Don't Give Up Dancing

For the past few weeks people have been telling me that I should go back to dancing. I’ve had interventions at work and in class about how I should pursue it again and not give up on it. They tell me if it’s my passion I should go back to it and that my eyes light up whenever I talk about ballet. They say not to be scared and I'm going to regret it when I get too old to go back to it. I know they are right but I’ve been too scared and it costs a lot of money. After so many people telling me and encouraging me I have started to consider it. The other day when I was presenting my blog to my online media and blog class everyone was practically yelling at me to do it and giving me so much support, and I guess that was the last straw for me.

I started to think seriously about it and even looked up some ballet schools. I also talked to my parents to see if they would help financially, since I am a broke college student and need someone to sponsor me for funding. While looking I started to get excited which was mixed with anxiety and skepticism of course. I emailed this one place and told them my story in a nutshell to see if they could give me some advice. Now I’m just waiting to hear back from them and ponder this decision a little more. It is going to be a big step for me and I’m kinda scared, but I guess well see what happens…

Ballet Gamonet

In this video Art 360 interviews premier choreographer Jimmy Gamonet of Ballet Gamonet as he takes the audience through the steps and moves of his latest creation. He describes the dance and the story behind it. Since dance isn’t told with words it has to be expressed through the body. The dancers look as light as a feather and they make it seem effortless.

He was a dancer before he became a teacher which gave him the knowledge and language of dance which helps him speak to his dancers. It is much easier for him to relate and teach his students with his prior knowledge. Carmen is the main character who meets with her lover but they fear getting caught by Don Jose.

SYTYCD Top 20

It was the top 20’s first performance together on Wednesday and it was pretty good but I wasn’t overall impressed. The dancers were chosen at random and they picked a style of dance out of a hat. The judges were, of course, Nigel, Mary, and Adam Shankman. There were all different styles of dances performed last night from bollywood to the foxtrot. My personal favorite dancer on the show would of course have to be the “naughty ballerina” Melissa, I have to support ballet. The best performance would have to be the bollywood one. It was different, quick, and hard but they nailed it with such ease. The most intriguing and memorable, in my opinion, would have to be the crash test dummies jazz routine. It was very unique and Nigel was right people will talk about that routine. Each performance was good, some better than others, but I’m giving it the benefit of the doubt that it was the first night and they are just getting into the swing of things. I can’t wait for things to really start to heat up and get interesting.

The first couples up were Jeanine Mason & Phillip Chbeeb dancing hip-hop. All three judges agreed that they did a good job. Next up was Asuka Kondoh & Vitolio Jeune whose style of dance was Broadway. The judges thought they could have done better saying that they played it safe but it was danced well. Then it was Karla Garcia & Jonathan Plateros turn. They danced the cha-cha very well according to the judges who thought they did amazing. Randi Evans & Evan Kasprzak did a jazz dance. The judges loved them and thought it was fantastic and smoldering. Paris Torres & Tony Bellissimo also did hip-hop which they didn’t execute very well. All of the judges agreed that it was just good and not memorable. Caitlyn Kinney & Jason Glover did a fantastic bollywood number. They rocked it and the judge’s review was that it was strong and beautiful. Then it was Janette Manrara & Brandon Bryant’s turn to show off their moves in the foxtrot. They judges liked it calling it lovely and effortless but there was room for improvement. Another jazz dance was performed by Ashley Valerio & Kupono Aweau. The judges said it was different but marvelous. Melissa Sandvig (my favorite) & Ade Obayomi did a contemporary dance. The judges commented on their performance saying it was moving and it flowed well. Last but certainly not least, Kayla Rodomski & Max Kapitannikov danced the samba. They were brilliant and terrific and Mary even put them on the hot tamale train.

What Is Ballet?

What is ballet?

Ballet is grace, precision, and discipline.

It's the soft pink ribbon wrapped around your ankle.

It's the way the tutu flows with your every move.

Ballet is the arch of your foot and the elegance of your arms.

What is ballet?

Ballet is art.

It's jumping so high that you can touch the stars.

It's the endless pirouettes, plies, and tour jetes.

Ballet is standing atop satin toes.

What is ballet?

Ballet is strength and power.

It's hair pulled tightly back into a bun.

It's the baby's breath in a bouquet of roses.

Ballet is expression and love.

What is ballet?

Ballet is the grace of an angel, the strength of a bull, and the discipline of a soldier.

What is ballet?