Author: Aquinnah

Surprise! I thought that it would be fun to wait and share with you the joys of my “Master Class with Miss Tina” earlier this afternoon.

I was the first to arrive in Studio C, where Miss Tina and I chatted a bit. Eventually, Hannah (lyrical 2011-2012), Sarah (pointe) and two others found their way inside, and the class began!

Miss Tina held a Bible study where she spoke a bit on “hope,” and how God is the only thing that our hope can truly be placed in. It was a wonderful message! After giving us many verses from scripture, Miss Tina split the five of us up into groups and told us to choreograph a mini-dance to our favorite piece. I was in a group with Hannah, and the two of us decided to base our choreography off of Psalm 42:5 (which, like all of the chosen verses, speaks of hope). We performed it for the other girls and it was on to warm-up! Soon after, Miss Tina gave us a stretching combination; I feel like spaghetti!

After some amazing across-the-floor work, we learned a dance, choreographed to “One Thing Remains,” which went along with our hope theme. As this was a 13+ worship class, the dance was like none that I have ever done before; I loved it! In about an hour, we were able to create a dance to the majority of our beautiful song!

We took a short break from our choreography to spend time in prayer. Miss Tina instructed us to place our hope in God and to dance the rest of our unneeded baggage off. It was amazing! The owner of my dance studio turned the lights down and let us enjoy our time with the Lord– how fun!

At the end of our two-and-a-half hours, the “parental units” came in to watch us perform!

Over all, I had a wonderful experience today– the best master class that I have attended yet! I can’t wait for next time!

On Thursday, as I prepared myself for my second make-up class, Miss Sara asked if she could have a minute with me. Of course, I agreed. Upon hearing what she had to say, my heart began to race.

Essentially, my teacher wanted to know my thoughts on Grade 3. She explained to me that it would be a good idea to contemplate taking my third Cecchetti Exam next year, not because of skill level, but because…

• If I were to train for Grade 3 this year, I would do it alone. Abby and Caroline have yet to take their second exam, and Emma took her’s last year. 
• There is no guarantee that Miss Sara’s friend, Jennifer, would let me take my exam with a few of her students, leaving me to dance alone.
• Dancing alone would mean extra money and two judges examining me under the microscope.

On the up side, I might be able to take my Grade 4 exam with Valerie and Bree, the girls who took their Grade 3 with Emma, as they are currently having contemplations of their own.

If I were to take my Grade 3 next year, I would…

• have already been training for two years (better scores!).
• possibly be able to dance with Abby and/or Caroline (or others).
• not be alone (no microscopes!).
• have more fun!

For these reasons, I have decided to wait until next year to take my Cecchetti Grade 3 examination. If by that time I am still a loner, I will have no choice but to be brave…! Despite my waiting, I will still be training this year; Miss Sara is currently tracking down a book for me to study.

That it is (see title).

And this is a random post! Enjoy!

Emma e-mailed me this weekend to let me know that an image of one of my Christmas leotards (pictured in “My Unintended Vacation”) has been spotted in Pointe Magazine! I feel like a “fashionista” each and every time I wear it!

Friday classes went well; I am all caught up on the pointe recital dance. Phew–! It is a little tricky, but I’m sure we’ll all catch on. Besides, the Stop Game is perfect for any kind of performance!

I used the Training 1 class before Training 2 as a make-up yesterday. One down; two to go! Miss Sara said that I can make up my pointe class as well, which I might just accomplish…! My plan, at the moment (it is ever-changing!), is to make up another class on Thursday, another on Monday and possibly pointe next Thursday. Anyhow, the Training 1 and 2 dance was extremely easy to catch on to (Thank the Lord!) and we were able to add a bunch to the choreography.

Today, Miss Sara gave me a huge challenge in ballet; the combinations were extra difficult! However, it was a good difficulty and I highly enjoyed myself! One of my teacher’s challenges for me was to “spiral” (turn out) my legs more than ever before.To give me a feel for it, Miss Sara wrapped a thera-band around my leg and helped me through our ronds de jambe en l’air combination. She then let me try on my own. My face exploded with delight as my teacher screamed, “Yes… yes… YES!”

Miss Jennifer caught me up on the Cherubs’ recital dance today as well– so cute!

A random bonus: My balancing is getting SO much better– yay!

Additionally, today is my great-grandmother’s 98th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREAT-GRAMMY! I love you so much!

Hello lovely dancers– I have returned to you! Yesterday was my first day back in class– what a blessing, to be with all of my sisters once again! Now, without further ado, your details…:

I arrived fifteen minutes early and chatted with Emma and April on the topic of “American Idol.” April’s older sister auditioned this year, and we are all extremely excited to see her on television! Good luck to her!

Finally, it was class-time! I rushed into the room, threw down my back, sipped a bit of water and went to work! I got a lot of “Aquinnah, where were you last week?” questions from the girls, as I disappeared rather suddenly. Miss Sara inquired upon my travels and I could say nothing but, “It was interesting.”

One of the more interesting moments during my travel-time was the plane ride home; I caught a head cold from one of the strangers sitting near me… ugh! That said, I avoided flipping upside-down for the majority of modern. I suppose that I will have to do the same this afternoon….

Anyway, we worked a lot on “rebounding” during class. Miss Sara compared the term to a rubber ball bouncing on the floor— what a great relation! We also worked on the recital dance, which would have been much easier had Moriah been there (a group of us have to contort her body at one point), but I am glad to be caught up!

I have gotten a lot of compliments on my Christmas leotard!

Hello from… well… “my far-off vacationing spot!” My grandmother is very ill at the time, so I’ll be camping out here until Wednesday. So far, I have missed modern class but will also not be around for three ballet classes, pointe or cherubs. Thanks to my best friend, who is filling in for me once again! Love you girl! <3 Speaking of Emma, be sure to check out her blog to get all the details on what is happening back home. Also, don’t forget to take a look at my profile page to snatch the link for her new blog: Call Me Healthy!

What of Monday and Tuesday (when I was still at the studio)? Well, the Training 1 and 2 recital dance is coming along splendidly! I am adoring everything about it. My little cherubs performed their first barre combination during their darling class– so cute!

Emma called this morning and told me all about modern– I missed some recital choreography. Thankfully, Valerie will be able to teach me my part when I return, as she is in my group. I was also informed that Miss Tina was not able to order our recital costumes (the modern ones), as the company was sold out, so red, sparkly shirts are our alternative. 

Enjoy! (Purchasing pointe shoes is a long process! Everyone’s foot is different, so some of the shoes that wouldn’t fit me or Emma could totally fit you! All of the shoe types are so special– dance itself is so special! <3)

On January 4th, 2013, I set off on my world tour. I flew out at the [name of “airport”] in [location].

First, I enjoyed a trip to Russia to try on their Grishko pointe shoes. I could barely get them on. I don’t remember the order after that, but I’ll still tell about the places I visited and list photos in that order! I went to Australia to try on their Blochs. They didn’t have enough support. I took a brief stop in Italy to check out the Capezios, but they didn’t work either. I took a second trip to Russia and tried on the Russian Pointes. I also went to France and tried on the Merlets. Then I took two stops in England: first for the Freeds and second for the Suffolks. After much deliberation and consideration, I got the Suffolk Solos!

Russia’s Grishkos

Australia’s Blochs

Italy’s Capezios

Russia’s Russian Pointes

France’s Merlets

England’s Freeds

Emma’s New Pointe Shoes!

Yesterday was yet another eventful time (I’ve had a lot of those lately…)! Here are your precious details:

 As it is now the month of January, my sisters and I are dancing, once again, with Bethany. I enjoy her classes more and more every week– “performing” is so much fun! It makes me feel like a true dancer.

We began the ballet class with prayer, during which certain girls volunteered to pray for certain things. Seeing that fifteen minutes of class was taken up, we skipped abs and dove right into barre! Bethany commented that every girl sunk down into her standing hip as we completed tendus, so we had a second try. My teacher complimented me several times for “lifting up” this time around! She was also quite pleased with my stretching and across-the-floor work… wow!

When ballet was over, I rushed into some cover-ups as fast as I could, grabbed my things and sprinted over to Studio C! I was so glad to put my pointe shoes on… I’ve missed them!

After releves, we completed our usual across-the-barre combination, though I was having some difficulty springing onto the tops of my shoes. Miss Sara told me that those types of things come with having a two-week-long break– no need to freak out!

As I finished out my barre work (I missed chaines turns), my left foot started to bother me. I ignored the pain and jumped excitedly as Miss Sara proclaimed the start of our RECITAL DANCE! I made it through the first run and was then ready to burst into tears; I had a major blister on my toe. From that point forward, I had to avoid going up on pointe. Next week I’m definitely using tape (You see, I thought maybe my toes had toughened up…)…

At the end of class, Miss Sara called everyone around for the Dancer of the Month Award. Anna declared that it belonged to her for “Most Missed Classes,” though it was actually given to me for improved foot placement! Yay!