Winter has come… and gone here in Melbourne, and it’s our first day of Spring as I write this… what better time to quote Game of Thrones and share my goals and aspirations for ballet?!
Build my confidence – I have a natural tendency to want to hide at the back of the class as I don’t feel confident that I’ve memorised the enchaînement – it takes a lot of courage to overcome my fears to stand in the front of the class … but I force myself to try! Remember Sansa Stark in the earlier seasons? Originally she was going to be the Queen of the seven kingdoms, but those dreams took a dramatic turn when her family became the rebellious outcasts from the north … now she’s the confident lady of Winterfell.
Accept critique – practice, practice, practice! What better way to improve? Our teachers will guide us, and they will pay attention where they see potential… it may seem daunting when they correct our technique, but it means they notice us and want to help us be our best. Here’s a secret… their correction – is the biggest compliment you can receive from a ballet teacher! Look at Tyrion Lannister, the “grotesque” dwarf … rather than succumbing to the stereotype, he reads and uses his knowledge as a weapon against those who would bring him down… ok these analogies are quite a stretch …
Improve my strength and flexibility… I want to kick higher, bend lower, do the splits … and my ultimate goal? Learn to dance en pointe! Aria Stark is the prime example of an excellent student that faced many challenges (blindness, killers), who always aspired to be a fighter … and now she’s a lethal assassin.
The girl can dream…
BY ANNE B – ELANCÉ AMBASSADOR