I just got home from the 1 week workshop at Bossov in Maine, It was AMAZING! I learned so much in the 1 week.
I am a parent or a student: student
Dancer Age/Sex: 14/female
CLASS INFORMATION
Number of students in class: 10
Was the student challenged? yes, very much
Did the students have the same teacher(s) every day? no, the 4 teachers alternated, except for rehearsal (you had the same teacher every day)
How many classes were held each day/week? 3 per day + rehearsal
Was partnering available and if so, for what levels? yes, 3 & 4 plus some basic partnering for levels 1 & 2
Was Pilates or other conditioning offered? yes
Were the studios/facilities adequate? yes, they were very nice, note 1 of the studios was not a year round studio, it was a classroom with a box floor
DORM LIFE
RA/student ratio: 1/floor
Were you happy with the security/supervision? yes, Mr. Wiley was a Marine and is very picky about security, we even had a fire drill for a one week program
Was it easy to communicate with home (phone, email, messages left with the program, etc.)? yes, very simple by phone and a little more difficult by email since computers weren't available in the dorm, they had a computer lab avalible in the evenings
Were you happy with the accommodations? yes, the dorms were recently renovated
Were you happy with the food? YES! There were so many choices and the kitchen staff was VERY nice.
What was the best weekend activity? N/A I was only there for a week
Was there enough/too much down time? no, there was a nice amount of down time
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
What were your impressions? good, very nice performance space and program (Just a DEMO but if you stayed there was a full performance of Giselle)
Was casting equitable? Yes, each level did a dance
Was class time used for rehearsals? No, your last class each day was rehearsals
If so, at what point in the SI did rehearsals begin? 1st day
Did you feel that the number of injuries was average for an SI? Lower than normal
Do you have any personal experience about how injuries, treatment and recuperation were handled? no
GENERAL COMMENTS
How many weeks is the program? 1 week with the 5 week option
Is this program more suitable for any specific age group? 12+ for boarding, the 11 and 10 year olds were running around
What did you like best? Learning from former world class ballet dancers, many performed with the Kirov Ballet. I enjoyed meeting new people and the amount of freedoom we got.
What did you like least? One of the studios got VERY hot and stuffy.
Do you have any tips for preparing for this SI (i.e. packing, travel, etc.)? I would bring a fan, it can get HOT, a key chain for your dorm key, a raincoat and umbrella, pilates mat and a mirror.
Would the student return again? Please explain. YES, the training was intense but the teachers were very caring.
In a word or phrase, please describe the atmosphere of this SI. Please include anything that is exceptional or unique about this program, that will help others gain a sense of the culture at this SI. Cozy-Every one is caring and no one is ever left out.
I'll write more later
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Going to Bossov
Well I'm headed up to Bossov tomorrow. We're staying at a hotel for the night and then going up to MCI (Where Bossov is located) around noon on Sunday. I'm SOOOOO excited. I'm going to try to blog as much as I can while i'm up there so you can get a first hand look at their program. Thats all for now.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Alice in Wonderland Part 2
Some of my favorite Alice in Wonderland quotes:
The White Rabbit put on his spectacles. "Where shall I begin, please your Majesty?" he asked."Begin at the beginning," the King said gravely, "and go on till you come to the end: then stop."
"See all the trouble you started?" exclaimed the March Hare."But I didn't think...." said Alice."That's just it. If you don't think, then you shouldn't talk.
"But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked."Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat: "we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.""How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice."You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here."
Doorknob-Read the directions and directly you will be directed in the right direction.
Mad Hatter-No wonder you're late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow.
Alice: And how many hours a day did you do lessons?
The Mock Turtle: Ten hours the first day, nine the next, and so on.
Alice: What a curious plan!
The Gryphon: That's the reason they're called lessons, because they lessen from day to day.
Alice laughed. "There's no use trying," she said: "one can't believe impossible things." "I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Alice in Wonderland
In honor of my studio performing "Alice in Wonderland-The Ballet" I'm going to give you some interesting facts about the story.
For those who don't know the story please see: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_wonderland)
Did You Know??
In 1931, the book was banned in Hunan, China because "animals should not use human language" and it "put animals and human beings on the same level."
The card on the Madd Hatters hat is a price tag in 'old' English money: pounds, shillings and pennies, which was then written as l/s/d. Lewis Carroll has explained the meaning of the tag in his 'Nursery Alice':The Hatter used to carry about hats to sell: and even the one that he's got on his head is meant to be sold. You see it's got its price marked on it - a "10" and a "6" - that means "ten shillings and sixpence."
From the book (Mad Hatters Riddle)-A raven is like a writting desk because-In a new preface that Carroll wrote for the 1896 edition of Alice, he gave what he considered to be the best answer to the Mad Hatter's riddle. This is what he wrote:
"Enquiries have been so often addressed to me, as to whether any answer to the Hatter’s Riddle can be imagined, that I may as well put on record here what seems to me to be a fairly appropriate answer, viz: "Because it can produce a few notes, tho they are very flat; and it is nevar put with the wrong end in front!" This, however, is merely an afterthought; the Riddle as originally invented, had no answer at all."
Note the spelling of "never" as "nevar" (discovered by Denis Crutch). Carroll intended to spell "raven" backwards. The word was corrected to "never" in all later printings, perhaps by an editor who thought he had found a printer's error. Because Carroll died soon after this "correction" had destroyed the ingenuity of his answer, the original spelling was never restored. Whether Carroll was aware of the damage done to his clever answer is not known.
"Enquiries have been so often addressed to me, as to whether any answer to the Hatter’s Riddle can be imagined, that I may as well put on record here what seems to me to be a fairly appropriate answer, viz: "Because it can produce a few notes, tho they are very flat; and it is nevar put with the wrong end in front!" This, however, is merely an afterthought; the Riddle as originally invented, had no answer at all."
Note the spelling of "never" as "nevar" (discovered by Denis Crutch). Carroll intended to spell "raven" backwards. The word was corrected to "never" in all later printings, perhaps by an editor who thought he had found a printer's error. Because Carroll died soon after this "correction" had destroyed the ingenuity of his answer, the original spelling was never restored. Whether Carroll was aware of the damage done to his clever answer is not known.
Others have made up anwsers such as-"because Poe wrote on both", and my personal favorite "because there's a B in both and an N in neither".
Some Characters
Alice- is the main character of the story "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and the sequel "Through the Looking Glass and what Alice found there". She is a seven-year-old English girl with lots of imagination and is fond of showing off her knowledge. Alice is polite, well raised and interested in others, although she sometimes makes the wrong remarks and upsets the creatures in Wonderland. She is easily put off by abruptness and rudeness of others.
Cheshire Cat- is the cat of the Duchess. Alice meets it when she leaves the Duchess house, and finds it in a tree. It constantly grins and can disappear and reappear whenever it likes. Sometimes it disappears and leaves its grin behind.
The Cheshire Cat is the only character in Wonderland who actually listens to Alice. With his remarks, he teaches Alice the ‘rules’ of Wonderland. He gives her insight in how things work down there.
It is not 100% clear why Carroll named this character 'Cheshire Cat'. "To grin like a Cheshire Cat" was a common phrase in Carroll's day. Its origin is unknown, but it may have originated from a sign painter in Cheshire, who painted grinning lions on the sign-boards of inns in the area. Another source may be the following: when you take a good look at the 'Alice Window' in Christ Church, Oxford, you can see 3 grinning animals at the top of the Liddell's family arms. Perhaps this is what inspired Dodgson. Also, at one time, Cheshire cheeses were molded in the shape of a grinning cat. Finally, the Cheshire Cat might be inspired by a carving in Croft Church.
The Cheshire Cat is the only character in Wonderland who actually listens to Alice. With his remarks, he teaches Alice the ‘rules’ of Wonderland. He gives her insight in how things work down there.
It is not 100% clear why Carroll named this character 'Cheshire Cat'. "To grin like a Cheshire Cat" was a common phrase in Carroll's day. Its origin is unknown, but it may have originated from a sign painter in Cheshire, who painted grinning lions on the sign-boards of inns in the area. Another source may be the following: when you take a good look at the 'Alice Window' in Christ Church, Oxford, you can see 3 grinning animals at the top of the Liddell's family arms. Perhaps this is what inspired Dodgson. Also, at one time, Cheshire cheeses were molded in the shape of a grinning cat. Finally, the Cheshire Cat might be inspired by a carving in Croft Church.
Mad Hatter- is one of the members of the Mad Tea Party. Later he also appears as a witness during the trial. He occasionally is very rude and provokes Alice during the tea party. When he is called upon by the Queen, he is very nervous and frightened.
In 'Through the Looking Glass', the Hatter returns in the form of the Anglo-Saxon messenger 'Hatta'
The phrase 'mad as a hatter' was common in Carroll's time. 'Mad as a hatter' probably owes its origin to the fact that hatters actually did go mad, because the mercury they used sometimes gave them mercury poisoning.
In 'Through the Looking Glass', the Hatter returns in the form of the Anglo-Saxon messenger 'Hatta'
The phrase 'mad as a hatter' was common in Carroll's time. 'Mad as a hatter' probably owes its origin to the fact that hatters actually did go mad, because the mercury they used sometimes gave them mercury poisoning.
Queen of Hearts- is one of the playing card characters Alice meets when she is finally able to enter the beautiful garden through the door in the hallway.
The Queen of Hearts rules over Wonderland and is a tyrant - violent, authoritative and dominant. She likes to play croquet with live flamingoes and hedgehogs as mallets and balls (but only when she wins, and by her own rules) and constantly orders the beheading of people when something isn't to her liking (although these orders apparently never are actually carried out). She also has her own ideas about how trials should be conducted, and is feared by all other Wonderland inhabitants because of her lack of patience and explosive character. Carroll wrote the following about the Queen of Hearts: "I pictured to myself the Queen of Hearts as a sort of embodiment of ungovernable passion – a blind and aimless Fury."
The Queen of Hearts rules over Wonderland and is a tyrant - violent, authoritative and dominant. She likes to play croquet with live flamingoes and hedgehogs as mallets and balls (but only when she wins, and by her own rules) and constantly orders the beheading of people when something isn't to her liking (although these orders apparently never are actually carried out). She also has her own ideas about how trials should be conducted, and is feared by all other Wonderland inhabitants because of her lack of patience and explosive character. Carroll wrote the following about the Queen of Hearts: "I pictured to myself the Queen of Hearts as a sort of embodiment of ungovernable passion – a blind and aimless Fury."
Stay tuned for part 2!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
SI Packing List
This is a geniric packing list for ballet SIs. Be sure to look over the information you got for your SI.
Hair Products
hair ties hair pins
hair nets
shampoo
conditioner
hairspray/gel
comb/brush
blow-dryer
Medicine Cabinet
Kleenex
sunscreen
bugspray
toothpaste/toothbrush
facial soap/acne cleanser
lotion
makeup/stage makeup
q-tipsdeodorant
toenail care supplys
hand soap
floss
heat pack/ice pack
shower bucket (for carring supplys to the bathroom)
Closet hangers
laundry bag
laundry detergent
fabric softener
sewing kit
safety pins
drying rack
quarters for laundry
Clothing
underclothes
shorts
Capri’s
pants
tanks/t-shirts/long-sleeve t's
sweatshirt
raincoat/umbrella
sandals/tennis shoes/dressy/shoes
dressy outfit
bathrobe/slippers/shower flip-flops
pyjamas
swimsuit
hat/purse/sunglasses
Ballet Gear
toe tape
blister pads
ballet flat shoes
pointe shoes*
character shoes
leotards**
skirts
tights
warm-ups
character skirt
dance bag***
ribbons/elastics/theraband
*I would bring at least 3-4 pairs of pointe shoes and rotate them. (1st two pairs the 1st two weeks and 2nd two pairs the last two weeks)
**I would recommend at least one simple, black camisole leotard.
***I would recommend a bigger dance bag than you would normally have.
Bedroom Features
stationary
address book
alarm clock
beach towel
bottle
zip lock bags
pictures
pillow case/pillow
sheets/comforter
comfort item
dance journal*
camera
cards/books/magazines/ipod/batteries/cell phone/charger/writing utensils/money/lock/purses
*I would suggest keeping a ballet journal. Take notes from each class. When you come home, you will have these notes to refer to. You may only have these teachers for one summer, so you're going to want to remember what they say! It will also help you to remember corrections to work on!
Hair Products
hair ties hair pins
hair nets
shampoo
conditioner
hairspray/gel
comb/brush
blow-dryer
Medicine Cabinet
Kleenex
sunscreen
bugspray
toothpaste/toothbrush
facial soap/acne cleanser
lotion
makeup/stage makeup
q-tipsdeodorant
toenail care supplys
hand soap
floss
heat pack/ice pack
shower bucket (for carring supplys to the bathroom)
Closet hangers
laundry bag
laundry detergent
fabric softener
sewing kit
safety pins
drying rack
quarters for laundry
Clothing
underclothes
shorts
Capri’s
pants
tanks/t-shirts/long-sleeve t's
sweatshirt
raincoat/umbrella
sandals/tennis shoes/dressy/shoes
dressy outfit
bathrobe/slippers/shower flip-flops
pyjamas
swimsuit
hat/purse/sunglasses
Ballet Gear
toe tape
blister pads
ballet flat shoes
pointe shoes*
character shoes
leotards**
skirts
tights
warm-ups
character skirt
dance bag***
ribbons/elastics/theraband
*I would bring at least 3-4 pairs of pointe shoes and rotate them. (1st two pairs the 1st two weeks and 2nd two pairs the last two weeks)
**I would recommend at least one simple, black camisole leotard.
***I would recommend a bigger dance bag than you would normally have.
Bedroom Features
stationary
address book
alarm clock
beach towel
bottle
zip lock bags
pictures
pillow case/pillow
sheets/comforter
comfort item
dance journal*
camera
cards/books/magazines/ipod/batteries/cell phone/charger/writing utensils/money/lock/purses
*I would suggest keeping a ballet journal. Take notes from each class. When you come home, you will have these notes to refer to. You may only have these teachers for one summer, so you're going to want to remember what they say! It will also help you to remember corrections to work on!
Bossov Ballet
I'm going to Bossov Ballet in Maine for 1 week this summer. These are 2 videos I got from youtube about Bossov. Are any of you going? Please comment!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Don't Judge Him By His Tights
Male dancers are AMAZING! They are not sissies, they are strong and agile. Dancer Sascha Radetsky wrote an article for Newsweek called Don’t Judge Me By My Tights. I think every one needs to read it and learn to respect male dancers. (http://www.newsweek.com/id/120061)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Homesickness and Dancewear
HOMESICKNESS
Most people get home sick at some time. For many young dancers going to a summer intensive can be the first time away from home. Keep these tips in mind;
1. ITS OK- Many of the other kids will be home sick to. It's OK to feel sad after your parents leave.
2. INTRODUCE YOUR SELF- Don't be nervous about meeting new people. You're not the only person feeling nervous.
3. BE A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY- You don't get to talk a lot in dance. That's why many SIs have planned activities, to help students get to know each other. So go to an Ice Cream Social or on a Whale Watch, staying busy will keep you from missing home.
4. BRING HOME WITH YOU- Pack pictures of your friends and family or a favorite stuffed animal or blanket. Bring your own sheets, comforter and pillows.
5. KEEP IN TOUCH- write letters, send e-mails. Be positive and tell your friends and family about what you learning; you mastered your triple, got a solo in the demonstration, your teacher asked you to demonstrate your tour jetes in class, you and your roommate are INSEPARABLE.
REMEMBER-If you weren't at the intensive would you be learning everything you are here?
Adapted from "Home away from Home" by Kathryn Holmes in Dance Spirit May/June 2009
DANCEWEAR
I buy buy dancewear from Discount Dance Supply(http://www.discountdance.com/index.php). Their prices are great and the have great products. You can read the reviews before buy. They ship in a reasonable amount of time, things are not normally back ordered.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Jeanette Kakareka-Vote Today!
Jeanette Kakareka is in the running for this years Discount Dance Model Search. She's already in the TOP THREE!
You can find her full biography and pictures at (http://www.discountdance.com/modelsearch/bio.php?modelname=jKakareka)
You can see her dance at (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC_kr8gC_KI)
Some things in her biography that I thought stood out are;
Have you always wanted to be a dancer?
I loved dancing when I was little, but to be honest, I had my heart set on being a veterinarian, and I actually didn't even find ballet to be my favorite form of dance. It probably didn't help that my school's 'ballet' classes weren't classical in any sense. However, when I first went to take a class at Rock West, the Rock School's suburban school that also includes many other forms of dance as well as ballet, I looked in a window of some girls taking ballet class and it just hit me like a wall. I wanted to be a ballerina at the age of 11.
What is a typical day like for you?
I wake up at 5:00 in the morning, I get ready, eat some breakfast, pack my lunch, and my dad drives me to the SEPTA bus stop, which is about 20 minutes away. I take the bus to Broad & Carpenter, (approx. 1 hour ride,) where I walk a block down to Rock and at 8:00 I have RAPA, (Rock Academic Program Alliance,) which is the Rock School's partially online high school located on the 2nd floor of the building. I have school until 10:00 and then I have a half hour break to get ready and stretch out for my 10:30-12:00 technique class. The teachers change throughout the week, but generally, we have the same teacher for a certain class weekly. Afterwards, we have pointe class or, (once a week,) pilates for an hour and then I get a half hour lunch break. My afternoon tends to be different every day, but I normally have rehearsals at some point or a second RAPA session from 1:30 to 3:00. I then have an afternoon class at 3:30 that goes until 5:30. Afterwards, I might have another rehearsal or partnering class for an extra hour and a half, but not every day. I then go home on the bus again, and when I get home, I eat dinner and usually go to bed soon after. It's really crazy; you have to love it.
On any given day what can we typically find in your dance bag?
You can find a lot in my dance bag. Here's my typical list: cell phone, camera, iPod, make-up bag, Aleve liquid gels, (perfect to apply to sore spots,) a giant ball of thread, needles, travel-size scissors, corn cushions, 'squishy' tape, this really cool Japanese tape my friend Rina got me, stomach-pain relief chewable tablets, several ballet skirts, warm-up pants, Rock School shorts, a stretch band, my favorite mukluks, flat shoes, several pointe shoes, toe pads, extra ribbons and elastic, my wallet, my bus pass, a book, several lip glosses, and a lint roller and hand sanitizer, (because I'm a bit of a germaphobe meets OCD.)
What do you like most about dancing?
I love it the most when you get a certain combination from a teacher or something like that and you get that really fuzzy feeling of loving to dance because you find it so refreshing and makes you feel beautiful. Going on stage and getting the same feeling is even ten times better.
What do you think is unique about you and or your dancing?
I've been told I have stage presence, and have nice lines. I think that recently I've been learning how to be less nervous and therefore allow myself to show the audience more that I love to dance, which I hope comes across. I try not to down myself by worrying about perfect technique or tricks as much. I care much more about the emotion, the movement of everything, and musicality. I'm working on these things.
What has been your favorite dance moment?
I have two. Once when I was onstage doing snow corps and it was the end, with that beautiful music and the chorus singing, and I was just thinking, 'I love this.' Nutcracker Snow can do that to you sometimes. You get that fuzzy feeling I was talking about earlier, and you really smile. My other favorite moment was actually extremely recently. I was at YAGP and I went onstage to do my classical. I was really enjoying myself, when all of a sudden, my left heel nearly completely slipped off. Because we weren't allowed to use rosin, backstage I was trying to come up with creative ways to keep my heel on, but apparently it didn't work. I just thought, 'This is it. I'm over! I'm not even half-way through!' But I just kept going, and I told myself, 'Just smile and look like nothing is wrong. Forget about it.' When I made it all the way and I did my saut de chat I was just like 'Yes! Thank-you God!' and I went up into my arabesque and I was all smiles. I was just so glad that I made it through! I didn't know how well I actually danced; all I knew was that I was so lucky!
What challenges do you face as a dancer?
I have a body that doesn't naturally build muscle up but is very flexible; I got that from my mom. I've been working really hard on building up muscle and strength for my jumps, and I think it's improving. Recently, it hasn't been an issue because I think I'm almost done growing at 5'6 ¾', but before I had growth spurt problems. I would gain my balance only to lose it all over again; it was extremely frustrating.
What are you most proud of about yourself as a dancer?
I'm proud of myself because I've learned to calm down this year. When I was younger and had nothing on the line, I was never nervous, but now that I'm getting older, every performance counts. I'm learning how to keep my nerve and just enjoy. I'm also glad because I feel like I'm learning not to just be a 'slow' kind of dancer. I don't want to be, but that's what's natural to me. So, I'm trying to push myself more this year.
What highlights of your dance life touched you most?
One of my highlights that have touched me has been getting to do the Dying Swan variation. I was coached to do this for the Orchid Society's reception at Longwood Gardens this fall. It wasn't about being technically correct, but instead it was about what I felt like; that I truly got into it, and I'm so grateful that I got to do something so beautiful and emotional. I also really enjoyed being given the part of Snow Princess and Lead Princess of Persia, (Arabian Lead,) in the Rock School's Nutcracker this year. It was amazing to work further on partnering this year!
Who has most influenced you or had the greatest impact on you in regards to dance?
Well, I would definitely have to thank my family, teachers, and my friends for their impacts in my life as far as dance! My mom and dad have carted me around for so long, taking me to classes and rehearsals. I've annoyed them and inconvenienced them many times because of this, so there's a really large 'thank-you' right there. Then they've always been there for moral support too, of course. They sometimes need to tell me not to over-analyze things, because that's what I do, I over-analyze. Although often forgotten, I need to thank my two younger brothers a lot because they've put up with having their lives, countless times, being put on hold so that I can do what I need to do. Further, I want to thank my grandparents for coming to everything and being so very supportive. I also have to sincerely thank my teachers at Rock for coaching me and teaching me so much. I'm so grateful I also have a favorite dancer that has influenced me a lot, Alessandra Ferri! Whenever anyone asks me for my favorite dancer I pretty much shout it. I love her way of having pristine technique, but at the same time, having such dramatic quality. She has such deliberateness, too, in everything she does. Making just a rond de jambe beautiful. I also admire her because, (arguably,) she was the best Juliet ever known, and Juliet is my all-time dream part. I also have to thank my friends for helping me de-stress and giving me such amazing memories that I'll always remember. It's amazing how tight of bonds you create with your ballet peers; the fellow camaraderie gets us really closely knit. It's not like a normal job or school; it's a lifestyle and it creates something like a second family among your ballet friends. In addition, I also want to thank everyone who will vote for me for this! It means so much to me! Thank-you! And of course, thank-you Discount Dance Supply, for giving me this wonderful and unique opportunity.
If you could choose one dancer to perform with, who would it be, and what production would it be?
It's hard to choose, but I would love to work with anyone of Angel Corella, Ethan Stiefel, or Daniel Ulbricht. They're all such amazing dancers and I would be so honored! (Of course, this is in my dreams!) If I got to choose a production I wanted to be in and what part, I would want to be Juliet in Romeo and Juliet! I love Juliet so much because she would be such an amazing character to develop throughout the ballet. First, she's youthful, innocent, and being forced into a marriage she doesn't necessarily want, and then she falls in love with Romeo, and then she's distraught and very emotional. The first time I saw the balcony pas with Alessandra Ferri and Wayne Eagling, I was in love. I was like, this is it!
Can you describe the feeling you have when you are in the wings, waiting for your cue, and you hear the music and you enter the stage?
I try to stay calm back stage. I get rolls of calm, excited energy, and then quick bursts of, 'What if this happens? I'm going to mess this all up! I'm going to fall!' Then, when it's my cue, I get a moment of absolute nervous-wreck, and then a complete wash of joy to be on stage. It's such extremes, it really is hard to describe.
If you were to give one piece of advice to aspiring dancers, what would that be?
Listen to your teachers, be sure you want this, and if you want it, you have to prove it! You have to work hard, but on the other hand, know when you're injured or are overly stressed. You need to love this so, so much or else you'll hate every second of it. And please also remember; this is an art, not the Olympics! It's not about how high you can jump, or how large your developpe is, or how arched your feet are, or many turns you do. (I would also say to believe in yourself, but everyone says that!)
WHAT/WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE
Actor/Actress: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Will Smith, Julie Roberts, and Anne Hathaway.
Singer: I really like Tom DeLonge, Axl Rose, and Adam Levine. It's hard to say, however.
Color: Sometimes yellow, sometimes light pink, sometimes purple, sometimes aqua. It largely depends on the day.
Place To Visit: The same beach house my family and I rent every year in Avalon, New Jersey. I haven't been going recently, however, because of summer intensives conflicting. There's a lot of great family memories there, and I miss it. I also love New York City, but who doesn't?
Memory: I have a lot of really great memories of my family and friends, and then of course, my dancing. I can't pick just one.
Animal: My kitty, Angel!
Magazine: Pointe, Teen Vogue, and Seventeen.
Song: 'I Don't Want To Miss a Thing' by Aerosmith.
Holiday: Christmas and Easter.
Dancer: Alessandra Ferri!!!!!!
Movie: Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, National Treasure (1 and 2), You've Got Mail, The Dark Knight, and Hitch. Ballet movie? The Royal Ballet's Romeo and Juliet featuring Alessandra Ferri and Wayne Eagling, of course!
Outfit: Something feminine but not 'girly', however, that's hard to do everyday since I'm getting up so early every morning and dancing all day so sweats are more practical sometimes.
Hairstyle: I've always wanted curly hair, so I sometimes give myself waves, but I naturally have a really straight brown hair. I tend to pull it half-up half-down.
Jewelry: If you know me, you know I love rings and earrings!
Fragrance: I just got Betsey Johnson perfume for Christmas and I love it!
Shoes: On my 'someday wish list' I really want some Ed Hardy sneakers.
Dancewear: I love my new Natalie leotard that I wore in the photo shoot that's metallic silver! I also have a red leotard that I love.
Dance Catalog: Discount Dance Supply, of course!
Dance Competition: Youth American Grand Prix!
Last summer Jeanette attended Pacific Northwest Ballet School's summer intensive on a full scholarship. This year she will be attending San Francisco Ballet School's summer intensive on a full scholarship. She dances at the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, PA.
The winner of the contest receives an individual photoshoot, the chance to be on the cover or in an ad for DDS, and a $500 gift certificate. Jeanette will use the money for much needed pointe shoes! (she goes through a pair every 2-3 days).
***You can vote 5x a day per computer*** (http://www.discountdance.com/modelsearch/bio.php?modelname=jKakareka)
Thanks for reading and please VOTE TODAY!
You can find her full biography and pictures at (http://www.discountdance.com/modelsearch/bio.php?modelname=jKakareka)
You can see her dance at (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC_kr8gC_KI)
Some things in her biography that I thought stood out are;
Have you always wanted to be a dancer?
I loved dancing when I was little, but to be honest, I had my heart set on being a veterinarian, and I actually didn't even find ballet to be my favorite form of dance. It probably didn't help that my school's 'ballet' classes weren't classical in any sense. However, when I first went to take a class at Rock West, the Rock School's suburban school that also includes many other forms of dance as well as ballet, I looked in a window of some girls taking ballet class and it just hit me like a wall. I wanted to be a ballerina at the age of 11.
What is a typical day like for you?
I wake up at 5:00 in the morning, I get ready, eat some breakfast, pack my lunch, and my dad drives me to the SEPTA bus stop, which is about 20 minutes away. I take the bus to Broad & Carpenter, (approx. 1 hour ride,) where I walk a block down to Rock and at 8:00 I have RAPA, (Rock Academic Program Alliance,) which is the Rock School's partially online high school located on the 2nd floor of the building. I have school until 10:00 and then I have a half hour break to get ready and stretch out for my 10:30-12:00 technique class. The teachers change throughout the week, but generally, we have the same teacher for a certain class weekly. Afterwards, we have pointe class or, (once a week,) pilates for an hour and then I get a half hour lunch break. My afternoon tends to be different every day, but I normally have rehearsals at some point or a second RAPA session from 1:30 to 3:00. I then have an afternoon class at 3:30 that goes until 5:30. Afterwards, I might have another rehearsal or partnering class for an extra hour and a half, but not every day. I then go home on the bus again, and when I get home, I eat dinner and usually go to bed soon after. It's really crazy; you have to love it.
On any given day what can we typically find in your dance bag?
You can find a lot in my dance bag. Here's my typical list: cell phone, camera, iPod, make-up bag, Aleve liquid gels, (perfect to apply to sore spots,) a giant ball of thread, needles, travel-size scissors, corn cushions, 'squishy' tape, this really cool Japanese tape my friend Rina got me, stomach-pain relief chewable tablets, several ballet skirts, warm-up pants, Rock School shorts, a stretch band, my favorite mukluks, flat shoes, several pointe shoes, toe pads, extra ribbons and elastic, my wallet, my bus pass, a book, several lip glosses, and a lint roller and hand sanitizer, (because I'm a bit of a germaphobe meets OCD.)
What do you like most about dancing?
I love it the most when you get a certain combination from a teacher or something like that and you get that really fuzzy feeling of loving to dance because you find it so refreshing and makes you feel beautiful. Going on stage and getting the same feeling is even ten times better.
What do you think is unique about you and or your dancing?
I've been told I have stage presence, and have nice lines. I think that recently I've been learning how to be less nervous and therefore allow myself to show the audience more that I love to dance, which I hope comes across. I try not to down myself by worrying about perfect technique or tricks as much. I care much more about the emotion, the movement of everything, and musicality. I'm working on these things.
What has been your favorite dance moment?
I have two. Once when I was onstage doing snow corps and it was the end, with that beautiful music and the chorus singing, and I was just thinking, 'I love this.' Nutcracker Snow can do that to you sometimes. You get that fuzzy feeling I was talking about earlier, and you really smile. My other favorite moment was actually extremely recently. I was at YAGP and I went onstage to do my classical. I was really enjoying myself, when all of a sudden, my left heel nearly completely slipped off. Because we weren't allowed to use rosin, backstage I was trying to come up with creative ways to keep my heel on, but apparently it didn't work. I just thought, 'This is it. I'm over! I'm not even half-way through!' But I just kept going, and I told myself, 'Just smile and look like nothing is wrong. Forget about it.' When I made it all the way and I did my saut de chat I was just like 'Yes! Thank-you God!' and I went up into my arabesque and I was all smiles. I was just so glad that I made it through! I didn't know how well I actually danced; all I knew was that I was so lucky!
What challenges do you face as a dancer?
I have a body that doesn't naturally build muscle up but is very flexible; I got that from my mom. I've been working really hard on building up muscle and strength for my jumps, and I think it's improving. Recently, it hasn't been an issue because I think I'm almost done growing at 5'6 ¾', but before I had growth spurt problems. I would gain my balance only to lose it all over again; it was extremely frustrating.
What are you most proud of about yourself as a dancer?
I'm proud of myself because I've learned to calm down this year. When I was younger and had nothing on the line, I was never nervous, but now that I'm getting older, every performance counts. I'm learning how to keep my nerve and just enjoy. I'm also glad because I feel like I'm learning not to just be a 'slow' kind of dancer. I don't want to be, but that's what's natural to me. So, I'm trying to push myself more this year.
What highlights of your dance life touched you most?
One of my highlights that have touched me has been getting to do the Dying Swan variation. I was coached to do this for the Orchid Society's reception at Longwood Gardens this fall. It wasn't about being technically correct, but instead it was about what I felt like; that I truly got into it, and I'm so grateful that I got to do something so beautiful and emotional. I also really enjoyed being given the part of Snow Princess and Lead Princess of Persia, (Arabian Lead,) in the Rock School's Nutcracker this year. It was amazing to work further on partnering this year!
Who has most influenced you or had the greatest impact on you in regards to dance?
Well, I would definitely have to thank my family, teachers, and my friends for their impacts in my life as far as dance! My mom and dad have carted me around for so long, taking me to classes and rehearsals. I've annoyed them and inconvenienced them many times because of this, so there's a really large 'thank-you' right there. Then they've always been there for moral support too, of course. They sometimes need to tell me not to over-analyze things, because that's what I do, I over-analyze. Although often forgotten, I need to thank my two younger brothers a lot because they've put up with having their lives, countless times, being put on hold so that I can do what I need to do. Further, I want to thank my grandparents for coming to everything and being so very supportive. I also have to sincerely thank my teachers at Rock for coaching me and teaching me so much. I'm so grateful I also have a favorite dancer that has influenced me a lot, Alessandra Ferri! Whenever anyone asks me for my favorite dancer I pretty much shout it. I love her way of having pristine technique, but at the same time, having such dramatic quality. She has such deliberateness, too, in everything she does. Making just a rond de jambe beautiful. I also admire her because, (arguably,) she was the best Juliet ever known, and Juliet is my all-time dream part. I also have to thank my friends for helping me de-stress and giving me such amazing memories that I'll always remember. It's amazing how tight of bonds you create with your ballet peers; the fellow camaraderie gets us really closely knit. It's not like a normal job or school; it's a lifestyle and it creates something like a second family among your ballet friends. In addition, I also want to thank everyone who will vote for me for this! It means so much to me! Thank-you! And of course, thank-you Discount Dance Supply, for giving me this wonderful and unique opportunity.
If you could choose one dancer to perform with, who would it be, and what production would it be?
It's hard to choose, but I would love to work with anyone of Angel Corella, Ethan Stiefel, or Daniel Ulbricht. They're all such amazing dancers and I would be so honored! (Of course, this is in my dreams!) If I got to choose a production I wanted to be in and what part, I would want to be Juliet in Romeo and Juliet! I love Juliet so much because she would be such an amazing character to develop throughout the ballet. First, she's youthful, innocent, and being forced into a marriage she doesn't necessarily want, and then she falls in love with Romeo, and then she's distraught and very emotional. The first time I saw the balcony pas with Alessandra Ferri and Wayne Eagling, I was in love. I was like, this is it!
Can you describe the feeling you have when you are in the wings, waiting for your cue, and you hear the music and you enter the stage?
I try to stay calm back stage. I get rolls of calm, excited energy, and then quick bursts of, 'What if this happens? I'm going to mess this all up! I'm going to fall!' Then, when it's my cue, I get a moment of absolute nervous-wreck, and then a complete wash of joy to be on stage. It's such extremes, it really is hard to describe.
If you were to give one piece of advice to aspiring dancers, what would that be?
Listen to your teachers, be sure you want this, and if you want it, you have to prove it! You have to work hard, but on the other hand, know when you're injured or are overly stressed. You need to love this so, so much or else you'll hate every second of it. And please also remember; this is an art, not the Olympics! It's not about how high you can jump, or how large your developpe is, or how arched your feet are, or many turns you do. (I would also say to believe in yourself, but everyone says that!)
WHAT/WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE
Actor/Actress: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Will Smith, Julie Roberts, and Anne Hathaway.
Singer: I really like Tom DeLonge, Axl Rose, and Adam Levine. It's hard to say, however.
Color: Sometimes yellow, sometimes light pink, sometimes purple, sometimes aqua. It largely depends on the day.
Place To Visit: The same beach house my family and I rent every year in Avalon, New Jersey. I haven't been going recently, however, because of summer intensives conflicting. There's a lot of great family memories there, and I miss it. I also love New York City, but who doesn't?
Memory: I have a lot of really great memories of my family and friends, and then of course, my dancing. I can't pick just one.
Animal: My kitty, Angel!
Magazine: Pointe, Teen Vogue, and Seventeen.
Song: 'I Don't Want To Miss a Thing' by Aerosmith.
Holiday: Christmas and Easter.
Dancer: Alessandra Ferri!!!!!!
Movie: Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, National Treasure (1 and 2), You've Got Mail, The Dark Knight, and Hitch. Ballet movie? The Royal Ballet's Romeo and Juliet featuring Alessandra Ferri and Wayne Eagling, of course!
Outfit: Something feminine but not 'girly', however, that's hard to do everyday since I'm getting up so early every morning and dancing all day so sweats are more practical sometimes.
Hairstyle: I've always wanted curly hair, so I sometimes give myself waves, but I naturally have a really straight brown hair. I tend to pull it half-up half-down.
Jewelry: If you know me, you know I love rings and earrings!
Fragrance: I just got Betsey Johnson perfume for Christmas and I love it!
Shoes: On my 'someday wish list' I really want some Ed Hardy sneakers.
Dancewear: I love my new Natalie leotard that I wore in the photo shoot that's metallic silver! I also have a red leotard that I love.
Dance Catalog: Discount Dance Supply, of course!
Dance Competition: Youth American Grand Prix!
Last summer Jeanette attended Pacific Northwest Ballet School's summer intensive on a full scholarship. This year she will be attending San Francisco Ballet School's summer intensive on a full scholarship. She dances at the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, PA.
The winner of the contest receives an individual photoshoot, the chance to be on the cover or in an ad for DDS, and a $500 gift certificate. Jeanette will use the money for much needed pointe shoes! (she goes through a pair every 2-3 days).
***You can vote 5x a day per computer*** (http://www.discountdance.com/modelsearch/bio.php?modelname=jKakareka)
Thanks for reading and please VOTE TODAY!
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