Anyone Can Do Ballet!
This week’s profile is on Christine Lee Smith who has been dancing for a year now after taking ballet for “about five minutes” as a kid. Make sure you check out her awesome photography as well!
When did you start doing ballet as an adult?
January 2013.
Did you ever take lessons as a kid?
For about five minutes I took ballet when I was in kindergarten or first grade. I think I was traumatized by the on stage “Dumbo” performance we did because I didn’t go back.
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Image via https://www.facebook.com/itskatiemartin
I have a love/hate relationship with my bangs–half of the time I want to chop them super short and half of the time I want to grow them out so that I don’t always have to clip them up when my hair goes up into a bun for ballet or a messy bun for running. Although I wish that I could rock bangs like Katie Martin from Breaking Pointe–they would probably fail on my face. So instead, I’m testing out my patience once again by attempting to grow out my bangs.
I’m pretty much a Pinterest Hair and Beauty addict–I love using it to find some new hairstyles, new hair colors (I’m tempted to go red all over again thanks to Pinterest!). I’ve currently been digging around to find some hairstyles that’ll be perfect for hiding my awkward-length bangs:
| The side bang braid used to be my go to look soon after Quinn Fabray started rocking them on Glee. I love them so much that there’s even a god-awful tutorial made by yours truly out there on YouTube if you look for it. (Image via http://www.fashionmavenmommy.com/2013/04/french-bang-braid-video-tutorial.html) | |
| Another one of my favorites is to twist up my bangs and pin them down to the side. I’ve even rocked this look with a low bun to ballet! (Image via http://www.pinterest.com/pin/211317407489561826/ | |
| Last but not least, I love pinning back my bangs with a little bit of a “poof” or no poof just to keep them out of my face! (Image via http://www.ihaveadegreeinthis.com/2012/02/7-ways-to-style-your-outgrown-bangs.html) |
I frequently also rock a headband to keep those pesky bangs out of my face at class or while at home.Have you ever grown out your bangs before? How’d you keep them out of your face? Are you addicted to Pinterest like I am? Let me know in the comments!
Every once in a while, it just feels good to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and head home to the suburbs for the weekend. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that a lot more (and cheaper) shopping options once you leave the city–especially if you don’t have a car in the city. I even kept joking that I should do all the shopping I possibly could because there was a 2% difference in sales tax at home! I was glad to get in some shopping at Target (we went twice–it’s probably my favorite store) and some much-needed cheaper grocery shopping done (things can get expensive in Philly).
I didn’t end up picking up much besides groceries over the weekend, despite trying to find some new makeup. I did however pick up another pullover from Target since I love my current one for both running and ballet.
It was a last-minute decision to head home for the weekend–but I’m glad I decided to go. It was good to be home for a little while and away from my computer for most of the weekend (even if I didn’t get to work on my blog and its new design).
That’s it for now–but I’ll have plenty more reads for the rest of the week!
What did you do this weekend?
This week’s profile is of Jennifer Ann de la Torre, who runs a blog entitled The Dance of Mental Illness by Jennifer Ann de la Torre. She returned to ballet at the age of 39 after originally starting ballet at the age of 15.
When did you start doing ballet as an adult?
When I turned 39 this year, I decided to return to ballet.
Did you ever take lessons as kid?
I began ballet at the late age of 15. In my first year, I took private lessons at a local school. When I was 16, I was accepted into Goh Ballet Academy. I was placed in the general program. When I was 17, I passed the audition, and was accepted into the professional program! I was also in my first year en pointe. After my last summer intensive, I decided to quit to go to university.
Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?
I have been away from ballet for 22 years. Ballet is very healing. I have a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.
I also want to take my Royal Academy of Dancing or RAD, and Vaganova exams! At age 39, I am too late to become a professional ballerina. Most professional ballerinas retire at age 40! Taking my ballet exams is my way of being a professional ballerina!
Where do you take classes?
Currently, I am in between dance teachers and dance schools. I am seeking private ballet lessons to prepare me for my exams. I have been away from ballet for 22 years, so private lessons would serve me well.
What is your favorite part of ballet?
I love to do pirouettes! When I did my first pirouette at age 15, I fell on my bottom! I consider pirouettes my best ballet move! I like the strength, grace, and coordination of a pirouette. It would be neat if I could do a pirouette en pointe! In my first year en pointe, I was so scared of having to do a pirouette one day! At the age of 39, I am not scared anymore!
What is your least favorite part?
My least favorite part of ballet is having to stand at the front or the end of the barre! During my days at Goh Ballet, I copied the dancer in front of me at the barre! I cannot memorize steps at the barre, but I can memorize steps in centre.
Who/What is your ballet inspiration?
After my ballet classes, I would sit on the floor and watch Brianne Bland dance. I have always admired her strength and grace. She has the perfect ballerina body. Brianne was accepted into the Washington Ballet as a soloist for 13 seasons. I was sad to hear of her retirement, but I had the honor of watching her dance every day at my ballet school.
My other ballet inspiration is Shannon Grey. She was the best dancer in my class, and she always talked to me! She may have been the youngest and I was the oldest. When Shannon dances, I know that she loves ballet. Her expression in her face and in her body tells me that she loves to dance. We reunited 10 years ago at Goh Ballet. I was observing an adult class, and I had the honor of watching Shannon dance for the last time, while she warmed up at the barre.
Shannon was preparing for a small professional ballet company that she was accepted into.
What motivates you to keep dancing?
I feel beautiful when I dance!
Do you take any other dance classes?
I am a dance purist! Ballet is pure dance. The only dance I dance is ballet.
What are your hobbies outside of ballet?
I study violin with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music. I also sing, act, write, and draw.
What advice would you like to give those who want to start ballet or have just started?
If you begin ballet as a teenager, you still have the potential to become a professional ballerina! You would need to train full time at a professional ballet school. I began ballet at age 15. I trained with a professional ballet school. I have always regretted quitting….I always wonder if I would have made it as a professional ballerina if I did not quit.
Ballet does not have to end after childhood. The love of ballet is enough reason to dance. You do not have to become a professional ballerina.
Do you have a blog?
My blog is jenniferanndelatorre.
