April 24, 2015

Adult Ballerina Profile: Pinky

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I started ballet Fall 2014.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

No, I [and my two sisters] was so involved with sports that there was no extra time to take dance. We did gymnastics so we received a lil dance training for floor exercise, but other than that all dancing in our home was self taught.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

I’ve always wanted to take ballet and a friend of mine, who grew up dancing, mentioned she still attends dance class as an adult. That got me thinking, “Hey, I bet I can find a beginners class somewhere”. I also found this blog and it made me realize I wasn’t the only person interested in adult ballet.

Where do you take classes?

Adagio Ballet

What is your favorite part about ballet?

The clothes. Haha, just kidding. I mean, I love my tights, leotard and skirt, but there is so much that I enjoy about ballet. I love the beautiful lines in a simple plie or in a jete, ballet is just so clean and precise. However, my favorite part of ballet is mastering a new move and knowing you’ve nailed a combination that’s previously given you trouble.

What is your least favorite part?

The flexibility and foot control. I have bad ankles from years of soccer and it makes releves hard to master. My balance normally is pretty stellar, but on releve I’m extremely wobbly. I am also incredibly INFLEXIBLE so my movements aren’t nearly as beautiful as I’d like them. Oh and my tight hips, yeah they don’t really help either.

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

This blog was a big inspiration. Adult ballet was on my mind for awhile and when I stumbled across this blog it was like the go ahead I needed to try a class. The Nutcracker and Swan Lake are my other inspirations. I’ll never get tired of watching either ballet.

What motivates you to keep dancing?

The desire to get better and the high of nailing a new combination or receiving praise from my teacher. Sometimes I’m dragging at the beginning of class and my plies are just blah. But, by the end when we’re going across the floor I find myself wishing for a longer class because I’m having so much fun. I enjoy the challenge of something new every class.

Do you take any other dance classes?

No, unless you count the occasional Zumba class. I took beginners modern, jazz and ballroom dancing in college and those were some of my favorite courses.

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

I still play coed soccer, am on multiple kickball teams, run, play tennis, workout at the gym and sporadically attend yoga classes. [Squats don’t really come in handy when I’m trying to plie, my teacher calls me out all the time for an untucked tush]. I also love to read, blog and cook in my spare time.

What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?

Take the plunge and just do it. Even if you’re scared you’ll look silly, in a beginners class everyone is new. Remember to take each class at a time and that Rome wasn’t built in a day. You’ll have good classes and challenging class but don’t give up.


Anything else you’d like to add?

I’m just really happy I took the plunge and attended a class. It is such a fun activity and I love ‘playing ballerina’ once a week. I’m not very good and I have so much to work on, but I truly enjoy the challenge.

Do you have a blog?

Yes, my lil piece of the internet is http://pinkypersistence.blogspot.com

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April 19, 2015

Adult Ballerina Profile: Lori

1625691_10151841386207540_671970627_nWhen did you start doing ballet as an adult? 

June 25, 2012, at the age of 38 (I’m a data geek, and can tell you I’ve taken 174 classes, taken 2 workshops, and I’m rehearsing for my 2nd performance!)

Did you ever take lessons as a kid? 

I tried a few times, but was too fat/too dweeby/too uncoordinated (I ended up in theater:)). It was something I always wanted to do, though. Dancers have a grace about them that I always envied.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult? 

I’m a cyclist, and was looking for a way to cross train. The natural thought was swimming, but I was having shoulder issues. I was amazed to find that adults COULD even take ballet. So, I did a weeks worth of research, put on like 10 suffocating layers of lycra and nylon, and went to my first class. I was SO terrified my hand was shaking on the barre!

Where do you take classes? 

Walnut Creek, and Berkeley CA. I’m lucky enough to have some amazing studios nearby, so I’m always looking for interesting events and classes (Alonzo King LINES “All You Can Dance” workshop is crazy fun!)

What is your favorite part about ballet?

I love turning crazy athleticism into grace. The allure of ballet is that people don’t know how HARD it cam be, physically. As an athlete, I’m attracted to that. I love looking the mirror and every once in a while, seeing myself as a dancer (My seven year old self starts cheering!) When I started, I tried really hard to be gentle and serene, they way I believed dancers were supposed to be. Then I had this great teacher who told me “That’s not who you are. Dance like you’re attacking it. Be fiery, be fierce.” I took that to heart.

What is your least favorite part?

Choreography. Having never done it, my brain is still learning HOW to learn to dance. Even the simplest of combinations can completely freak me out. Once I panic, it’s over.

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

I think if anything, my inspiration is me. For all the times I believed it was something I couldn’t do, like a gift meant for someone else. I DO have this dubstep video of Polina Semionova, that’s wild. You can see her power. There’s nothing delicate about it, and it reminds me of what I want people to see when I dance.

What motivates you to keep dancing?

I don’t do anything without getting a little obsessed (I think you have to. You have to have it in your heart) and as long as I’m improving, I’ll keep going. I was once told that progress was sometimes measured incrementally.It’s happening whether you’re aware or not. I also made pointe this year, so that’s a whole new avenue to explore. I’d love to be able to do centerwork en pointe someday. Someday!

Do you take any other dance classes?

Nope. Everything else moves too fast, and my aging brain can’t keep up. Unless like boogieing around the house counts!

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

I ride bikes. Not as much as I used to (ballet kind of took over), but I love a great 65 mile ride. I ride with this great group of women, and we’re all so supportive of one another. And there’s frequently wine at the end so….
I’m also something of a gym rat, and love to strength train. I’m vegan, and I love to cook almost as much as I love to eat. It’s a lot going on, but Sundays I take completely off. I meal prep, then watch various sporting events with my husband.

What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?

Just keep going. Even when you cry. Even if you’re always the worst student. Keep going. It gets better. If you have found any joy, then keep going. I think as adult dancers, knowing that we’ll never make NYCB is pretty liberating. You’ll be judged more on your effort, your heart, what you put in to it that what it looks like in the end.

I was really given a gift to have met my first ballet teacher. Anyone else might have scared me off, but she was so kind and patient. I still go and see her.
In the beginning, I think that’s really important. You’re handing over your body, your mind and to be frank, your self esteem to this person. Find someone you trust with those things. Even the tiniest movements can be the most difficult, so use your mental energy to improve, not to criticize yourself.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Haha. Haven’t I said enough? I could go on for days…I’m still struggling. My weight is a concern, especially now that I’m on pointe. My first performance I was horrified and cried for DAYS after seeing myself on tape. I’ve recovered, and I’m performing again this year.

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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 20, 2015

Adult Danseur Profile: Sean

sean nutcrackerWhen did you start doing ballet as an adult?
About 3 years ago.
Did you ever take lessons as a kid?
 
HA – I did – as a child I was incredibly clumsy.  The local ballet studio gave free classes to boys, so I took lessons.  Can’t say it helped me be any less of a klutz, but I did learn to love it.
Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?
 
I started up again for a couple of reasons:-
-A coworker told me she’d always wanted to take a ballet class – but she was sad now b/c she was too old to try.  Thats a pet peeve of mine – saying ‘I’m too old to do xyz’, if you’re not dead yet, you’re not too old.  You might never be the greatest, but thats ok, you can still have fun.
-The second reason I took classes was because my elder sister had majored in theatre and dance, but as she got older she got a ‘normal’ job and has let those things go out of her life.  I told her that I’d take a ballet class if she would…
Where do you take classes?
I take classes wherever I can – these days I take classes primarily at Gainesville Ballet (http://gainesvilleballetcompany.org) – It is a great school and the teachers are outstanding/encouraging and extremely professional.  My only complaint is that I can’t take more classes there 🙂
What is your favorite part about ballet?
I love the structure, that there is a right way and a wrong way to do things – I love that for all the artistry and expression, there is a set of rules, movements, etc – that must be learned and perfected.  I may never do a perfect tendu, but I know that such a thing exists – at least hypothetically.
What is your least favorite part?
petit allegro and I have a love/hate relationship.  I feel like I’m just incapable of moving as fast or jumping as high (and definitely not capable of quickly jumping high) as I would like to.
Who/What is your ballet inspiration?
Since beginning adult classes I’ve gone to a number of schools – I have to say that one consistent thing is that the teachers are all amazing people – I don’t mean only that I find their dancing beautiful, but their kindness and patience is incredible.  Every teacher I’ve had has done a fantastic job in showing me the right way to do things but also at showing me their love of ballet.
What motivates you to keep dancing?
That I might someday get any better at it 🙂
What are your hobbies outside of ballet?
I used to be a long distance runner but have taken a rather long break from that – I desperately need to get back to running, if only to get rid of my growing gut.
What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?
Turn out starts at the hip, don’t push stretches too hard – you can hurt yourself that way, if it feels natural you’re probably doing it wrong.
What advice would you give to other guys who want to take ballet?
As a dude, you might worry that people won’t be accepting or that they will be judgmental – generally I’ve not found that to be as true as I would have thought.  Reactions from others range from complete disinterest to full-fledged curiosity.  Reactions from class mates vary, I have found that there is usually a class or two period where I’m not sure that my class mates are cool with the strange, ugly, bearded dude in class. If you work hard though the other students will accept you and it is a nice feeling when you feel like you’ve been accepted into the class – note of warning though, once you are accepted you may hear all kinds of conversations that you were never ready for.
A second note – as a adult student, clothing/uniform restrictions are generally more lax than they are for the younger students, so no, you probably won’t have to wear tights (although you could if you wanted to), and while almost everyone will ask you if you wear a tutu b/c EVERYONE seems to think thats a hysterical joke, as a dude (unless you’re a trockadero) a tutu is definitely out.  A dance belt is a good idea though. . .
How as a whole can we encourage more guys to take an adult ballet class? 
Well – I don’t really have an answer for that – I guess I have two thoughts on this:
On the one hand, I think the issue is that men see ballet as feminine, ‘artsy-fartsy’, and just generally not for men – or that the men who do it are weird.  Ultimately I think men just need to be exposed to more ballet. Thats really the only way they can learn to appreciate the athleticism and precision.  Outside of that, I think inviting a male friend to a class couldn’t hurt – I can’t lie, a man might go to his first class thinking it’ll be easy (or thinking it’s an easy way to meet women) but once class starts, I think that nonsense would drop out. . .
On the other hand, ultimately how to get more men involved is the same problem I feel ballet at large faces – how to get more people involved… I think the way to get more people involved in ballet is to educate the public, but that costs money that the smaller local companies and schools don’t want/can’t afford to spend on outreach, but unless the audience/enrollment grows then the budget won’t grow – in my humble opinion, it’s a problem for ballet – not just for appealing to men, but to American participation/viewership at large.
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January 30, 2015

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Galene

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This week’s profile is of Galene, who started ballet almost three years ago because she wanted to try new things and she was impressed with the athleticism and elegance of a ballerina.

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I started almost three years ago. I was a freshman in college and wanted to try new things.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

I took a community ballet class when I was around 5, but that only lasted a few months. I did gymnastics from ages 3 – 8, and I think that “prepared” for future Galene’s ballet experience.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

I was always so impressed with the athleticism and elegance of a ballerina, and I wanted to achieve that too.

Where do you take classes?

Joy of Motion Dance Center and Maryland Youth Ballet

What is your favorite part about ballet?

I like the barre. It’s my time to relax while still exercising my body.

What is your least favorite part?

Ballerina “fashion” … the adorable leotards, legwarmers, skirts… there is a lot of pressure to look good.

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

I watch a lot of ballet videos on youtube. I like the Royal Ballet. I get to peek into professional dancers’ lives and live through them. It encourages me to try harder in class.

What motivates you to keep dancing?

I like overcoming challenges and pushing myself to new limits. The accomplishment keeps me sane.

Do you take any other dance classes?

I took one jazz class. I really struggled.

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

I like to play piano.

What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?

Don’t give up! I really had a hard time adjusting at first. There is no easy way into ballet. When I thought something was easy, I was doing it wrong!

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