Author: Aquinnah

“En Pointe”

“Dramatic Lighting”

Thank God for internet connection…! <3

As of Friday, I have accumulated much “dance homework.” There are certain Cecchetti combinations and Cecchetti vocabulary, but we were also given a very enjoyable assignment– parallel  releves in our pointe shoes! Since moving, I haven’t had much time to accomplish this task, but last night, because I was wearing dance attire anyway, I decided it would be the perfect time to use them!

Just before I “pointed,” Emma called me to let me know that Miss Sara told her we could walk around a bit in our shoes (preferably holding onto something). Of course, I added that to my list of things to do…!

The pictures above can be labeled, “Pre-Photo-Shoot Images!” My dad took them for me last night as I walked around the house. Thanks, Daddy!

As I am in the process of moving a mile away from my previous home, life has been pretty hectic around here! The most troublesome part has been not having any internet connection. As of now, I am sitting in my old home (on the floor with my back against the hard wall) using its connection. And THIS, lovely dancers, is why this post was not up yesterday.

Phew! A lot happens in just one week! I figure I might as well explain it all…:

First, Cecchetti Exams are in only three weeks, so we have been working quite hard on the combinations in class. We have been focusing mainly on Grade 2, as we have Grade 1 down to a science. We have even done a little Grade 3 for next year!

Of course, there is my new pointe shoes! My amazing mother kindly helped me sew the elastic and ribbons inside. They look beautiful! As soon as Miss Sara gives us permission to have a little more freedom at home, I will be doing a photo shoot with them. Pictures coming soon!

With my mesh bag and all things required for pointe, I decided my dance bag was getting a bit too small. I now carry around a bag that is about half the size of me (meaning: that’s a pretty big bag)!

Triple turns are becoming much more common and I can do perfect doubles on my left side– yay! It’s glorious. 

The best news of all is that my first pointe class (with shoes) was yesterday! It was awesome! Miss Sara taught us how to tie our shoes properly and then we began releves en pointe! Everyone got the perfect shoes for their feet; my dance sisters look gorgeous! Love you girls! <3

My Pointe Shoes

Anna and I being fitted (I’m in purple)!

This day, September 23rd, 2012, will long be remembered as the day I had my very first pointe shoe fitting. It should be a national holiday!

Before I begin to explain, I would like to have you lovely dancers know that after a turn in events, I did end up making it to Nutcracker Rehearsal today! In brief: we learned the beginning of Party Dance 1. It is such a joyful scene in the performance, and I am so happy to be a part of it!

Now: POINTE SHOES! <3 I had my appointment at three o’ clock sharp, but I arrived at my destination 25 minutes early. I thought for sure all my dance sisters would be home by that time (they all left the studio at 9:15 this morning), but I was wrong! The store was connected to a Marriott hotel in which all my friends, their parents and my teacher were seated, eating a late lunch. I talked to the girls and found that Moriah was fitted into Blochs– yay!

Miss Sara, my mom and I walked back to the body wear shop, leaving my dad and brothers to “hang out.” We waited for Anna, who also had her appointment time moved. When she arrived, we began the fittings! In the end, Anna ended up with Grishkos– they look gorgeous on her!

Although it did not take Anna long to find the perfect shoes, I took an entire hour! I tried wide shoes, thin shoes, long shoes, short shoes, tight shoes, loose shoes, and everything in-between. I even tried different padding (although Miss Sara prefers we all start out with lambs wool)! We decided in the end that because I have very wide feet, I would need to go with some extremely thin pads. After switching, it was much easier to try shoes on. I came home with a gorgeous, pink, pair of Capezios– I ADORE THEM! <3 I am going to sew on my elastic and ribbons this week.

My parents also bought me a pink mesh bag, which will be so helpful! Thank you, Mom and Dad! Plus, we found one of my required Nutcracker items– whoo-hoo!

Also, a special thanks to Miss Sara, who sat through all those fittings…!

Now that I have officially said what an amazing experience Ballet Magnificat! was, I will just have to post all about what happened…! The following is your long-awaited “surprise post” as I did not announce that I would be dancing with a professional company! Surprise!

I went into the lobby and got all dressed and ready. I wore my skirt, something I have not done for any other workshop or intensive, as I saw on the Ballet Mag. website that all the girls wear them (in black). After a 15-minute wait, I went into Studio 2 with Emma, the two of us not knowing exactly what to expect. The class was even better than I had ever imagined!

Sally, our teacher, was extremely kind to all of us. She prayed over the group before we started which really blessed me. We did lots of barre combinations. They were a little different than what I am used to, but they were fun! We also did some things in center (the sautes were great!) and across the floor. The first combination that traveled across was difficult and I didn’t quite get the hang of it, but after a little practice, I’m sure I’ll be 99% (there’s always room for improvement)! The final combination was my favorite– I felt like a beautiful ballerina! It was glorious.

Our reverence was quite enjoyable– different, but magnificent. I liked it!

At the end of the workshop, I gave Sally a hug and thanked her for the wonderful class. I can now say I have danced with a professional ballet company; that is huge!

When life gives you thera-bands, stretch them!

My beloved dance teacher and friend, Miss Kristi, gave me much helpful information before I took my dancing to the next level. She told me that not everyone survives in this “ballet world.” It can be a rough place filled with “I’ll beat you there!” and “This role is MINE!” but our love for this glorious sport, along with faith, is what gives us the strength to continue on this path.

I realized just how tough you must be to live this life after a summer intensive I participated in this year. I did not post a thing about it– I wasn’t quite ready. This rough experience with my first male dance teacher made me wonder, “Can I do this? Can I stand up to the instructors? Do I even want to?” I knew my life would never be the same.

The other day, up popped the opportunity to dance with Ballet Magnificat!! After my experience this summer, would I accept? Emma talked to Miss Sara. Was I surprised when she replied, “Yeah, of course you should go!”? No…

“Why?” you ask?

Miss Sara told us during the Firm Foundation Intensive to take a deep breath and step out of that comfy place we have put ourselves in– to let bad experiences teach us something (in my case, it is good to learn different styles from different teachers and to keep pushing yourself to do your very best!) and to try something new. 

So I took a deep breath. I stepped out. I tried again. Dancing with Ballet Magnificat! is one of the most wonderful opportunities I have ever taken! Truly life changing!

So, when life gives you thera-bands, stretch them as far as they will go– that’s what they’re for! And if yours should snap, pick up a stronger one and try again. Things happen, but God is always right there beside you, ready to hand you a new opportunity to shine. <3

Four days seems like too long to wait. Emma is counting down the hours, but I cannot bring myself to look up the exact amount of time left– four is a much smaller number anyway.

Because this awfully long period of four days seems like too long to wait, I thought, “I might as well put up a random blog post so people do not become as bored as I am while waiting, waiting, waiting….” I do not even have classes today… oh, my!

Well, on Monday I learned “chasse tours” in ballet. They are so much fun! I am not sure I did a beautiful job executing the turns, but I had a great time! Haha, they’ll get better.

Yesterday, I tried another triple pirouette. Miss Sara asked if it had been gorgeous (as it was on Friday), but I had to admit that I did a slight hop at the very end of the move. However, in cherubs, before class had started, I was in Studio A by myself and tried again. Of course, when no one was watching, I completed a beautiful triple! I do not mind all that much that I celebrated alone– I did it and am able to tell the tale to all you lovelies.

Now, I wait for tomorrow, as I have modern. I hope we do those complicated combinations I have been working on….