Well, I'm back. Did you miss me? I had so much fun these past five weeks. Here's an update.
Joffrey South
Joffrey South was a great 3 weeks. I danced for six hours a day (mostly ballet) and loved it the whole time. One of the best things about it was that I got a GREAT roommate. Her name was Laura and she and I were two peas in a pod. She's been home-educated her whole life, she has scoliosis, we've had some of the same parts in Nutcracker, and she wears a ribbon headband to class too! It couldn't have been better. Laura is definitely a friend that I will always remember.
Now, on to the dancing. We had great teachers at Joffrey South. Olivier Wecxsteen and Valerie Madonia were our main teachers. Along with Danny Austin (musical theatre) and Trinity Hamilton. Every day started out with technique class, then either pointe or pas. The last two classes were either variations, musical theatre, pilates, or choreography (we also had jazz and improv). While we were there, we learned a total of five variations. On Monday of the last week, Valerie and Olivier chose who got to do which variation in the show. There were five girls per variation. Laura and I were chosen to do the Giselle one. In the musical theatre classes we learned the Mambo from Westside Story. I was a shark and my name was Isabella. At first, I didn't think I could do it (the movements were so foreign to my body) but then I decided to get into it and I think I did pretty well. We also learned a dance to music from Appalachian Spring that Valerie and Olivier choreographed. That was fun too.
Overall, my experience at Joffrey South was encouraging and fun. At the very end, I had a meeting with Valerie and Olivier about what I'm good at, what I need to work on, what to do in the future, etc. One of the things that Valerie said was that I shined on stage. When I heard that I was like cool, that's what I came here to do. I thank God that He was able to use me. And thanks to everyone else for all of their prayers and support.
Ballet Magnificat!
From Joffrey South I headed straight to Ballet Magnificat! It was really fun as well. I got in level 9 (which I was glad about) and I had a good small group. In pas class we learned the grand pas from Don Quixote. I had never learned a whole pas before and that was pretty cool (especially the arabesque press above his head). One of the big things that God showed me there was that I cannot do anything by myself; it is all Him working through me.
I had a great time this summer. Check out the Ballet photo album for more pics.
PS-the store should be open soon.
Rebekah Diaddigo 