May 22, 2015

Ballerina Profile: Tricia Romanishen

IMG_5812When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I started doing ballet when I was 39 🙂
Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

No I never took any ballet lessons when I was younger. I don’t really really even remembering asking to take any. I did take at least 2 seasons of Highland dancing when I was 5 or 6, until I convinced my parents to let me quit.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

My youngest daughter has been taking ballet and jazz lessons for the past 2 years. After watching her classes, her practicing at home, I thought I might like it. After watching her school’s end of year recital, I decided I really wanted to try and learn.

Where do you take classes?

I take classes twice a week at different studios. One studio is called Academy of Performing Arts, which is RAD based and my other studio is called Dixon’s Dance and Fitness Centre, which is Cecchetti based.

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May 8, 2015

Adult Ballerina Profile: Emilee Ayers

10679831_10202366864563152_5848099646574163555_oThis week’s profile is of Emilee Ayers. Check out her blog, Everything I need to know about life, I learn in dance class, too!

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

October of 2011 (I was 23)

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

for two years at 6 and 7, then again at 10 and 11. But I was taught in correctly and ineffectively. (I didn’t know the names of any movement whatsoever save for an arabesque.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

Despite knowing the names of nothing, they said I could get on pointe in two years. (this studio let anyone on at a certain age. I’m glad I didn’t stay.) It had been my dream since I was a kid to dance on pointe, but my mom pulled me out of dance when I started gaining weight due to puberty and didn’t take me seriously when I wanted to go back.

Where do you take classes?

Munro Ballet Studios and I’m an apprentice with the Corpus Christi Ballet

What is your favorite part about ballet?

I absolutely love the history and tradition behind it. It blows my mind to know that so many people have done the same thing I’m doing and learned the same technique that i’m learning. I feel like I’m part of a special group of people that consists of people from all over the world. Ballet is a universal language. I also love how it makes me feel. I am most alive when I’m dancing.Continue Reading

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May 1, 2015

Adult Ballerina Profile: Meghan of Wellies and Pearls and Ballet Shoes

DSC_0624This week’s profile is of Meghan. Check out her blog: Wellies and Pearls and Ballet Shoes.

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I returned to ballet in 2014 so I’ve only been back for a short while.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

I took classes for a year or so when I was 6 to 7 and then my family moved overseas so my early ballet career was short lived. I’ve always loved ballet, but it made it difficult to stick to anything as a military brat. Thankfully, I discovered musical theater when I was about 11-years-old so I had plenty of opportunities while growing up to sing and dance and ham it up! Later, I took ballet in college which was a great experience, and also after graduation when I was an intern working in D.C. … then I took a decade-long break!

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

The short answer is that I love ballet and found I really missed it! It was something I always said I would come back to when I had a good work and life balance so that I could fully commit.

Where do you take classes?

I take classes in the adult program at the School of the Richmond Ballet and feel so fortunate to be able to dance there.  I especially love that that the SRB has such a wonderful program geared at adults. I also take classes at a small studio near my work a couple of times a week.

What is your favorite part about ballet?

I love the whole ballet environment – the structure, the discipline, the combination of athleticism and artistry required, and especially, I love the challenge.Continue Reading

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March 27, 2015

Adult Ballerina Profile: Erika Raelyn Covarrubias

10541807_1540483126165819_3310689491129698934_nThis week’s profile is of Erika Raelyn Covarrubias! Check out her blog at bearika-ballerina.blogspot.com!

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I was eighteen (spring, 2004).

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

Sadly, no. I always wanted to though! The closest I got was show choir (5th through 12th grade). I’m sure my flexed-footed pirouettes were just beautiful. haha.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

I had always dreamed of taking dance classes, and even though I had wanted to be a performer on Broadway (singing,mainly), I had always wanted to take dance classes. Especially ballet.  My first semester of college, my classes were set for me and I didn’t really have a choice in what classes I took (not complaining…it was just two general ed classes), but my second semester, I signed myself up for Ballet 1 and loved it from the start!

Where do you take classes?

The local community college. You can’t really beat two hour-and-a-half classes twice a week for, I think, $12 per unit, and it was a one unit class. I also take the occasional class at the studio I teach at.

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March 15, 2015

Profiles Galore!

Just a quick update while we’re working on things for the site — I sent out a bunch of interview questions to those who have signed up to be interviewed for a profile! So check your inbox/spam if you were expecting one!

If you sent me back answers a while ago and your profile was never posted — let me know. I lot of things have gotten lost in my inbox lately and I probably just missed it.

If you haven’t yet signed up to be interviewed for a profile and/or guest blogging you can do so using this form:

 

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