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Pointe Dancer at the Beach

Officially back from my vacation, I attended my dance classes yesterday. It was so great to see everyone again!

After ballet and pointe, it was time for Cecchetti. While vacationing, Emma called to let me know that we would  be having Mock Cecchetti Exams during the Friday Cecchetti classes. Miss Mimi, Emma’s worship teacher, kindly agreed to be our examiner (as she is Cecchetti trained). She was very sweet during the whole of the examinations and gave us helpful advice.

To go into more detail, we took the Grade 1 mock exam (along with Grade 2) just as the real exams will be taken (in a week!), minus the part where Emma sprawled out on the floor and burst into laughter while Caroline and I jumped and clapped our hands in excitement. We entered the studio when called and lined up in number order— I am number two. From there, the exams flowed pretty smoothly. Miss Mimi was impressed with my vocabulary skills— there was only one word that I really had to think about before answering. My answer was not wrong, but it also wasn’t worded correctly. That said, I know just how to answer the vocab question now. Our main problem was turn-out. Miss Sara, sitting in the corner, was itching to correct us on this particular part of the exams, but couldn’t speak. Apparently, we did a little bit better during Grade 2– phew!

Overall, I believe the mock exams went pretty well. It is the tiny details in each combination that need to be perfected. Miss Mimi is not the type to tell us precisely how she would have graded us, but assured us that we did not fail. Yes, I do have a goal (“I will not get less than a…”) to be revealed at a later date.

“Into the Sunset”

“Mossy Rock Attitude”

“While at the Lake”

“Machine Gun Dancer”

Hello from my far-off vacationing spot! Life here has been hectic; visiting relatives, cooking and cleaning, hunting, shooting and trapping, knitting and just relaxing in the woods. So fun! Despite all of this, I have found time in my days to practice Cecchetti and to dance everywhere possible! Picture one (far left) was taken by one of my brothers just before this beautiful place was covered in a blanket of darkness. Picture two (near left) was taken in the middle of the woods by my mother. Picture three (far right) was taken by my dad after a family walk to the lake. Lastly, picture four (near right) was taken at the shooting range this afternoon by, once again, my dad. Thank you all! (P.S. Even dancers like machine guns…!)

I have missed Nutcracker rehearsal and two ballet classes on my trip so far. At the moment, I am missing the cherubs. Thankfully, Emma is covering for me.

In my division, I have to make up for any ballet classes that I miss. I took care of my making-up before I left home by attending the Thursday ballet class before modern. I took two classes– this makes up for everything. I will be back for classes on Friday. While I can take extra classes at my home studio, that is impossible with The Nutcracker. However, I was able to read Emma’s blog to find out what we learned and how everything played out! If you would like a peek into Emma’s dance life, visit her blog! You can find the address by clicking “View my complete profile” (under “DANCING ME” on the right-hand side of your computer screen or the bottom of your mobile device) and looking under “Links.” Click “Emma’s Blog.” Don’t forget to check out my other favorite websites!

Esmerelda

“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!