To the Pointe!
Volume VIII Issue 1 The Louisville Academy of Dance celebrates the art of dance. We offer the finest in dance in- struction for ballet, jazz, tap and modern. The Louisville Academy of Dance is the home of River City Ballet, a 501c(3) pre-professional dance company that provides training and performance opportunities for young dancers. A Message From Kristen
Address: Louisville Academy of Dance 3600 Chamberlain Ln Suite #354 Louisville, KY 40241
Contact: LAD: [email protected] RCB: [email protected]
Online: LAD: http://ladballet.com RCB: http://www.rivercityballet-ky.org
Phone: 502.425.7454
In This Issue:
A Message From Kristen 1 Performance in Review 2 2017 Nutcracker One word keeps coming to me over and over again. It is the word “privilege”. I feel so privi- 2017 Nutcracker Tea leged to be working with these young dancers and witnessing their hard work, dedication The 2018 Nutcracker 4 and progress day-to-day, week-to-week, year-to-year. I remember back when I was nearing Dancer Spotlight 5 the end of my professional dancing career, looking around at the dancers in the company as Dancer Q & A 7 we were working. I had a vivid moment of realization that most people never have quite the Enjoying Ballet from the 11 Classroom to the Stage same bond with their fellow workers as we had. We all had a unique life experience – start- Meet the New Faculty 12 ed dancing at a young age, made sacrifices along the way that excluded just about every- How Going for It Can Better 16 thing but dance, had resumes by the time we were thirteen, and loved our craft completely Your Dancing and exclusively. I thought I would never have that same experience again. While dancing in Alumni Spotlight 18 a company is a very unique situation, I feel that I am experiencing that same feeling while Alumni News 20 Meet the Students 22 working with our students, that understanding of what it means to be a dancer and the pas- A Word About Summer Intensives 24 sion that goes along with that. It is with joy that we give you a window to look through in this newsletter.
Kristen Wenrick
Director Editor: Steven Jent Volume VIII 2 Issue I 2018
Performance in review
2017 “The Gift of the Nutcracker” River City Ballet
Artistic Director: Kristen Wenrick
The Clifton Center
December 17, 2017 Volume VIII 3 Issue I 2018
Performance in review
2017 Nutcracker Tea Volume VIII 4 Issue I 2018
River City Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
DATE: Sunday, December 9th TIME: 3:00 PM LOCATION: The Clifton Center
Hello everyone-
River City Ballet is excited to be presenting our annual Nutcracker performance, “The Gift of the Nutcracker”. River City Ballet will be performing this holiday classic on Sunday, Decem- ber 9, at 3:00 at the Clifton Center. Our shortened version will feature the dancers of River City Ballet, the youth performing company of Louisville Academy of Dance and guest dancers from our younger divisions.
Following the performance, join us for our annual Nutcracker Tea where you can meet some of your favorite characters from the ballet. The Sugar Plum Fairy will be there and she will bring her friends. Refreshments and goodies will be served and autograph books, along with other holiday keepsakes, will be for sale.
Come join us for a day of theater and fun. Ticket prices and all other details can be found on the bulletin board in the entryway. Order forms are located on the table in the entryway. Please be sure to fill out an order form, as we will be processing the orders by using those and not your check. PLEASE MAKE OUT ALL CHECKS TO "RIVER CITY BALLET".
We look forward to seeing you at the show!
River City Ballet Volume VIII 5 Issue I 2018
Compiled By: Merly Barnes When did you start dancing and why did it appeal to you? I started dancing at the age of four. My parents put me in dance because they wanted me to be in an activity and I was always dancing around the house. Have you practiced any other disciplines or been involved in other activities outside of dance? I stopped dancing for couple of years once I entered school. My parents put me in gymnastics because I could take the classes on the weekends and it was better for our schedule. That only lasted a couple of years and then I went right back into dancing. When did you start dancing at LAD and what has made it spe- cial to you? I initially took dance at LAD during the summer intensives. I attended the summer intensive when I was 13 and 14 years old. I started taking classes at LAD when I started my freshman year of high school in 2015. LAD is special to me because I feel like I receive one on one instruction on my technique from my teachers. I have come a long way in my ballet and Kaleigh Hampton pointe over the past four years. I also love the small class sizes and the friendship and support I received from my peers. At what time in your journey did you first go on pointe? How many pairs of pointe shoes do you have? I first started taking pointe of the age of 11. I have kept every pair of pointe shoes that I’ve owned. I have a total of 14 pairs of shoes that I’ve used and I try to always have two pairs available at all times. How many days a week do you practice and for how long? I dance seven days a week. I attend the Youth Performing Arts School, where I take classes anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours a day. I also take tap and modern classes at another studio 2 hours a week and classes at LAD for 9 hours a week. Total, I’m dancing about 23 hours a week, if I have performances or rehearsals after school it is even more than that. Have you ever danced competitively? Dance in competition over the past four years; I compete in tap or modern. Volume VIII 6 Issue I 2018
Spotlight on Kaleigh Hampton (cont.)
What has challenged you? There are definitely challenges in dance. For me, I excelled quickly in modern, jazz, and tap. Ballet and pointe have been much more difficult for me. Keeping good eating and sleeping habits are also a chal- lenge, but these things are necessary to keep up the strength you need for dance. At first, being critiqued was a challenge for me, but I’ve learned how to take the criticism and apply to become a better dancer. Did you attend any summer dance intensives? I have a attended summer intensives at LAD, The Louisville Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. I personally love summer intensives and I would strongly recommend all dancers to go to summer and said they can’t. It is rewarding to learn from different instructors and in different styles of dance.
What are your plans for after you graduate from LAD? After high school, I will be attending college as a dance major. My first choice for college is the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. I have also applied to Fordham, George Mason, Point Park, and WKU. What do you think about before you go on stage? How do you feel when you perform? Right before I go on stage, I just clear my mind. I try not to overthink the per- formance because I can get too anxious. While I’m dancing I feel comfortable and I allow my body to dance and my mind to be free.
Have you ever been injured in a practice or in a performance, how did it affect you? I have had injuries over the past few years. It is usually the same reoccurring injury (strained quad). The longest I’ve had to sit out of dance/modify was about 6 to 8 weeks. My injury is usually from dancing an extreme amount over a short amount of time. What do you think is the key to success in dancing? Do you have any advice for your fellow LAD dancers? I think the key to success in dancing is to work hard, take great care of your body, and to use your dancing time wisely. Dance is a very hard skill and it takes a lot of discipline to become successful. I also believe you need to love dance, but allow yourself to have other interests. My advice to my LAD peers is to keep your head up and never give up on your dreams. We are all individ- uals with different strengths/weaknesses. Don’t compare yourself to those around you, just try to focus on improving your skills and giving your best. Each day is another new day to improve.
Volume VIII 7 Issue I 2018
Noelia Age: 11 Dancer Q & A How long have you been dancing? I started dancing at 3 years old, so 8 years. Compiled By: Niki Rodriguez What inspires you to dance? I just started pointe, and it is amazing being up on pointe. I feel like I’m fly- ing and like nobody else is watching. When I dance, I forget about the whole world and focus on remembering what the next step is, along with having grace.
What is your favorite style of dance? My favorite has to be ballet, but I do enjoy tap and jazz.
What do you find most challenging in class? I think the most challenging thing in class is trying to always remember the combination, and doing it right. Like I might know what step I’m doing, but I might forget to point my toe doing it. Noelia Lexi
Do you have a favorite professional dancer? If so, who? I do have a favorite professional dancer, and her name is Misty Copeland. Lexi Age: 14
How long have you been dancing? Outside of dance, what do you enjoy doing? 11 years I don’t do much outside of dance. I have school, and most days I’m rushing to ballet right after I get home. But if I have free time, I love to draw. I just What inspires you to dance? let the pencil do what it wants. I also love to read, specifically the Warriors It’s very healthy and so fun! series by Erin Hunter, and Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan. What is your favorite style of dance? What are your future goals for dance? Ballet or tap
I hope to continue dance, and on pointe. In the Nutcracker, I would love to What do you find most challenging in class? be Sugar Plum. I would love to begin doing modern, but my schedule is a Adage little crazy, so I might not begin until next year. I would like to go on as a professional dancer. Do you have a favorite professional dancer? If so, who? Yes! Misty Copeland What do you like most about LAD? I like how we are like our own little community, but in one building. Every- Outside of dance, what do you enjoy doing? Piano, keeping up with school one pretty much knows each other, and we all are friends. I like how we
support each other, like a family. What are your future goals for dance? Working on stage presence What advice would you give to a new dance student starting at LAD? What do you like most about LAD? I would tell them to work as hard as they can, and be the best that they can The teachers are so dedicated and helpful. be. I would tell them that everyone has the potential to be a professional dancer if you work for it. Have fun along the way and good luck. What advice would you give to a new dance student starting at LAD? Persevere! Ballet is hard, but it will pay off. Volume VIII 8 Issue I 2018
Sophia Elizabeth
Sophia Age: 11 Elizabeth Age: 10
How long have you been dancing? How long have you been dancing? 8 years I am in the middle of my eighth year of dance.
What inspires you to dance? What inspires you to dance? How pretty it is. Dance is fun.
What is your favorite style of dance? What is your favorite style of dance? Ballet My favorite style is ballet.
What do you find most challenging in class? What do you find most challenging in class? Breathing The most challenging part of class for me is adage.
Do you have a favorite professional dancer? If so, who? Outside of dance, what do you enjoy doing? Wendy Whelan I enjoy riding my bike and doing crafts as well as playing Minecraft with my friends. Outside of dance, what do you enjoy doing? Piano What are your future goals for dance? I would like to dance for the rest of my life. What are your future goals for dance? Get better at everything What do you like most about LAD? I enjoy my ballet classes and that everyone at LAD is so friendly. What do you like most about LAD? The friends I’ve made and getting better at dancing. What advice would you give to a new dance student starting at LAD? What advice would you give to a new dance student starting at Go for it! You can be anything that you want to be. LAD? Always try your best. Volume VIII 9 Issue I 2018
Sara Emelia
Sara Age: 11 Emelia Age: 11
How long have you been dancing? How long have you been dancing? This will be my 8th year of dancing. 6 years
What inspires you to dance? What inspires you to dance? I can’t think of anything that inspires me to dance, but I love dancing very The art of it much and look forward to it every day. What is your favorite style of dance? What is your favorite style of dance? Ballet Ballet What do you find most challenging in class? What do you find most challenging in class? Arabesque Turns Do you have a favorite professional dancer? If so, who? Do you have a favorite professional dancer? If so, who? Misty Copeland Misty Copeland Outside of dance, what do you enjoy doing? Outside of dance, what do you enjoy doing? Drawing Horseback riding, hiking and reading What are your future goals for dance? What are your future goals for dance? Getting a higher arabesque I can’t think of anything but I do aim to become more flexible. What do you like most about LAD? What do you like most about LAD? Dancing I enjoy the Spring Showcase we do every year and the instruction is really good. What advice would you give to a new dance student starting at LAD? What advice would you give to a new dance student starting at Don’t talk in class. LAD? Practice. Volume VIII 10 Issue I 2018
Elise
Elise Age: 12
How long have you been dancing? I have been dancing for 9 ½ years. I started dancing when I was 3 years old at Louisville Ballet School, but 5 years ago, I moved to LAD, and I have loved it!
What inspires you to dance? What inspires me to dance is the fact that I can make and create beautiful things with my body! I can create different shapes and lines with my body to entertain people and to make them happy.
What is your favorite style of dance? My favorite style of dance is definitely ballet. I love all of my teachers, love dancing on pointe, and I am very excited to be dancing the role of Clara in the Nutcracker!
What do you find most challenging in class? What I find most challenging in class is frappé. I find frappés the most challenging thing in class because I sometimes have trouble holding my ribs and core and in frappé, your core really wants to move around.
Do you have a favorite professional dancer? If so, who? My favorite professional dancer is Wendy Whelan because I love her story, and I find it so inspiring that she loved dance so much that she was still dancing even when she was in her late forties!
Outside of dance, what do you enjoy doing? Outside of dance, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and singing in my school and church choir. I also enjoy participating in my school’s musicals. This year the musical is Guys and Dolls.
What are your future goals for dance? My future goal for dance is to become an actress on Broadway in musicals where I can use my dancing, acting, and singing skills.
What do you like most about LAD? What I like most about LAD is the loving community. All of the teachers and students at LAD are super nice and caring about everyone! You can also make a bunch of new friends.
What advice would you give to a new dance student starting at LAD? I would tell any new students that they will absolutely love LAD! When I first came to LAD, I loved the environment and all of the positive energy! And you will make amazing and long-lasting friendships here! Volume VIII 11 Issue I 2018
Enjoying Ballet from the Classroom to the Stage
Ballet is hard, and seeing students discover this fact is both exciting and painful at the same time. Once serious bal- let training begins, a student will spend a lot of time facing the barre, and in most studio settings, this means they’ll be staring at a blank wall for months. So how does one instill the joy of dance and foster that passion from the first class to the final bow? Here are a few ideas.
Training isn’t entertaining. Allow the hard work to hook students. Sadly, in our insta-culture where everyone gets a trophy, many fall prey to the “ballet is boring” trap, and we try to stay engaged with bribes of theatrics or prize rewards.
Guess what? Ballet is engaging on its own. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Dancers love to work hard. The excitement and eventual satisfaction a young ballet student feels when required to work on a step over and over is brand new to them. Allowing a dancer (of any age) to fall in love with hard work is paramount to falling in love with ballet – for life.
Encourage personality from the beginning. “The world doesn’t need another mean ballet dancer,” I tell students. First impressions are key. What we say with our faces sets the tone for the entire experience for the student, the teacher, and eventually the audience. I firm- ly believe that encouraging expressiveness is key to helping the ballet dancer enjoy the work.
When concentrating, we often forget about facial tension. The muscles are memoriz- ing an expression of the face at the same time as gaining the strength to stretch the legs, hold the arms, etc. Proper epaulement uses the head, so why not also use the eyes? Not only is it engaging to watch, but it helps the dancer begin to discover their artistry.
I explain to ballet students that the difference between looking like a student or a professional is often as simple as the facial expression you’re making. In an audition, if there are two dancers of equal ability, but one looks pleasant and the other looks nervous, guess who’s more than likely to get the school acceptance or the job?
Focusing primarily on the performance is an opportunity missed for joy. We live in an impatient society, and with all of the instant access to everything; we’ve lost the joy that comes from anticipation. Ballet students need to be encouraged to see the work in the classroom as rewarding in itself, and then, when they finally make it to the stage, they will have the entire experience to relish for life – not just the time from curtain up to curtain down.
Performing is a goal. It is a reward. It is the cherry on top. But in the training of ballet dancers, if we don’t teach how to enjoy the journey in its entirety, our artists are going to miss out on the chance for a huge love affair with ballet.
Article by: Matthew C. Donnell Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Faculty *Reprinted with permission from the Author Volume VIII 12 Issue I 2018
Interviews Conducted by: Sarah Jent
Meet Sarah Goud
Sarah joined the Louisville Ballet in 1995 under the direction of Alun Jones and Helen Starr. Sarah’s Principal roles include Fascinating Rhythm in Who Cares?, Alice in Alice in Wonderland, and Kitri in the full-length Don Quixote. She left the Louis- ville Ballet in 2003 to teach and perform internationally with her husband, David. This year she is teaching BB2, Academy-level ballet classes, and the adult ballet class at LAD.
When did you start dancing, and what led you to dance?
I started dancing when I was ten years old. I was a competitive gymnast from age two to ten and dance was a part of our gymnastics training for the floor exercise. The floor exercise was my favorite event. I ended up having a pretty good fall off the balance beam one day and I was a little too scared to get back up on it. I was the Kentucky State Gymnastics champion at age nine so I was pretty seriously into gymnastics and so that fall was pretty devastating. The dance teacher at J-Town Gymnastics recommended that I start taking ballet classes if I was serious about dance. I had done a modern dance performance with her at Fleet Street Dance Company. She said if I was serious about dance I should take ballet classes because it is a great base for every kind of dance form. I found ballet just as challenging if not more so than gymnastics and pretty much fell in love with it.
Which dance role or performance was your favorite to perform and why?
I’m asked that question quite often and that’s a hard question but one of my favorites would have to be dancing in George Balanchine’s Sere- nade. I was cast in it at age sixteen with the Louisville Ballet and was able to perform it two more times with them before I left in 2003.The music (Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings) was just beautiful. I fell in love with that and fell in love with the movement and dancing with the group of strong dancers. It was always one of my favorite roles to perform. I also liked the light blue Lycra bodice with the long blue tulle skirt. It felt a little bit more freeing than a tutu and not as revealing as a unitard. I think the costume itself was very liberating and enjoyable for me.
Volume VIII 13 Issue I 2018
Meet Sarah Goud (cont.)
What do you think is the best thing about teaching dance?
The best thing about teaching dance I would have to say is just seeing when a student has been empowered to do even the smallest thing and to see that they are getting joy from finding that something worked, whether it be strength-wise or flexibility-wise or just some- thing that clicks in them. Just seeing the joy of empowerment. Seeing them enjoy the fruits of their labor and rising to the occasion. I enjoy that very much.
If you could describe your dance classes in three words what would they be?
Joyful, energetic, precise
What advice do you have for young dancers?
I would say maintaining balance in your life with ballet, school, friends, family is important. Also make good choices towards your goals. Keep your ears and eyes open to take in as much as you can every day. There are things that might serve your study of ballet and the art form whether it’s the people around you or artistically just observing things around you. Also directly watching ballet: live performances or online. It’s such a great resource we have now.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would like to say that I’m impressed with the training here. I’ve been a lot of places and there are others I’ve been impressed with along the way but I would like to say I’ve been impressed with the training and to keep up the good work. Volume VIII 14 Issue I 2018
Meet Casey Ross-Russell
Upon graduating high school, Casey auditioned for and was accepted into the Martha Graham School of Dance in New York City where she became a member of the Ensemble. She advanced further in the company and began touring abroad. During this time she obtained a teaching cer- tification in the Graham technique and also assisted the Company Director in restaging choreog- raphy. This year she is teaching Modern 4 at LAD.
When did you start dancing, and what led you to dance?
I believe I was 2 ½. When you are 2 ½ who knows what leads you but I stuck with it. I guess something was glamorous about it at 2 ½.
Which dance role or performance was your favorite to perform and why?
I’ve always enjoyed performing very dramatic roles. That’s why I’ve enjoyed the Martha Graham technique. My favorite was probably the Dance of Medea which is an excerpt from Cave of the Heart.
What do you think is the best thing about teaching dance?
Growing up in my time and being a dancer in my time was totally different. I want the students to learn what a positive experience it can be. What I teach is a very difficult technique and I want them to learn that it can be so beneficial and strength-building. If I don’t teach it in a posi- tive, nurturing way it can be very disenchanting simply because it is so difficult to learn, but it is so beneficial to core fundamentals for ballet.
If you could describe your dance classes in three words or phrases, what would they be?
Dramatic, exciting, and high expectations…with patience
What advice do you have for young dancers?
To soak up every ounce of instruction given and to perform in every single class. That way when they perform on stage it’s much more familiar.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’ve been so blown away at the discipline and the respect LAD students have. I’ve been away from the whole industry for a while so to come back into this and be treated so beautifully, I’m humbled. I’m honored to be here. It’s been really wonderful. I look forward to my class here every single week. Also, I tell the students in every single class not to be afraid of me. Just because I teach something hard doesn’t mean that I am necessarily a hard person. They need to ask me any questions that they have. Volume VIII 15 Issue I 2018
Meet Mary Jane Stoess
Mary Jane Stoess is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Point Park University, earning her BA in dance with a concentration in Ballet and Jazz. Mary Jane was a performer for Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA and has danced in several local modern dance companies in Louisville. This year she is teaching pre-ballet, BB1, and Academy A at LAD.
When did you start dancing, and what led you to dance?
I think I started dancing when I was three and it was because that’s what my older sister did. I loved it. My training was a little bit of everything. I would do tap, jazz, and ballet. I did dance team when I was in middle school. I really loved dance and then I decided to be more serious about it so then I started doing some more serious ballet training with going to college in mind.
Which dance role or performance was your favorite to perform and why?
In college I got to do a modern dance in the Dunham technique and I really enjoyed that because it felt really free. It felt like my style and I felt really confident doing it. It was also something that was new to me. I also performed as a magician’s assistant at Thunder Over Louisville about ten years ago and the magician was the opener for the fireworks. I had the best seat in the house.
What do you think is the best thing about teaching dance?
It’s the students. I just love interacting with the students and hearing what they have to say. All ages are unique. Watching everybody grow in so many different ways: growing dance-wise but also growing personality-wise and coming out of their shells. It’s just really rewarding.
If you could describe your dance classes in three words what would they be?
Joyful, technical, fun
What advice do you have for young dancers?
I would say to try to take classes from as many different teachers as you can, experience lots of different techniques, and just be exposed to as much as you can. It’s great to take class with people that are better than you because you really can learn a lot by watching other students. Watch as much dance as you can, including different styles of dance and be inspired to maybe move a different way or dance bigger. Watch live performances. Watching people on stage can be inspiring, motivating, and can change how you dance just because you can see what it could look like if you try something new.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’m just really excited to be here. I’ve enjoyed my time so far. It’s been really fun working with all the students and getting to know the fami- lies. Volume VIII 16 Issue I 2018
How Going for It Can Better Your Dancing
Recently, I had the opportunity to watch a master at work: I took photos at a Master Class taught by the one and only Edward Ellison, which meant I got to be a fly on the wall and soak up his words of wisdom. Among my favorites? “I want to see your fire.”
It was interesting, because obviously, every dancer in that studio was passionate about ballet. They had risen on a Sunday morning to take an optional class, they listened intently and worked to apply correction, and tried to move with steely accuracy. There were perfect fifth positions, gorgeous lines, and precise landings, but “fire”–or the ability to go for it–was the difference maker. It made me think about my favorite dancers, the ones I grew up idolizing, and what made them so special: They shared an intangi- ble x-factor that made their arabesques seem higher, their turns whip around faster, and their entire movement more alive. You could practically see them throwing themselves into every step, holding nothing back, and moving with this sense of fearless aban- don. It is this feeling that makes ballet so captivating.
As a student, it is tricky to balance that feeling, because you want to do every step per- fectly, which means you’re worried about technique, being exact, and doing everything right. These are admirable motivations–after all, what is ballet without technique? Tech- nique is the foundation. But going for it is often what gets you there. So, how does one strike a balance between taking the chances that make you a better dancer and still trying to do your best?
Perhaps a major fear surrounding taking chances, pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, and going for it is being scared to fail. Countless dancers are perfectionists by nature, which is what makes them so driven and devoted to their craft. However, from a psychology standpoint, fear of failure can actually deter success. We become too afraid to try because we want to get it right. We don’t want to step out of our comfort zone because we don’t want to be wrong. Despite this, “going for it,” is how you learn the boundaries of your current abilities, test temporary limits, and eventually allow yourself to grow as an artist physically and mentally. Volume VIII 17 Issue I 2018
While technique is the tool, skill, and foundation that’s fundamental to ballet, courage, passion, and artistry are what make a dancer. If you stay within the limits of what you know, you don’t give yourself the opportunity to reach new heights. Going for it doesn’t have to be flashy, or demanding attention, but it does entail turning inward and finding your fire, so to speak. What’s that little extra push that allows you to go a bit further? Is it confidence? Is it passion? Really, it is a combination of the two that enables you hit that fifth position, hear the music, and give it everything you have.
Sometimes, we don’t know what we can do until we do it. I was thinking back on my own train- ing, when I was eleven or twelve and was in one of my first pointe classes. We were working on going down the barre with one hand, stepping into a coupé pique. I’m sure we all looked very much like we were waiting to fall: Nervously gripping the barre, timidly scooting onto pointe in terror. My teacher, after fifteen minutes of urging us to “step out” and “go forward,” finally uttered: “You’re being so careful that you’re going to hurt yourself.” The idea was that caution isn’t always your friend, nor does it give you the desired outcome. Of course, there were times that I fell—not just in that step, but in countless others as well. Just as you don’t know how to balance until you let go of the barre, sometimes, you have to risk the slip in order to get the step, so to speak.
Ballet is built on routine: It is created of the same steps, repeated, typically, in the same order that is barre and center work. This routine is what allows performances to unfold so masterfully, and affords dancers the opportunity to be creative within their interpretation of choreography and character. However, that routine is what you make of it. When you play it safe and dance small, you take away opportunities to see what you are capable of, and where you want to go. Give yourself permission to get a step wrong, to miss so you can move forward, to find the fire that makes good dancers into great ones. Come out of your shell. Let your body move without your brain second-guessing it. Sometimes, trying to be perfect can get in the way of what is real- ly good. No good ever came from fear of failure, but in terms of going for it, bettering your tech- nique, and establishing the next stage of your dancing, it is your fire that lights the way. Let it burn.
Article reprinted from BalletHub.com *Reprinted with permission from the Author Volume VIII 18 Issue I 2018
Compiled By: Merly Barnes
When did you start dancing and why did it appeal to you? I started dancing at age 5. I used to dance around my house all the time, so my mom thought ballet would be fun for me. Have you practiced any other disciplines or been involved in other activities outside of dance? At different points in time I took art classes, belonged to a choir, and showed my dog. None of these activities took nearly as much time or dedication as my dancing.
Who or what encouraged you to dance? I realized after receiving my pointe shoes that dance was a passion of mine. I talked to a few teachers and Ms. Donna Richards encouraged me to pursue dance and helped me figure out where to start to train seriously. When did you start dancing at LAD and what has made it special to you? Rebekah Degnan I started dancing at LAD in my junior year of high school. By then I knew I wanted to be a professional ballerina and needed to find a school where I could get the proper number of hours of training, yet still be able to assist with classes since I also want to teach when I’m older. LAD was the only place where I would be able to do both.
At what time in your journey did you first go on pointe? How many pairs of pointe shoes do you have? I got my first pair of pointe shoes on January 12, 2013 when I was 12 years old. From that point on, nothing else was as important to me as my dancing. I am currently up to pair number 50.
How many days a week do you practice and for how long? Now that I’m in college, I train 5 days per week approximately 20 hours per week in ballet, pointe, modern, and variations. I also take classes in choreography, lighting and sound, costuming, music, and somatics.
Have you ever danced competitively? I have participated in 3 dance competitions. Dance Cincinnati Youth competition my sophomore year where I received the Promising Dancer award. Indianapolis City Ballet Competition Fall of my senior year. Youth America Grand Prix Spring of my senior year where I placed in the top 24 in the Senior Division in Indianapolis. Volume VIII 19 Issue I 2018
Spotlight on Rebekah Degnan (cont.)
What has challenged you? Sometimes it is hard to stay encouraged because you can get to a point of over-evaluating yourself and be discouraged by not seeing as much progress as one would hope to see. Also, everything affects the way you dance and use your body as an instrument. Just like an instrument must be tuned, we need to take the care of our body seriously including having proper nutrition and getting enough sleep.
Did you attend any summer dance intensives? I have attended at least one summer dance intensive each summer since 2015. I recommend attending them because the more teachers you have exposure to, the more you will develop as a dancer because each one will have their own style and focus on different types of movement.
What have you been doing since you graduated from LAD? I am currently a freshman at the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music as a ballet major. This school has been my dream school ever since I first visited my freshman year of high school.
What do you think about before you go on stage? How do you feel when you perform? I run through the music in my head and try to visualize myself performing the dance and remind myself that I need to breathe. I feel free when I am dancing and that I can truly embody another character on stage.
Do you have a favorite dancer? I love, respect, and watch many dancers. Each one expresses their artistry in a different way with a different style. A young dancer can learn a lot from watching a variety of dancers, because each has something different to offer. A few of my favorites are Maria Kotchetkova, Natalia Osipova, and Tiler Peck.
Have you ever been injured in a practice or in a performance, how did it affect you? I have had a tear in the cartilage behind my knee cap on my left knee and a stress fracture in my lower back. Being injured is hard and is a very emotionally challenging time. My injuries required me to take a break from dancing which taxes your emotion because you can no longer dance and express your feeling through dance. However, it is also physically damaging because it makes certain areas out of shape and lose a lot of the progress and muscle memory that you created. After injury, you have to retrain your body to do what dance asks of you.
How do you keep yourself fit and healthy? Drink lots and lots of water. Hydration is super important and has a huge effect on how well your body processes multiple things. Eating healthy, proper sleep and cross training. Doing exercises and working on physically challenging movements outside of the classroom is when you will see the most progress. Dance only works in a specific direction and it is important to work your body in the other direction to balance it out.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I am hoping to be in a professional ballet company and teaching kids ballet. My goal is to open up my own dance studio, which is why I am pur- suing an entrepreneurship minor.
What do you think is the key to success in dancing? Do you have any advice for your fellow LAD dancers? There is no one thing that will make you a success in the dance world but I would suggest to challenge and push yourself, do not wait for others to do it for you. Be musical, and be different, express your love for dance and show that to others. Volume VIII 20 Issue I 2018
Claire Donovan
“I am currently a junior at Indiana University getting a bachelor in science in ballet with an out- side field in psychology. We just finished our fall ballet program where I performed a principal part in Jerome Robbins' "Antique Epigraphs". It was very exciting to learn this ballet from one of our faculty members, Kyra Nichols, because it was choreographed on her by Jerome Robbins himself. It was so enriching to be in the studio with her to hear about the process and the crea- tion of the ballet and all the specifics that Robbins wanted. Currently we are getting ready for our annual production of Micheal Vernon’s The Nutcracker. I am excited to be performing in Arabian which is a very technical pas de deux in our version of the Nutcracker. I will also be performing as a maid, snow flake, and Demi-flower.”
Kathleen Meyer
“I just recently performed as a dancer on the Emmy-winning amazon prime show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I am currently auditioning and dancing in New York City and will be performing in the Christmas show at Southeast Christian Church. I also am planning on pursuing my fitness instructor certification this fall. “
Lily Payne
“I’m in my senior year of college at Dominican University, ma- joring in dance in the LINES ballet BFA program. This summer I had the opportunity to attend the RUBBERBANDANCE workshop in Canada. They’re a contemporary company that blends elements of hip hop with contemporary dance. I also just performed my senior solo that was choreographed by Babatunji Johnson, a company member of LINES, in September. I’m also a Mark Foehringer Young Choreographers Recipient, so some of my work will be performed in a few venues in San Francisco later this year which is really exciting. Other than dance I’m just enjoying being with my friends and the beauty of the west coast!” Haylee Richter
Haylee is a freshman at University of South Florida in Tampa. She is majoring in chemistry with a minor in dance. USF offers a dance science certification program that Haylee will complete as well. She wants to eventually go to physical therapy school to work with dancers. Volume VIII 21 Issue I 2018
Katherine Sawicki
Katherine is currently in her second season with Indianapolis Ballet. She most recently performed in three ballets by the iconic George Balanchine- Four Temperaments, Raymonda Variations, and Sere- nade. The company is now preparing for their “New Works” program in November followed by The Nutcracker in December. She is thrilled to be dancing such an extensive repertoire and continuing to explore her new city!
Georgia Taylor
“Currently a junior at the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College, I am pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a minor in Arts Management. Last semester, I showed some original chore- ography and was selected to add a composition concentration to my degree. This allows me to make more pieces than the average student, including a 10- to 12-minute senior project. Over the sum- mer, I attended three summer intensives - the college program at Perry-Mansfield in Colorado, Ohad Naharin's Gaga Program at Jacob's Pillow in Massachusetts, and the Henny Jurriens Foundation Workshop Intensive in Amsterdam, Netherlands. I am passionate about contemporary and modern dance, as well as dance theater and acting. In December, I will be performing with Purchase Dance Company in Dreams, a piece by Anna Sokolow, and am excited to have the opportunity to perform such a powerful work. “
Elizabeth Walton
“Salut from Paris! After completing my master’s degree, I was trying to find a way to combine my pas- sion for dance with my studies in computer science. I then decided to moved to Paris, France, to begin a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction and dance with the French Institute for Research in Computer Sci- ence and Automation (INRIA). I will be using dancers as movement experts to design learnable ges-tures that lend themselves to expressivity in inclusive movement-based interactions. I’m thrilled be able to dance and choreograph while incorporating aspects of each into my computer science studies.“ Volume VIII 22 Issue I 2018
Academy A/BB3
Academy B Volume VIII 23 Issue I 2018
Academy C
Academy D Volume VIII 24 Issue I 2018
Academy E & F
*Class Photo Credit: Kristen Wenrick
A Word About Summer Intensives
While thoughts of Sugar Plum Fairies dance through our heads, summer commitments are just around the corner. For the dedicated dancer, choosing to audition for a summer intensive can be an exciting and intimidating decision. Intensives are an excellent opportunity for a dancer to mature as an artist, and they provide insight into determining whether a particular company will be worth pursuing for college or a career. As well, the artist has the freedom to dance for many weeks without any other obligations. Intensives help build the resumé and show prospec- tive schools and companies that the dancer is fully committed to her discipline. There are a multitude of reasons why a dancer should explore participating in an intensive, and the decisions begin as early as December. This is the time for applications, auditions, and commitments.
While the holidays are an excellent opportunity for a dancer to rest and recover, it is also the critical time to stay in shape for auditions for an intensive, which can provide indispensable opportunities for the dancer’s future.
When choosing an intensive, consider many things - length of weeks, how far you want to be away from home, how many classes are offered a week, what types of classes you are interested in apart from ballet and pointe. All are different. Many of these questions are answered on the website of the intensive. Dance Magazine and Pointe magazine are also helpful resources. You can consult with other dancers for their opin- ions and above all talk to Kristen!
By:
Jennifer Wright