February 21, 2014

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Jennifer Moon

WillandJennifer

Meet Jennifer Moon (her friends call her Jenna), pictured here with her role model, William Sterling Walker, III.

She’s been taking ballet classes for four years and has a lot of great advice for her fellow ballerinas, so check out her profile to learn more about her!

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

My first adult class was 4 years ago at age 36.

 Did you ever take lessons as a kid? 

I took few lessons when I was young and then was a cheerleader in high school.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult? 

I had always wanted to be a ballerina.  From the time I was 7 or 8, I was a dancer on the inside.  It was all I dreamed about day after day.  I would dance around my living room and dream of being a ballerina.  When I was going through my divorce I had more time since we had shared custody of our kids.  I needed an escape from the craziness of my life then and taking ballet seemed to fill a huge void for me.

Where do you take classes?

I currently take classes at both Richmond Ballet and at Latin Ballet.  Once a year, I also attend Sun King Dance a Ballet Camp for adults.  It is an amazing experience… You have a week with other adult dancers that are on “vacation”.  We have an EBAS (Elemental Body Alignment Systems) class, Technique, Pointe, Variation and Performance class.  They have professional photographer to take your own “Ballerina” photos, plus there is a choreographed performance at the end of our week.  For that one week it doesn’t matter what your profession is or what is going in your life, we all escape to our one common passion, Ballet!!!

 What is your favorite part about ballet?

It’s total “absorption”; it’s the hour of my day over which I have complete control.  My sole focus is on dance and what my body is doing.  Am I turned out, am I in plié before I jump, are my thumbs tucked in and my shoulders down. Remembering the combination is all you can think of.

What is your least favorite part?

My least favorite part is missing a class and seeing other people that are able to make it to classes more frequently getting better than I am.  Also, sometimes not being able to execute movements across the floor is frustrating to me, especially when I see that others can.

 Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

My number one inspiration as a dancer is William Sterling Walker, III.  The moment I saw him dance it was so inspiring and beautiful. I knew I needed to take a class from him and I did.  I would drive an hour and a half just to take a class from him and I loved it.  Each night I left I felt like I could conquer the world and that I was going to one day actually be a ballerina.  He is the most talented dancer and an amazing person as well!!!

 What motivates you to keep dancing?

My husband motivates me.  He constantly reminds me of the high I feel when I come home from dance.  I always feel like I just had a day at the spa when I leave ballet.  I just love it.  It makes me feel beautiful and graceful even when I am not.

 Do you take any other dance classes? 

I am currently taking a modern class with Annielile Gavino Kollman from Malayaworks and have taken an African Caribbean class with Kevin Jones that I LOVED!!!! So freeing!

 What are your hobbies outside of ballet? 

I volunteer a lot of my time.  I am co-chair of Parish Life at my church (Holy Comforter), teach Children’s Chapel and teach liturgical dance for the “Little Angels.” I am on the Junior Board of the Children’s Museum of Richmond and am Co-Chair of Development for them which heads up their annual fundraiser “Carniball.” I am also on the Board of Boaz & Ruth an organization that helps people reintegrate into society and Volunteer for the Children’s Hospital of Richmond.  I love to volunteer for CARITAS which helps feed the homeless that stay at our church for a week or two every year.  I am also lucky enough to substitute teach at the Latin Ballet of Virginia for their little ones. My husband calls me his walking tithe.

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

Try to take more than one class a week, if possible.  The more you take, the better you will get.  It is such an amazing discipline.  Also, try to experience classes at different places periodically.  One teacher might say it in a way that makes it click better.  Also, go online and get the EBAS DVD from www.doebas.com.  This technique warms your body from the inside out.  It makes your turnout much better if you can do it before a ballet class. You will be AMAZED!!

 Anything else you’d like to add? 

Ballet is so much more than you can ever imagine.  It is discipline, precision, grace, hard work and failing over and over again until you get it right and when you do get it right it will be worth every moment.  Don’t let others who are better frustrate you.  Each of us has different bodies and limitations.  Just be the best ballerina YOU can be.

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Ballerina Profiles, Interviews Tagged With: , 5 Comments
January 31, 2014

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Nicola Lynde

IMG_3759This week’s profile on Nicola Lynde comes all the way from Denmark! Check it out and make sure you visit Nicola’s blog, http://nicola-lynde.blogspot.dk, too!

When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

I took the odd class in my early 20’s, but not regularly, and started dancing properly at 26.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

I was a rhythmic gymnast as a child and took ballet lessons in conjunction with that. I had a base knowledge of a lot of the movements, but realized just how much I was missing, particularly the terminology, when I started ballet again.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

I have always wanted to dance en pointe. Hasn’t every little girl? I decided to try and achieve this before my 30th birthday.

Where do you take classes?

I dance at Sceneindgagen, in Copenhagen Denmark. They are a primarily modern Dance studio, but offer ballet classes as well. Luckily they are very international too, so about half my classes are in English.  (http://www.sceneindgangen.dk/dance-studio/sceneindgangen)

What is your favorite part about ballet?

Dancing en pointe. In the past couple months I’ve gotten to the stage where I feel comfortable, like the shoes are a natural extension of my leg. There’s just such lightness to it, like you are floating.

What is your least favorite part?

Frappés. Hands down. My brain hates them, and they are a constant struggle.

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

I don’t have one particular inspiration, but draw it from multiple sources. Living in Copenhagen I can see the Royal Danish Ballet preform once in awhile, which is an amazing experience, not least of all because of the amazing Royal Theatre. I also get a lot of inspiration from watching the full time students at my studio, who are training towards a career in dance. They are young, full of energy, and very fun to watch, and to try and keep up with. I also find inspiration in others stories, which is why I like visiting blogs about other adults who dance.

What motivates you to keep dancing?

Improving my ability. I can see such a large improvement from the year I’ve been back dancing and I constantly want to see this.

Do you take any other dance classes?

I take one modern class a week. The modern teacher at my studio is fantastic, and her classes have an amazing energy that I have to be a part of.

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

I blog, knit, cook and take pictures. I’m a fulltime student again, as of September 2013, so my time is a bit more flexible now than it was while working full time. I’m generally pretty busy, but enjoy that lifestyle.

Be patient. Don’t compare yourself to others, only to yourself.

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January 24, 2014

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Polly

trendsetterPolly, previously a figure skater as a kid and then a serious runner, first started taking ballet after taking her daughter to classes. She decided ballet ballet would be a way to add grace and beauty to her life.

Here’s Polly’s ballet story:

I took the first ballet class of my life in Sept. 2013 — at age 47. I take my daughter to Opus Dance Studio in Ashland, Ohio. She is 10 and is in a low-intermediate class. This past summer I drank in every single moment of her classes – it was all I could do to stay in my seat. It’s just something that I’ve always wanted to do and I decided I wasn’t getting any younger. The director let me join the low-intermediates too. Walking in on the first day took immense courage.

As a younger person, I figure skated throughout my elementary school years, and then became a serious runner. I was always sort of a sturdy, muscular, competitive type – nothing ethereal about me. I decided that ballet would be a way to add grace and beauty to my life and help me get a grip on my core. I have five children and haven’t felt completely at home in this body for some time.

I”ve been going to class 3 x a week. Some days are better than others. I’ve cried tears of frustration and tears of joy. Several things are difficult for me, including jetes. I am flexible in the hamstrings but not so much in the hip. Stretching an arabesque at the barre is nearly impossible. Grand plies in 4th are also hard for me. And memorizing combos! My middle aged brain works a lot slower than those of the teenagers around me. I’ve been told that I “muscle my way through everything” so am trying to work on being more languid. There is no way I can compare myself to the young people around me, but it’s hard, because I still feel 12 yrs old in my head. Where did the time go?

I love ronde de jambs because they make me feel tall and pretty ( I am 5’4 and size 12-14), and also balance’s, because they are so much fun. Every once in a while I will just forget myself and dance like there’s nobody watching, and that is when it’s the most joyful — that as chubby and clumsy as I am, I have this healthy body that still works. There is one other mother in her 40’s at the studio. She is advanced but sometimes will come to our class and together we make up the “peri-menopausal corner” of the room. That makes me laugh.

I’m not sure what my dance plans are. There is so much to learn, and I”m only a brand new beginner. I’ll keep taking classes as long as the money holds out. Would love to add tap at some point. I’m inspired by other older beginners that I see on the internet. I also love to watch all the girls at the studio. So many body types and yet they all dance beautifully. There is no time like the present. If you have a dream, it’s time to go for it.

I do not have a blog. Once upon a time I was a newspaper reporter, but I’ve been home taking care of my children for years. I love old books, strong coffee, knitting with wool, and hiking with my family.

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January 17, 2014

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Christine Lee Smith

Christine-Lee-SmithThis 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.

Continue Reading

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January 10, 2014

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Jennifer Ann de la Torre

jenny-in-pink1This 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.wordpress.com,  entitled The Dance of Mental Illness by Jennifer Ann de la Torre. I share stories of my recovery from mental illness and addiction. My latest diagnosis is schizoaffective disorder. I present to you my dance of mental illness and addiction and my recovery step by step…

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