dancerdiaries

[dancerdiaries]

Ok, so I have a question. Just putting some feelers out there.

If I were to teach virtual private ballet/pointe/variations lessons, would anybody be interested?

This could be an actual class, or you could send in a video and I'll return some feedback. I'd try to keep it as affordable as possible, as it's important to me to keep dance education accessible.

[dancerdiaries]

Something I've noticed is that the best turners in my class don't really "spring" onto releve. They almost kinda glide up. Like, they still get up quickly, but there's no unnecessary force behind it.

I injured my knee last week and I can't releve well, but weirdly, I've had some really good turns on that leg since then, and it's probably because I'm forced to stay grounded.

[dancerdiaries]

Soutenu tip!

Step up to soussus and get your balance before you start the turn. It might be slow at first, but with practice, you'll be able to get on balance right away and do quicker, cleaner soutenus.

[dancerdiaries]

Eleven years ago, I performed the first shade variation from La Bayadere as my high school senior solo, and later as my BYU audition piece. It's a dance that became sentimental to me. This year, I got the chance to perform it again! It's awesome to see how much I've improved since then.

[dancerdiaries]

Ballet tip from class today

Use your arms to help you jump. As you jump, lift the elbow like you're bouncing a ball off of it. Timing is key here--do it at the same moment you push off the ground. It should look barely noticeable, but you'll feel a difference.

(Obviously, this doesn't work when your arms are en bas. Boo.)

[dancerdiaries]

Look. I know my dance degree wasn't the best financial decision. There are times I wish I studied something that would get me a job besides the retail/service industry (because I may as well not have a degree at all) and occasionally teaching.

But I don't regret it.

I'm still very active in the dance industry and hopefully always will be. I use what I learned in college every single day. I wouldn't be nearly as good a dancer as I am now if I hadn't majored in it because professional-level training wouldn't have been accessible to me otherwise. I'm proud of my progress, and I enjoy classes more knowing how far I've come. I might not have my job as a dance teacher without my degree giving me a competitive edge. And I actually dusted off my choreography portfolio for a job application--which I got an interview for! (Let's not look at my pre-college choreography. Thank goodness I took classes.)

The only thing I regret is that society doesn't value what I do enough to pay me what I'm worth--or even pay me at all. It's not that my degree is useless. It's that the arts aren't taken seriously (don't get me started on AI "art"), and that's not a "me" problem.

So no, even though I'm constantly worrying about money, I do not regret my dance degree.

[dancerdiaries]

Cupid variation progress: Week 2

This is from last week, actually 🙃

(Sorry for the weird angle and for wandering out of frame)

Notes:

Straighten that standing leg on those opening attitudes, omg 😆

We'll get those turns eventually. A larger space would be helpful.

Decide on what arms I'm doing for each step so it's consistent

I'm proud of my balance at the end

[dancerdiaries]

I punched myself in the arm doing hip hop today and it really hurts 😅

[dancerdiaries]

this brings me so much joy, thanks for sharing 🤣

we got surprised with a surprise repertoire class today for the end of this halfterm and we did the chicken dance from la fille mal gardee ^-^ lmao my teacher said "we worked on technique for all of class to become chickens yes"

[dancerdiaries]

I started rehearsing Cupid today. No studio, no mirrors, no coach, just me and a Youtube video. I forgot to record it, but I do plan on posting progress videos (mainly for my sake. As I said, no mirrors).

It's a fun variation! It makes me feel cute 😊 I will definitely be slowing my music down, though.

[dancerdiaries]

I've decided. I'm doing Cupid :)

What are some good variations for jumpers/quick movers? I'm looking for competition piece options.

[dancerdiaries]

Ooh, Cupid and Diana both look fun. Thanks for the suggestions!

What are some good variations for jumpers/quick movers? I'm looking for competition piece options.

[dancerdiaries]

What are some good variations for jumpers/quick movers? I'm looking for competition piece options.

[dancerdiaries]

Dunno why it's so hard to lift your foot into passe in en dedans pirouettes. Either it creeps into passe too slowly, or it's turned in, or my foot's sickled. You know what? I vote we eradicate en dedans pirouettes all together.

[dancerdiaries]

Turn out that doing arabesques down a narrow ramp, in dim light, in thick fog, is a bit scary.

[dancerdiaries]

My favorite thing about Isadora Duncan is that the children she taught were called the Isadorables. 10/10 no notes.

[dancerdiaries]

Despite my best efforts, half my students are not ready for their recital at all, and I'm panicking because it's going to make me look bad. I have one more week of classes to get them able to do their dance without me. It's not happening. *screams*