Ballet Philippines's Open Rehersal "Zebra"

Last July 6, I was invited by the Artistic Director of the ballet company I work for to watch the open rehearsal of a new choreographed modern dance they will be performing next February. I was really interested and since this was a rare thing I decided to go. So after my ballet class which ended at 4 PM I waited 3 hours to watch this show. I took my 2 Aunts and my niece to the main theater. The dance studio is inside the theater so we didn't have to go far.

When we finally got the tickets we went inside. I was expecting to be seated in the actual seats but there was special seating right on the stage so we get a live and up close view of the dancers. I thought it was neat and a little more personal. It was a pretty nice event if I have to say but I felt a little underdressed. As more and more people came in they were wearing formal clothes while I was in my leotard and tights with only sweats and a t-shirt cover up. I know next time to wear more decent clothes.

The show started and my niece who is 2 almost 3 years old was making some noise and this is kind of late at night for her so I was getting annoyed because I didn't want to get embarrassed because she was the only kid there while the guests were mostly important people. She was pretty good but I still was trying to make her keep quiet. She enjoyed the dancing but when it came to the people who were speaking about the event she wouldn't listen. We were sitting in front of the 2nd cast who will perform on the next night of the actually performance, what was so cute was some of the company members were talking to her and werent annoyed at all. She then yelled that they were amazing when the show was over. So, one of the comapny members took her to meet the cast and she even got a picture with one of them. She even complimeted the principle dancer. She is 2 like I said and they all htough that was the cutest thing.

Enough about my little niece, my thoughts were it was a lovely event. The company introduced new projects and the upcoming performances by the company. The Executive Director also gave a nice speech about new things coming up and what to expect. She explained about the new studio that is in process to improve the quality and invite in more dancers. The Artistic Director introduced the choreographer and his work. This performance and event was technically dedicated to him because he is leaving to go back to France in a couple of days and probably wont see the show in February because he is a company member in France. I also forgot to mention he did a short piece himself and I would have to say it was well done. I love the style and how he really used his body and movements. He is such a great dancer and the piece he choreographed was amazing as well. It was very different and really captured what he was trying to portray in today's society.

I take this as a privileged to be apart and to attend the event. I met some important people and it is definitely a rare and unforgettable experience. 

Zebra is part of one of the dances Ballet Philippines will hold in February 2014 entitled "The Art of Dance" which will be apart of the 44th Season: IllumiNATION." Another performance they will be hosting is Giselle which will open August 16.

*Disclaimer: My thoughts of the event are my own and even though I am affiliated by working with the company this does not affect my thoughts or my opinion about the event. 
*Zebra Poster: Credit to BP's Website
*Picture: My own I took at the event.

xo
Jackie

Dance Diary | My First Class!

I did it! I actually did it! I took my first dance class again after 5 years!

I am over the moon right now and just so happy. I cannot believe I did it though.

So the night before I couldn't really sleep and I knew that was bad for me because for one I had to get up early to head to the dance company for my internship and two because the class was at 3 in the afternoon and that would be the time I start losing it and feel the most tired. But I did get a good night sleep in the end and woke up refreshed. When I did get up fully I started having a stomach ache and I have no idea why. I didnt eat or drink coffee and just left after I got everything together.

If you didnt know I work for a ballet company. I am an intern there and that inspired me to get back into dance and most importantly ballet. So when I got there I went up to my best friend who is also the registrar of the dance school. She was the first friend I made there. I enrolled myself and she was so happy for me because I finally did after all these months I've been complaining to her that I miss it. SHe was the one who really convinced me and I really thank her for it. After I got all signed up, I had to work with her in the dance shop. SInce it was the 2nd week of the new dance school year a lot of moms were buying their daughters leotards and tights. I handled that 'till about 12:30 until I went for lunch.

I was counting down the hours 'till class and I kept asking Jacque (we have the same name which is so funny and cool) questions about the class and was helping her enroll more students. I kept listening in to see if any of my classmates were going to be coming to the front desk but there was no luck. I kept busy until 2:30 and tried to keep my mind on maintaing the dance shop.

When it was time for me to get dressed I got to use the artistic director's dressing room because I was an empolyee there which was great because I didn't have to travel 2 flights of stairs to get to a changing room. Once I put everything on I remembered how hard it was to put tights on and to get it to fit perfectly and how you want it on your body. After I got that done I was all dressed and I felt amazing to be dressed as a ballerina again. Words cannot describe how good and confident I felt when I was dressed like that.

When it was time for class that is when my nervousness and fear came back. I didn't feel ready and felt so shy and scared unlike my previous happy state I was a few minutes ago. Jacque talked me through it pushed me but the public relation guy came down and requested me to plan an event for the upcoming production the company was having. I was glad that Jacque told him I had class and I would do it next Saturday or email him the details during the week. I was also glad he wasn't mad and encouraged me to do it.

I knew the teacher because I have been working there for a couple of months. The worst part was that she was the school principal of the whole dance school and was very strict. I was even more nervous when I found out she was going to be teaching the class permenently. I sucked it up though and hugged Jacque for good luck.

I put on my ballet shoes and took deep breaths. We warmed up for about 5 minutes because we are now advised to be warmed up and limber before her class which will be hard for me since I don't have much time before the class because I am working there also. Next time though I am definitely taking the hour off to get ready and warmed up.

We did most things at the barre which was good because I always liked the barre routines. When she taught the steps I was glad I got them right away. I really thought I was going to do terriable and I prepared myself for it but I shouldn't really think negatively like I do cause it turned out fine. I did have a hard time with my ankle a couple times but it didn't bother me much when I started to move it more.

The proudest thing though was I didn't get many corrections to straighten out my foot or anything. I really thought I would be the one always getting yelled at for doing something wrong but it was the girl in front of me. I also got complmented of my turnout and I have good arches. I was told when I was going to start pointe at 11 that I had "Flinstone Feet" and I could never go en pointe. I was probably too young and my arches weren't formed that well yet. If the teacher had told me I was too young then I would have understood. But when our teacher said that I had pretty good arches that made me so excited that maybe one day I could reach my dream and go en pointe.

The class was pretty simple and I actually enjoyed being back. I know they say don't worry and it will be fine in the end and I can say it is true. It was a good hour workout and I was surprised I wasn't out of breath so easily. I actually did it and wasnt a bag full of sweat. I was sweaty but I was worried I would just be pouring buckets but I didnt and I was so glad. It is a good workout for me and I'll continue.

After class I headed back to the office with the teacher and she asked if I was going to continue and I said yes. I am sticking with this no matter what. Once in the office the staff were asking if I took a class and I nodded and it felt good saying that I took a class and was back to dancing. 

So overall my class was good and I am glad to be back. I know why I quit a few years back because it is so displined and strict but since I have background I know I won't quit so easily anymore. I am going to stick through this and I will get to my dream of going en pointe and becoming a ballerina again.

I hope you enjoyed my story of my first ballet class. Also please tell me if you were nervous to like I was so I don't feel like such a loser for being so worried. I'll update about my class again next week. 

xo 

Jackie

My Dance History

Today I just wanted to share with you my whole dance history from beginning to I hope another beginning because I hope it won't end yet. I have done so many forms of dance and learned to love all of them.

I started dancing at the age of 3. I was an only child and so I wasn't a very social kid. My mother saw me dancing in front of the TV all the time and when a song I liked on the radio came on. I would always say to her and my dad, "Look, I can dance," And I would twirl around the living room. This is when my mom thought it would be a good idea to get me into dance class. She signed me up for a ballet class and that is when it all started.

I might have liked ballet but being social was still a problem for me. I was very shy and even if I did like dancing at 3 I was still not overcoming anything. I hesitated to dance but I never quit. I enjoyed it and I loved the movements. One day, the parents were invited inside the studio to watch our dance and see how we've improved. I still remember crying and not wanting to dance. Before that though I remember being so excited and picking out my best tutu for the class. I think that was my first time dancing in front of an audience so I guess I was just a little intimidated. My first recital though was a success. I remember even though I was in this huge place that was dark and yet so bright at the same time I remembered to twirl and dance. I might have been shy but I did and it made me feel so proud.

When I turned 4, my mom thought to add tap to the mix. I was already getting used to ballet and I didn't really quite know why she decided to put me in tap too. But now, I thank her. I love tap and it is my favorite to do. I discovered I was better in tap than I was in ballet. I loved that my shoes got to make noise and i wasn't really shy anymore. I was getting used to everything and slowly my stage fright went away. That recital was when I felt confident and so ready. I loved the costume and tap was so much fun.

After that, I moved studios because of a friend's recommendation. I took tap and ballet again and just stuck with that for a few years. I think I lasted 2 years before trying another class. I was getting older and so I made the decision to try jazz. I thought it was different and it looked more dancey than ballet was so I told my mom and she agreed. I tried that and continued on with it.

When I got to be 11 I got picked to be in the performing line of the dance studio. This was very prestigiuos and it was an honor for me to be in it. This was like a company dance role so when I found out I was thrilled and couldn't stop thinking about it. I was so excited when I got my contract and I read that thing from page to page. When I got my costume I was so happy and that was when it all sort of became real for me. I was doing great in dance and even though I was still intimadated at times during performance this was my life.

I got extra shows in recitals and other performances. Both my ballet and tap were improving and I was both a company member for both. The tap group had a name called "Tip Tap Toe" I thought it was so unique and I wanted to reach all the levels which were 3. I was starting out at the basic but it was my dream to go higher.

During that I decided to take hip hop because during our last recital I saw him perform and really wanted to try it so I did. I found out I wasn't really good at it and during class I would do tap and ballet movements more than I should. I was told to relax and it wasn't a proper dance but a fun and let go kind of dance. I took a year and a half of that I think.

After 2 years of that I was ready for the next level. I had mastered and practiced every move there was and was ready to do it all. When I found out I wasn't allowed on pointe for another year I decided to take a year off ballet and focused on tap. I still loved ballet and wanted to do more but I was so disappointed I couldnt get on pointe. I got to the advance level of my tap class which was good but I found out I wasn't getting promoted in the performing line either. ALl my dreams were not coming true and this made me sad. I worked so hard on this and even though I was now an advance tap dancer I wasn't getting a promotion to be in the next level of the tap company. I was sad and I decided that was going to be my last year there. I was there for 5 years and my mom said just stick it out till the end.

I had so many fun experiences with that company and so many opportunities. I got to perform places and go to competitions I never dreamed of doing and knowing that wasn't going to be happening anymore made it so much worse. I made so many friends and so many memories through that company.

My last recital and performance with that studio was very emotional for me. First off, I would be leaving behind so many good things and I got so used to everything and everyone. This was the first recital which I was old enough to share a dressing room with my fellow company dancers. I was always stuck in the green room with everyone else but that year I had my own light up mirror and chair and even a rack with my name to put my costumes on. I had 8 numbers that recital and it was hard since I had to change and run out there every 10 minutes. During the intermission, I was called by the owner of the studio and she apologized but couldn't do anything. She was the one who made all the decisions so I was really upset with her. She gave me a hug and after that I had to go on for my last dance. For our last curtain I felt really emotional. Usually I always did in the past but since it was the last I think I actually cried a little. When the show was over and I had to pack up my things I stayed in the dressing room after saying by to all my friends. I felt like it was my last time to do this and I just felt so bad. I took the summer off and since I just graduated from elementary I decided to just have a break for the summer months.

I had just entered junior high and I was so scared to. I didn't have a dance escape like i did before so it was new to me. After talking with a friend I begged and I mean begged my mom to let me be in that dance school. It was a 45 minute drive from our place which was pretty far but my parents finally agreed and I went. There I just took tap since that was what I was accelerating most in. I thought it was best for me since I didn't want the stress of so many classes like I did the previous year. It was a new dance academy and so I wanted to take it easy. I stayed for 2 years there and since we were in the process of moving to a new city anyways I just took a few classes.

At the new city I took a little time off. I admit it was probably bad but I think I only took 6 months off. I was enjoying school for the first time and I had friends and such a good school year. I was in 8th grade and I wanted to do what a normal 14 year old did which didn't involve dancing and training which took up all my time. I did go back and when I found a studio close by my house I felt relief. It was good getting back though. Since that time off I really missed the dancing and the hours of training. My muscles were a little sore but I got through it. I took tap again and this time I tried lyrical. I really enjoyed both of them and I really wanted to go to the recital but I didnt make the cut off time. I was some what realived yet bummed but my parents had other news for me.

So that pretty much sums up my dance history and what I've done. I will continue the rest and what I did when I was 15 up until now in another post since this one is way too long anyways. I have another post with why I quit dancing so that will clarify things up after this point.

I hope you enjoyed and learned a little about what I have done. Maybe you took the same classes as I did or have a similar story like me. If you do please leave it below and I'd love to know. So, thanks for reading.

*weheartit

xo
Jackie