Night of Shining Stars

Night of Shining Stars Promotional Flyer

Image Courtesy of: Ballet West

I attended the Night of Shining Stars gala on Saturday February, 27th. I went to the gala because it was an extension of Youth American Grand Prix which was the competition I was competing in that weekend. Actually some of the performers in the gala competed in YAGP earlier that day. 

The performance was incredible! They brought out professional dancers from around the world. The dancers were from New York City Ballet, San Fransisco Ballet, Dancing with the Stars, MOMIX, Ballet West, Joffrey Ballet, and Ballet Red. 

One of my favorite performances of the night was one performed by Nicole Loizides and Todd Burnsed from MOMIX, it was called Millennium Skiva. The entire piece was performed on skies, and they were wearing these sliver body suits and silver skies that were reflecting all the light. In the piece they were shifting their weight back and forth. They were also jumping up on the tips of the skies. I had never seen anything like it.

One of my other favorite performances was performed by this thirteen year old. She was incredible! I was shocked that she was almost better then some of the soloists from the professional companies. Which was even more of a shock was the next day I found out that she had sick the whole weekend and during the performance was running a 102 fever. I thought it was amazing how well she performed, you never would have known she was sick.

My absolute favorite things about the gala were being able to see some of the most talented young dancers in the country and winners of previous Youth American Grand Prix competition. I also loved being able to see some of the best professional dancers in the world perform right next to each other. I have never seen so much talent in one show.

Inspiration

Misty Copeland ABT Principal

Image Courtesy Of: NY Daily News

Dear Misty Copeland

Work. That's what you have taught me, you have shown me that if you set your mind to something there is always a way to achieve it. I have danced all my life but never really believed anything would come out of it, until now.

I first came across a video of you dancing a few years ago and was blown away but never thought much of it, but this past summer that changed. When I  heard the news that you had become American Ballet Theatre's principal dancer, I thought to myself "Wow! That is true determination". I think the most amazing thing about you is with all the odds stacked against you, you still found a way to succeed. Such as how people would say "Oh, she doesn't have the right body type to be a ballerina"  or "She can't be a ballerina she's black" but you didn't listen, stood up, and proved them wrong.

Everyday when I feel like I can't do something or don't have the right abilities to do something. I think that will get me no where and keep on pushing.  

This blog is about my experiences and hopes and dreams for my future. I also just enjoy sharing what I love with the world. I may not have the best technique or flexibility but what I do have is drive and passion, and you've taught me that is what is important and really matters. I hope that you keep reading my blog to see just how much we have in common and the love we share for dance.

Nothing Like Some Good Old Competition

One of Last Years Pieces

Image Courtesy Of: Alexa Wilcox 

Yep! That's right! Competition season is just around the corner, and believe me when I say I am not the least bit excited.

Well that is probably because competitions consist of being smushed in a crowded car driving to some random high school and dealing with crazy loud mothers. Also I end up having to miss a lot of school which puts me behind on all of my assignments. This year I think we are doing three or four competitions so I just got to toughen it up and get through it.

There is really only one competition I am looking forward for, and that is YAGP or Youth America Grand Prix. YAGP is the largest ballet competition in the national and amazing dancers from across the globe are competing in it. I am competing at one of their regional competitions, the winners at all of the regional competitions then go to the Finals in New York City. I doubt I would ever get to the finals, but it is still an amazing experience.

It's not even the performing I am excited about but that I get to see such amazing and dedicated dancers. To be honest I am actually really scared, it is very nerve racking to be compared to some of the best dancers in the country. Also I have had a hurt back and hip and am behind in my rehearsals so am extremely scared that I will not remember my dance or be feeling better.

Honestly I feel that I am ready and this happens to most people because performing is just a very nerve racking thing. The most rewarding feeling is when you come off stage and know you have improved and accomplished something.

Weird Shoes..... Right On Pointe

Beautiful Point Shoes

Photo Courtesy Of: freemotion

Everyone knows that when someone mentions ballet they think of those weird shoes ballerinas wear that make then walk on their toes. Well those weird shoes are called point shoes!

Point shoes have been around for hundreds of years, and you may say they look uncomfortable but back then they were a lot worse. Actually the first dancers to wear dancers weren't even really touching the ground! In 1795 the "Flying Machine was invented which lifted dancers upward allowing them to easily stand on their toes. Later ballet lost the wires and the pointe shoes dancers wear today began to evolve.

For people who don't know a lot about pointe work they might say "Hey can I try a pair, I'm a size 7!"
But getting pointe shoes is not even close to that first of all point shoes run in a completely different size system, for example in street shoes I'm a size 7 but in pointe shoes I'm a size 6 XXX. 

Secondly not just anyone can go on pointe. You're ankles must be strong and well trained also if kids start to young it can mess up the growth in their foot. 

Lastly point shoes are not the same. There are many brand and not all work for everybody. For example my first year on pointe my pointe shoes were from a company called Bloch. That year was torture, they were waaaaaaay to wide so my feet kept slipping and all of my weight was on my big toes. The next year I started wearing a different brand of pointe shoes called Grishkos which are a much more narrow and I have been wearing them ever since.

Pointe for me is a love / hate relationship. I love dancing on point shoes and they make you lines look so beautiful. On the down side pointe is extremely touch on your ankles and usually causes many blisters and feet injuries.

I hope that if you dance on pointe or hope to someday try it that you do not rush into things because pointe work is all about practice and delicacy.

When You Just Need A Break

Last Years Nutcracker

Photo Courtesy Of: Park City Dance

Life can be tough. Currently I am lying in bed just as I have been for the past twenty four hours. Since it's holiday break I told myself "You need to take sometime to do completely nothing."

How did I get hear? Well that is a very long story. I'll start off by saying always know what you are getting into because you never want to be doing to much.

About a month ago I decided that I wanted to coordinate the schools talent show, I knew it would be a lot a work but I was up for the challenge. The next day I learned the talent show was going to be the day before Nutcracker which I had been rehearsing for already a couple of months and had a lot more rehearsals to come. Then I realized that the talent show and Nutcracker were at the end of the week before break which meant I was going to have a bunch of tests and assignments due then. I decided I could get through it, all I had to do was push through that one week.

When that week came around I was kind of prepared, but still had a lot of work to do. It was Wednesday night I was up studying for my geography test until about midnight when I decided I really need to get some sleep. I woke up and looked at my clock I saw the nineteen when the last to digits were so thought my alarm clock should go off in a minute so I turned it off. I got dressed, did my hair, walked down stairs, and ate breakfast. I finished my bowl of cereal and walked over to the sink to put it away. After my bowl was in the sink I looked down at my phone to see how much time I had before I needed to leave. My phone said it was 2:45 am. Then I collapsed on the floor historically laughing and balling at the same time.

That day I roamed the halls extremely tired, I knew what I had to get done. After school all I wanted to do was go home and sleep. I was very behind on studying for my geography test so ended up missing dance and studying until midnight again.

The next morning I woke up late but my parents said I could miss my first class to get some extra sleep. I went into geography and took my test then went to get ready for the talent show. The talent show was a HUGE success! That night just as I was getting all my stuff ready for the Nutcracker I realized I had left my point shoes at the dance studio. So that night at ten oclock I had to break into the studio, well technically it wasn't breaking in because I have a key just to get my point shoes. 

The next day I woke up at seven am to get my stuff packed, do my hair, put on my make up, and head over to the theatre. The Nutcracker was great but I was also half asleep during it.

Finally that Sunday I sat on a plane leaving for Hawaii finally being able to take a breath.

New York New York

Bright Lights Of Time Square

Photo Courtesy Of: The Jet Life

Every one knows New York. But not everyone knows it is the dance capital of the world. I decided to right about New York since I just got back from visiting it. I went to New York mainly because I have family near the city and we wanted to spend Thanksgiving with them.

I love spending time with my family. I had Thanksgivings dinner at my cousins house with my grandparents, aunt, and uncle. I can not say that was my most favorite part of the trip...... I love New York because there is just so much to do. When our plane touched down I had a three page check list in my hand of everything I wanted to do, sadly I only got to about ten percent of them but I hope to go back to finish my list someday.

Anyways while I was in New York I accomplished a lot. The first day I went shopping throughout the city and walked around time square. 

The next day I went to see the Rockettes which was fun, it really got me in the Christmas spirit (which just happens to be my favorite holiday). After I saw the Rockettes I headed to an acting class. I worked with the faculty of The Acting School for Film and Television. I loved the class the whole time I was on screen so at the end of the class I got to observe and critic myself.

Then it was Thanksgiving! Sadly we headed out of the city too early to see any of the Macy's Day Parade, but I saw some of it on TV so it was ok. When I got to my cousins house they ran outside and hugged me, and as I entered the house their two dogs tackled me to the ground. Most of the day we just sat on the couch watching football and telling stories to each other, but it was great to finally see family.

After all delicious meal it was time to head home. The next day we got back on a flight to Utah. I do have to say it is good to be home, but I miss New York and can not wait to go back.

How NOT to Treat an Injury.......

Any Type Of Exercise Is Putting Pressure On Your Body

Image Courtesy Of: Cool Running

Everyone knows that when you get hurt you should rest and heal, but does every one really follow that? No, and especially not me during my last injury.

About a year ago I was in Las Vegas competing in Youth America Grand Prix, which is the biggest ballet competition world wide. I spent the first day there watching the other dancers in amazement. I had never seen anything even close to how amazing the other competitors were, so I knew the pressure was on.

The next day was when I was competing. I only had one number so put all of my focus into that. Back stage everyone was excited and nervous at the same time, but I knew I just had to get through that one number.

The lights hit the stage and it was showtime..... I began the piece with a huge smile on my face. I had practiced the piece a lot so had all the movement in my body,  but in the middle of the piece I slipped. My point shoe twisted to the side and I felt a huge pain in my ankle... I knew I had to get through the piece. I had been preparing for such a long time and could not let my teammates down. So I pushed through it.

After the piece I limped off stage and went straight to see if I had some kind of brace or wrap in my bag. I knew it was serious so just sat there for a while.

The next day all the competing was over. Though the program provided an amazing day of classes with extraordinary professional. Sadly all I could do was sit there and watch.

We got home and I continued with school and tried to rest my ankle as much as possible. I came into my dance studio on that Wednesday night and saw that we were having a masterclass the next day by an outstanding company from New York. Despite my injuries I decided to participate in the master class, which was a BIG mistake. Towards the end of the class we were running the piece they taught us and I tripped and ended up twisting my other ankle.

After that I spoke with my parents and dance teachers. We decided I really needed to rest and heal. I was out of dance for about a month and was struggling to regain strength in my ankles for another four to five months.

I realized it is so important to take care of your body. Also to listen to your body when it is in pain and not push your limits. Now I am more careful and know what to do when I get injured.