The 32 Fouettes - AKA The Grand Finale

The moment when you feel you might fall over and die right there on the spot but can't, is vital. You may have just finished the hardest section of your dance or for principals, the thirty two fuoettes or mineges of jetes at the end of the coda. You may have just run what seems like one hundred miles, but still have one left, or have yet another mentally challenging homework assignment. This is the last push, the ultimate test. You may feel that you don't have it in you, but oh, you do. It isn't whether you are fast enough, athletic enough, or smart enough... it's whether you believe in yourself, and have that drive to success. And boy, the feeling after is priceless. For us dancers, there isn't anything much better than dancing on stage in front of the audience. Well, except the applause and appreciation from the crowd just past those blinding lights. Getting through the ups and downs to the grand finale is what I have found at the end of each day, week, and now year as I come to an end with my blog. My blog hasn't just shown improvement in my writing, it has shown that it's okay to accept your struggles, but embrace your achievement.

TRUE. Credits to: picturequotes.com 

Writing a blog isn't easy. I knew that before I started, but assumed choosing a subject I'm close with, almost too familiar with, would take a couple pounds of the load. See, that was where I was wrong. With ballet, we are always striving for "perfection", which we all know isn't possible. What I have learned through this blog though, is it's so easy to miss it all. If I only focus on what's wrong and what it needs to look like, won't dance just become something I don't enjoy? Eventually. Having to put all aspects of dance into words gave me a new perspective. I like to imagine that some other bunhead out there happened to fall across this school assignment that turned into so much more, and realized they aren't the only one facing this seemingly unachievable struggle. This to me, shows that you aren't made of your mistakes or problems. Multiple people will face the challenge of turned out positions, but can everyone show their love of dance on stage? Very few. Accept that you are doing something wrong, do your best to fix it, but allow your self to say "Hey, I did that pretty well." Seeing the things you are good at will give you pride from the inside out. And if you are making your way to the top in a breeze, you aren't reaching your full potential. Those hard pushes are where you can accept that what you are doing is not easy, and afterwards be proud that you did it. You receive so much more satisfaction when something difficult is thrown at you, but can get by it, even with struggle.

So, even when you see yourself no where close to Svetlana Zakharova or to those crazy olympians, as long as you are doing your best, it doesn't matter. Continue to push through each barrier, and you will notice yourself facing them with ease while approaching more... it is just life. Don't forget to applaud yourself every once in a while, though.

13 Common Dancer Problems

You know those things that dancers do, that are a little strange from the point of view of strangers, even though they probably know you're a dancer because it's only a thing dancers do? Well I'm going to list them here, and don't even pretend like you don't do them.

• Turns and leaps in grocery stores
So tempting when there is just empty space, without having to cut corners or jump in place with the usual walls at the studio. You feel free and alive... until a shopper walks into the aisle with a funny look, of course. "Is it also possible to buy some of your floor, it's perfect for turning?!"

•Bobby pins just about anywhere
The car, just about every bag, bed, sibling's jean pockets, lunch boxes, shoes, the driveway, interweaved into the carpet... you name it.  But then when you are in the process of doing your bun, they are nowhere to be found. How does that even happen? There must be a secret hiding place for bobby pins, and one day I'm going to crash that party... only to realize that the party is the bottom of my dance bag and in the corners of the dance studio from flying out during fouettes.

Desirable. Credits to: www.polyvore.com

•"Now reverse it..."
As if my legs aren't tired enough. And put right on the spot to figure out which way to tondué now, or pirouette and land in what corner in time to actually do it.

•Pedicures are still a thing?
It's been awhile, I must say. The massaging, warm water, superior smells, and myriad of colors is nice, but I don't always enjoy the strange faces of the nail artist after telling them "Don't touch my calluses." Especially you are paying money for something that will soon be scrunched up in a pointe shoe. Not worth it.

•You don't have hairspray?
Say whattt? To all my non-dancer friends who I guess can mange their fly-aways without this magical potion.

•Dancewear shopping.
It not doubtful that I spend more time shopping online for dance clothes than real clothes (and that's saying a lot, considering my fondness for shopping). I've even gotten to the tenth page on google looking for new stores... I must've been desperate.

•*Crack* *Pop* *Crack*
I'm surprised I haven't set off an earthquake from the amount of popping my bones produce in plies. I often have to tell my friends to wait a sec for me to pop my hip.

•Imaging a dance in your head when a song comes on
My words: "This would be a great song for a contemporary dance" "I've done a combo to this... kick, turn, slide, step, step, hold 7 and 8.

•"Check your attitude" isn't just a line you hear from your parents
You just can't ever get it spot on... in both places.

•When no one sees your perfect turn
DID ANYONE JUST SEE THAT?! Of course not. Now, when I'm going to go across the floor and everyone is watching, I will barely make that double with a sloppy landing. So awesome.

•Summer is spent more inside than outside for at least a month
Ballet + indoors = summer intensive = no tan.

•Beauty IS pain (especially new pointe shoes)
Getting new pointe shoes never gets old, they are just as pretty every time, but somehow manage to morph into bricks for the first class. Hello, five new blisters.

Oh so pretty. Oh so painful. Oh so expensive. Credits to: www.4dancers.org

•There goes my wallet
$80 spent on soon-to-be dead shoes, and to be put in the pile with the dozens of others.

Pointe Shoes and the Difficulties Within - Part 2

CONTINUED...


Bloch (heritage & european balance) - Bloch continues to get better each year, including their pointe shoes. In the past, the shoes were very boxy, and "blocky"... ironic considering the name. They now have a sturdy build, are cheaper in price compared to some brands, and can be worn by dancers of all levels. This brand's pointe shoes fit people with generally wider feet, but the heritage tapers more and the european balance is wider with less taper. Bloch is a great option because it fits so many different foot shapes, and don't die fast. I might consider trying them again in the future, I just felt that I couldn't get on my box as well as other brands, but did feel that it hugged my foot nicely other than that.

Bloch. Credits to: www.blochworld.com

Suffolk (spotlight & solo) - I found (almost) success with these shoes and definitely can always keep them as my back up plan. They are a newer shoe, but can work for both "archy" and "non-archy" feet. I would consider myself right in the middle of the two, and found that it fit to my arch very well, probably because it is a 3/4 shank. This allows your arch to be accentuated, without any digging in, and can help those with flatter arches get on their box. My only issue with these is the box, speaking of which. With the Suffolk Spotlight, they felt really (and I mean really) nice the first few classes, but died fast after that. I didn't have them much longer than the Freeds. The Suffolk Solo is gene
rally a harder shoe overall than the Spotlight, but was slightly restricting me from pointing the lower part of the shank, the part by my toes. They do look nice, and because they are newer shoes, I'm there will be even more variations of the existing ones in the future. I highly recommend these for a try!

Suffolk. Credits to: www.discounts4dance.com

Freed - Two words : two weeks. That is how long these lasted me. You have probably heard this, the fact the Freeds don't last, and that is because these are more performance shoes. Hence professional ballerinas use them for one show, and one show only. I don't have much say on these since I had little time with them, but they are very narrow, and do taper.

Freed. Credits to: www.motionunlimiteddancewear.com

Russian Pointe (lumina) - I've had these for a week now, and find they work pretty well for my feet so far. They don't restrict me from from my foot or getting on my box, and aren't narrow like most Russians. Considering I don't have narrow feet and fit these shoes how much brands evolve and expand their selection. Russian Pointe's shoes are louder than others when hitting the floor, and also require some breaking in by the hand, but do last long from what I've heard. They are like Grishko's in the way that they help make your feet stronger because they are a harder shoe, as well.

Russian Pointe. Credits to: www.allaboutdance.com

Stay tuned for a blog on preparing your pointe shoes for a more efficient fit!

Summer Intensives

Taking day(s) off from dance come back to bite you in the bum during the first class back...in certain cases, it hits hard.  Three day weekends are one thing, two week breaks for the holidays are another thing, but a whole summer?  Not dancing regularly for a whole summer are the cases that will hit hard.  But you can avoid that with...summer intensives.  These are becoming more and more common every year, with more places holding intensives.  Whether it be your local studio's summer camp or American Ballet Theatre's intensive in New York, there are many options for you to choose from.  In this blog I will be sharing my experience and what intensives might be best for you and accommodate your needs.

Auditioning:

Audition for as many summer intensive that you can.  This doesn't mean you have to attend all of them, it just allows you more opportunities.  Not only is it great taking class from a new teacher, and seeing where you fit in with other dancers, but you put your name out into the dance world, as well.  Even if you don't make it, you gained audition experience that will be valuable in your future.  I see it as taking master classes from different teachers from all over the country... of course, with a little pressure on your shoulders. 

Photo courtesy of media.utsandiego.com

Paying:

As you may or may not have noticed, intensives generally run in the pricey range.  Especially if you are traveling away from home and staying in the dorms provided.  You shouldn't let this stop from chasing your dreams and wanting to improve!  I suggest applying for financial aid or scholarships, if that is an option.  I also suggest trying fundraising!  You can sell unused items, work (even babysitting will help), do food stands, and I highly suggest using fundraising websites. With all the technology today, there are many websites that help share why you are raising money and what your goal is.  Then, after creating one, you can share on social media or send it to others.  Of course, you don't want to post and say "Give me your money!" (not that anyone would necessarily do that), but I'm sure if family and friends saw that you are taking the matter into your own hands, they will want to support you in doing something beneficial.  It's the type of thing grandparents are all about. 

What It's Like:

I have attended one summer intensive so far, and loved every second!  I attended Ballet West's summer intensive (and will be again this year), which is close to home.  Since it wasn't that far of a drive, I didn't stay in the dorms, so unfortunately, I don't have any advice on that area of subject. I think that the most beneficial part was taking multiple classes from a variety of teachers.  It was so interesting to see the different techniques and style of ballet.  This will make you a more well-rounded dancer and will allow you to adapt more easily to teachers.  You usually go from the morning to mid-day with a variety of 4-5 classes and breaks.  It is quite intense, as the name suggests.

Bonus: No need to worry about getting / keeping that "rockin' summer body"!

The Best Time:

If you are financial, emotionally, and physically stable to do a summer intensive, maybe even travel away from home, at a young age.... go for it!  But if you aren't all of the above, I believe you should start with attending your studio's / academy's program.  I think the sooner the better, but isn't what I necessarily want to emphasize.  I think that as you are coming closer to the age where you have to decide what you want to do in your future, that is when a summer intensive might come most valuable.  You want to attempt to go to the company that you are interested in working for, which will allow you to get familiar with how they function, the faculty, and may gain you recognition in later auditions.

In conclusion, summer intensives build experience from the first audition of audition season, to applying your knowledge when you return to regular class in the fall.  I feel that you find a lot of improvement when doing this, especially because you are putting yourself out of your comfort zone found at your local studio and working hard for a many weeks straight.  I can almost promise that you will grow as a dancer, and hope this gives some useful insight!

~Hayden

The Experience and All the Little Details - Part 2

... (continued)

First things first, I'm just a tad bit tired, to be honest.  I'm relying on my adrenaline to perk me up, which I know will.  Man, am I going to sleep hard tonight though.  It's a little shocking that I have to dance again, at 8:30 p.m.... it's just not sinking in yet.  But I'm almost finished with make-up, then will head over to compete and get über warmed up.  I forgot to mention the open-stage earlier, which is a short amount time we get on stage before we compete to test out the stage and practice parts of our dance.  There isn't much room with all the others, but this is very important, especially for my variation, to see how well I'm on my leg and how my pointe shoes do on the floor.  As my family and I make our way to the car, I'm start to think of what I need to practice most during that time... I need all the time I get.

...

They are running slightly early, so I didn't have time to get my costume on for open stage, but it's not too big of a deal.  Things happen...especially at competitions (*reminiscing over all my "oh-no!" moments in the past).  Right now, waiting in the dressing room before I need to go backstage is when I get really stretched out and focused.  Then when I go backstage, I do jumps and relevés en pointe to warm my muscles up, as well as stay completely calm.  I almost want to be sweaty when I go onstage.  I sort of wish I was more towards the beginning of my time slot... this waiting is beginning to take a toll on me.  Just have to stay focused!

...

Both done!  Woohoo, but also (sad) aww!  I can't believe all that hard work was just wrapped up like that of a snap.  I didn't feel as great about this performance, but know it could have been worse.  I think with a huge time gap in between my dance, and having to perform to late at night (not that that's an excuse for anything) changed my mojo.  Also, the fact that someone did the exact same variation as me and did it so well, just a few before me didn't help.  This competition is truly so inspiring, watching all the talent.  Even though there was some stumbles, and I know I could have been more prepared, it will still be a moment I will cherish.  Time to sleep... a very, very, very deep sleep.

After the Awards Ceremony!

Saturday, January 31 - Last day on the stage....

Today I watched all my other teammates compete, and they all did beautifully.  Not only did I love watching them, but I loved watching the other competitors.  I looked at it like - I could try to apply what they were great at to my own dancing.  Shocker that I made it an educational thing. But later I will be doing my ensemble piece, which won't be as nerve racking because I won't be the only one up there!  I really just want to enjoy being on stage once more... plus I have awards later, which will be fun too (a chance for me to get all fancied up)!

...

In the end, all that matters is the progress I have made throughout the year.  Unfortunately, I won't be competing in New York, but got invited to go and do their week long intensive through my contemporary piece, which I may or may not attend. But now I have another year to look back on, and continue to grow from! Not sure what to do with all the free time when I return home where I would normally have rehearsals.. but now time for bed, and then a full day of master classes tomorrow.

~Hayden

The Experience and All the Little Details

Another two-part post... there's just too much to talk about with these things!

This past weekend was the longest weekend of my life, but probably one of the most memorable. Twelve of us from our studio made our way down to Las Vegas to compete in YAGP (check out my last post for preparation details), for our second year. To be honest, I didn't do as well as I'd hoped, but I still had a blast and gained a lot from this experience in positive ways. I'm going to format it kind of like my Nutcracker post to explain how each day went... hopefully you will want to go to this competition after reading this, and I highly suggest you do sometime in the future! Alright, now down to business.

Thursday, January 29 - And we're offff *airplane lifts off*

I think I'm physically and mentally challenged when it comes to packing... my brain gets stuck and I find myself laying on my floor, picking at the carpet with a bobby pin.  That's why it's crucial for me to make a list, and so I did last night.  And now I am double checking over that list, and probably will a few more times in final hours before my flight. TIP: If you are flying somewhere for a performance of some type, do not risk checking anything you will be needing onstage (costumes, pointe shoes, tights, etc.)... that would not be good if your expensive costume ended up on the wrong side of the country.   I love style, and this is Vegas, so I spent a lot of time, a little too much time, debating which outfits to bring last night at midnight.  Now we are about to leave for the airport (so much better than driving) and will be there by 6:00 tonight!

We just arrived at our hotel, which is 5 minutes away from the theatre (bonus #1), our room is like a little apartment with a bed room, bathroom, and living room/kitchen (bonus #2), and the pool meets the (high) expectations of my eight-year-old sister (bonus #3)!  Time to go to one of the many cool restaurants in this town, tour it a bit, and then get rested for my big day coming up!

Photo Courtesy of blog.dancedirect.com

Friday, January 30 - The day we've been training for...

I thought I would be more nervous, but I was wrong.  I just finished getting ready for my contemporary, which I am competing first, then followed by many hours to return late tonight for my classical *sigh*.  That is the one thing about YAGP competitions - with my experience so far, the schedule has been slightly wacky.  Anyways, back to reality.  We are almost to the dressing room, where my teacher will warm me up and I will stretch until a few before me.  At that I point, I will go back stage with my music and headphones, and run my dance multiple times.  Every time I am about to go onstage, I always get butterflies and excited about the number before me... I can't believe that will be happening so soon, once again!

...

One done, one to go!  I feel really good about how I did with my contemporary, which I think is the most important thing with this competition.  Of course, being my critical self, there were parts that I could have done better, but it's enough to just be able to perform on stage.  I'm feeling a little shaky from the adrenaline, which means I should probably eat soon.  We have a team dinner tonight, but until then, I'm going to go take a nap in my amazing hotel bed.  I've got to have enough energy, not only to get me through the rest of the day, but to perform again!  See you in a few.

To be continued....