Beginner Danseur Profile: Vince Svitak

100_0904Vince started taking ballet in February 2o13.  He says that while ballet was always a passion of his, he wasn’t able to start as a kid. But now that he’s an adult, he says, “it doesn’t matter to me what people think cause ballet is something I love and wanted to dance!”

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?   

I first started taking adult ballet in February, 2013.  When I first started taking classes, I didn’t feel I was keeping up with the class, so I decided to take private lessons to help build up my technique and stayed with it. Since taking my classes, I have progressed to pointe, so I have come a long way since I first started, but still more to learn and experience as I go to class.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?  

No, I never went to lessons as a kid.  I was too shy and as a kid, the boys would get ridiculed for taking ballet instead of doing sports, so it pushed me away from taking classes.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?   

I started taking ballet as an adult for a few reasons. First, ballet was always a passion of mine and wasn’t able to start as a kid. But now that I’m an adult, it doesn’t matter to me what people think cause ballet is something I love and wanted to dance! Another reason is because I was in a car accident, back in 2012, and wanted to get back into shape and the gym just wasn’t my style cause it is always the same repetition all the time and ballet you learn something new every time you go to class and it gives you a better appreciation for dance all around! But after class, it gives me more confidence and I feel better about myself cause I started a passion I love!

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Quick update about the forums + Twitter Chat

As you may have noticed, the forums are gone. I couldn’t get them to work correctly and they ended up created a lot of spam on ABP. However, we have quite the growing Facebook group going on at the moment. Just request access and then introduce yourself!

Also, I’d love to start hosting Twitter chats again! We held a few about a year and half ago. Let me know if you’re interested in the comments (and please leave your Twitter handle if I don’t already follow you!) I’d also like to get people to co-host and ask questions with me on a regular basis, so let me know if you’re interested in that as well.

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas for Ballerinas and Runners

If you’re anything like me, you’re totally guilty of waiting until the last minute to buy gifts (in fact, I’m even in the process of working on some crafts as gifts right now.  Here’s some recommendations of my favorite things lately:

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FlipBelt

I love love my flipbelt. I mostly use it for running, but if I take a class outside of my normal studio (where I normally feel comfortable leave my belongings in my bag), I'd wear it to keep my phone, ID and cards on me. It's pretty awesome. Read my review of it here Use code Sweat10 for 10% off or email me at aballerinaproject at gmail dot com for a 30% code.

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Fleecys Keeping Dancers Warm

I just found out about these and bought myself a pair--but I'm already pretty sure HQ is buying me a second pair to wear to ballet class in the winter.

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Zensah Socks and sleves

I love my compression socks, sleeves (and leggings too!). Zensah sleeves are my favorite, and they are by far the most comfy.

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Adult Booties - Style Number: IM009

Although these are sold out a lot of the time, they're worth the wait. I have a large pair in red, and I'm waiting on a second (smaller) pair on backorder in purple.

Disclaimer: I’ve received a Flipbelt for free and have received Zensah socks for free in the past as well, but my opinions are my own.

Ballerina Profile: Patricia

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This week’s profile is of Patricia, who started ballet this past November, because she was always interested in ballet and figured picking it back up in college would be a good idea before she had to start looking for a real job and figuring out her career.
When did you start doing ballet as an adult?
I started doing ballet at the age of 20 this past November after some major deliberation.
 
Did you ever take lessons as a kid?
I took ballet classes when I was 3 years old but stopped after a year.
 
Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?
I was always interested in ballet and thought it was just so beautiful. I figured picking it back up in college would be a good idea before I had to start looking for a real job and figuring out my career.
 
Where do you take classes?
I take classes at Joy of Motion in Friendship Heights and am thinking about trying out some other places in DC.
 
What is your favorite part about ballet?
I really like doing rond de jambes. They are hard to do but I like how they work my hips.
 
What is your least favorite part?
My least favorite part is keeping time and counting. That is one thing about dancing that I hate. But I’m working on it.
 
Who/What is your ballet inspiration?
Pretty much I am inspired by anyone that loves what they do. One of my friends, Galene, dances ballet so she inspires me a lot. She’s even dancing in a production of the Nutcracker this winter! I also like watching Ashley Bouder and Chase Finlay from NYCB dance.
 
What motivates you to keep dancing?
I want to constantly keep getting better, constantly improving and nailing down a proper technique.
 
Do you take any other dance classes?
Not at the moment, no.
 
What are your hobbies outside of ballet?
I don’t really have any other hobbies. School is like a full time job but its alright.
 
What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?
If you aren’t sure about dancing just take another drop in class with another teacher or try out a different place. You can always talk to your classmates or teachers if you aren’t sure or have worries even though it might be intimidating. They have probably been through what your feeling now and would love to help! (Probably) Just don’t give up without giving it a shot.
Do you have a blog?
Not yet. I’ll let you know if I get it up and running.

 

Ballerina Profile: Grier Cooper

WriterDancerBodyThis week’s profile is of Grier Cooper, who writes a blog “The Writer in a Dancer’s Body” (which you can find on www.griercooper.com).  She regularly interview Bay Area dancers, choreographers, and artistic directors and share current news and trends in the dance world.

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I came back to ballet a few years after I stopped dancing professionally in my early 20s.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

I started taking ballet lessons when I was five years old. I later went on to train full-time at the School of American Ballet and performed with San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Although I always loved dancing and performing I eventually realized that the demands and sacrifices I made to be a dancer really weren’t paying off. I decided it was time to switch gears and explore other things.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

I came back to dance after taking a few years off because dance had been one of the few constants in my life. Ballet studios feel like home, not just because I’ve spent so much time there but because they are a sanctuary of sorts, a place to let go and connect to something larger than myself.

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