching in the entire city– how truly blessed we are!

Another essential is research. When I hear the word “research,” I automatically think of science, my absolute least favorite school subject… ever. But recently, I realized that without research, I’d never be able to collect information on outstanding dance companies and colleges. This world is full of opportunities, but if we don’t know our options, we’ll never reach the top.

In my opinion, the most valuable lesson which I learned from Ms. Erin today is that which stated that GOD and DANCE are not separate. We may have taken the Lord out of schools, but that doesn’t mean that He isn’t present in dance. As a matter of fact, if we use our talents to magnify Him, those talents become infinitely more meaningful. <3

And finally: just keep climbing. It IS a long way to the top, but don’t quit because you’re afraid of falling. Jesus never misses a catch.

Ms. Erin gave us a quick ab workout (Miss Bethanny was absolutely ecstatic!) and taught barre. We had such a great time! I was especially pleased with her description of “Ballerina Barbie,” who is by no means a very good role model (unless you’re a robot, of course).

After class, we gave hugs all around and thanked Ms. Erin a million times over. She is so amazing! So, I will say yet again: Thank you, Ms. Erin, for teaching Training today.

Let me just say: I am continuously amazed by how incredible my studio truly is. <3

As much as I hate to admit it, Student-Led Performance Ministries will be closing down at the end of the month; our last get-together will be next week. Based on today’s class, however, we’ll be going out with a bang…

Abby– poor Abby!– was not feeling well today, and Elizabeth decided to stay home alongside her sister, so I had a private lesson with Miss Bethanny. After a quick ten-minute warm-up, Bethanny decided that she was in dire need of some Sour Patch Kids, so we took a trip down to the gas station. Next, we headed over to the coffee shop, and she bought me hot chocolate.

Can I just ask: does anyone else have a dance teacher who is willing to walk down to a gas station to buy candy and walk back up to buy hot chocolate during class? Yeah… I thought that was pretty darn special. Thank you SO much, Miss Bethanny! You’re awesome, and I had a great time choreographing to the coffee song with you. 🙂

Then, it was on to the Ballet 2A girls with Ms. Tina. Seeing as it’s still Observation Week, a group of parents paraded their way up front to watch the girls perform their All This Time dance; it was stellar! Great job girls!

Finally, because I will be traveling in November, I began make-up classes this evening with the Training 2 girls. We ended class with a Christmas dance rehearsal. I can’t say that I looked perfectly perfect, as I had to learn the entire dance in exactly one and a half minutes, but I had fun, and that’s what really counts… right?

 It has been quite an eclectic day!

My calender surprised me this morning by reading, “Observation Week.” I think my eyes almost popped out of my head. I can’t believe it’s almost November already.

In honor of this live viewing specialty, the ballet/tap kidos presented their parental units with their long-anticipated pumpkin dance. Decked out in orange tutus and hair accessories, they were about the cutest things since miniature pumpkins themselves. The audience was thrilled!

In modern, we continued to work on choreography for our December Christmas dance. My mom came in to watch the last fifteen minutes of class and took the video above… Fabulous job everybody!

In ballet, we began choreography on yet another Christmas dance– ah! It’s going to be lovely. My dad came in to watch this lesson, snapped some pictures, and the two of us headed home.

I must say, “Juliet” has become quite a distinct name to me, from having to read her story in my English class, to watching Letters to Juliet with Moriah, to actually considering writing a letter to the Juliet Club… oh, dear! On the up-side, during all of my relentless research, I came across this version of Juliet’s variation that I absolutely love. Diana Vishneva puts so much personality into her character, it’s unreal…

I had such a lovely day…; your details await you, lovely dancer:

Miss Bethanny’s class is just… awesome. That’s the perfect word for it; I feel like a master author now. I am learning so many beneficial teaching techniques, tips and tricks, it is absolutely incredible. Thank you, Miss Bethanny, for being such a great all-round teacher.

In the ballet/tap class, the girls are working on a ballet-style “pumpkin dance” for the autumn season. It’s looking fabulous! Bethanny brought in a basket of miniature pumpkins today (“real, honest-to-goodness pumpkins”) for the girls to dance with– how cute!

Between classes, I had an enthralling anatomy lesson with Elizabeth and Abby (Fun fact: there are joints in your skull!), discussing different “interesting” ballets on the side (I had to watch Romeo and Juliet today…). I just love those girls. They’re just… awesome.

It occurred to me today, “Wow. Miss Sara is wearing fuzzy socks.” And THAT, beautiful dancers, can only mean ONE thing: winter. And winter means Christmas. And Christmas means Christmas dances. And, oh, our beloved teacher began choreographing the modern Christmas dance today– eek! I’m so psyched! Me being me, I’m going to have to work on figuring out the title of the song, but I will definitely get on that…

In ballet, we worked on Cecchetti Grade I for April, who is taking her exam on Sunday. She is looking superb (and her vocabulary skills amaze me every time)! Good luck to April, as well as to the rest of the upcoming Grade Is– you’re going to do wonderfully! Have so much fun!

Miss Bethanny walked into the Training Center today, black-and-turquoise jumpsuit and all, with the words, “I’m really tempted to give you guys a jazz-style class today” on her tongue.

A few of us were not quite prepared for jazz, so we compromised with lyrical-style dance— what an extraordinary idea!

After a solid, half-hour warm up and stretch, Bethanny dealt out a combination, one which expressed a commonly-felt emotion– grief. She explained that it has been a very long day for her, and I must say that my day was not quite superb either, so this exercise worked out well.

A major part of this combination was improv, and my sisters and I were able to truly put our emotions into movement. I felt my mind let go and my sixth sense– every dancer has it– take over. And suddenly, I was lost. So lost, that for an entire twenty seconds, I totally blanked on the entire combination. But it didn’t matter. Because in someway, somehow, I just… relaxed (which I actually don’t know how to do with any of my five senses).

There was so much emotion in that room, Allison began to cry. I, too, had my fair share of tears. Honestly, I don’t think that a single girl left class with dry eyes.

So the question is… why? What did lyrical bring in and ballet take away?

In my personal opinion, dancers tend to think “uptight” when performing a ballet piece. This is exactly why I love Miss Bethanny’s teaching; it forces us to loosen up! stretch out! take up space! dance!

And that’s the answer. Ballet took rigidity with it and left real emotion behind. 

Now, bring Ballet back into the picture. Is it possible to send lyrical away and leave that emotion behind? I’m definitely going to try.

Without further ado (It has been quite a few weeks now, has it not?), your Christmas production updates:

For starters, Student-Led Performance Ministries is still comprised of only three girls— Elizabeth, Abby and myself. As it turns out, if we do not have at least one more individual signed up by the end of the month, this choreography class is going to close down. SISTERS. Please, please, PLEASE believe me when I tell you that we will be VERY unhappy if SLPM closes down. We REALLY need you. Smiles.

Choreography wise, everything is going wonderfully. Elizabeth and I are about two thirds of the way through our pieces, and Abby is not far behind! Elizabeth’s work is absolutely beautiful and Abby’s is so incredibly awesome. I, too, am fairly proud of my own choreography, though I could use some creative ideas for the last few verses of “Silent Night.”

I know that I have been pretty vague when it comes to our performance plans, but I would rather give you lovely dancers all of the correct information, rather than the “we thinks.” We are still looking for a facility to put on the show; we truly believe that God has something perfect coming for us. I can, however, give you a bit more information about my piece…:

I am choreographing a contemporary ballet piece to “Silent Night.” This choreography will be taught to Mary (Miss Bethanny) and a group of angels. Baby Jesus (a real, live baby) will also be a major part of this scene. During the dance, a candlelight service will be held, the audience providing the song lyrics.