Nutcracker Time!

Hello everyone! I am SO sorry for not posting in a while, but I've been pretty busy lately.

So, as you might be able to tell by the title, today is my Nutcracker! Yesterday was tech/dress rehearsal, which was 10 hours long, and I was exhausted. But I got some sleep, drank mint tea with lots of honey and ate cough drops for my sore throat (perfect timing, right?), and took a shower, and now I am ready for performances! I have never been in the Nutcracker, because the studio I was at before didn't do one, and I've always wanted to be, which makes it all the more special.

Merde to all those in the Nutcracker this season! Good luck to everyone else, if you have some other sort of show!

<3

Holidays!

Hello everyone! Sorry for not posting regularly, and I apologize for not having a good excuse either...

Anyway, I'd just like to make a post on the holiday season that is happening!!! I celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I am really excited for those events. I don't why, but this year for some reason I am really feeling the holiday spirit, the feeling you only get around this time of year.
I decided to make a list of the things that excite me most/I love about this time of year (in no particular order)...Enjoy!

1) Being with friends and family
2) Twinkling lights
3) Hot chocolate
4) Candy canes
5) Giving gifts
6) Receiving gifts
7) Snow (if we're lucky-fingers crossed!)
8) Holiday parade
9) Christmas shopping
10) Secret Santa (at my new studio, the students in Int. 1, 2, and Adv. organize a Secret Santa for each level!)

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving (if you celebrate it)! Comment below what you're looking forward to this holiday season!

<3

My Dance Schedule

Hi everyone! I thought I might share my dance schedule with you...everyone's schedule is different, so maybe it'll be interesting for some of you out there to see mine.


Sunday: Nothing

Monday: Nothing

Tuesday: Technique class (1 1/2 hrs), pointe (1 hr)

Wednesday: Modern (1 hr)

Thursday: See Tuesday

Friday: Nothing

Saturday: Conditioning (1 hr), technique class (1 1/2 hrs), Nutcracker rehearsal (3 hrs 15 mins)


And that's what a regular week is like for me. I'd love to have a couple more technique classes, but I'll work with what I've got.

I just wanted to quickly say that my thoughts go out to all on the east coast that are in the path of Hurricane Sandy! My ballet teacher in class yesterday said something about our dancing, about trying to dance well enough to give her a shivery feeling, and with our dancing we can try to send love to the people on the east coast. I hope you felt it, because I tried really hard when she said that! (And I'll keep trying hard in classes to come!)

Next post will be "What's in my dance bag" hopefully! Comment any other posts I should do!
<3

More Nutcracker News!

Hi guys! I just wanted to make a quick post about the Nutcracker production I'm in this year. In my last Nutcracker post, I talked a bit about how I was a little disappointed to just be in Snow (which as we've continued it, it's really fun!), but I was still going to work hard, and know my understudy part for Flowers, etc. Well, yesterday, during rehearsal, when we were having studio switch-around so people could rehearse some pieces in the second act, the artistic director told me he needed two more people in Spanish, so now I'm a Spanish dancer too! I'm really excited to be a part of the second act, because I love all the little dances and the fun costumes that come with it.

I think I'll leave it at that...I have homework....
<3

It's October?!

Oh my goodness! I can't believe it's already October! I have finally survived my first month of school...ick. I'm not a big fan of school, but I can't wait for high school next year! 

Since my blog is about dance, I suppose I should post about dance...well, I'll post about the Nutcracker!  So far, rehearsals for Snow are fun, since we've added more to the dance. It kinda sucks for the rest of rehearsal I'm not actually full out dancing, but whatever. Learning Flowers is good, even if I never go on (which is incredibly likely. I'm an understudy for the real understudy), because there's a good chance I can be in it next year, so it's nice to get a feel for it. 

There was also an online packet thing-y that was sent out mostly for the parents about how they can help with the Nutcracker, and what the kids need and stuff. They want us Jr. Company people to have makeup by Ben Nye, which I haven't heard of before. I looked it up, and it seemed like good makeup...it's actual stage makeup, which is probably why we "need" to have it. Have any of you guys heard of it? Is the quality good?

How's dance - or skating ;) - going for you guys? Comment below! I love hearing from you!

<3

Nutcracker Cast!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to make a quick post about the Nutcracker! As (I think) I've already told you, I'm at a new studio this year, and they do the Nutcracker, which I was very excited to learn!
Last Saturday, the 8th, was the Nutcracker auditions, and Saturday, yesterday, was the day the cast list came out! I learned that I am a Snowflake, which at my age is kinda something everyone seems to do. I felt a bit disappointed to learn that (besides the scenes that literally everyone is in) I wasn't doing anything else, even understudying (except for Flowers...see, if you're not in Snow, you understudy for a Snowflake, and if you're not in Flowers, you understudy for a Flower).
Let me back up for a minute and do a little explaining. The cast list that came out is for the older kids, which basically dominate the second act. The couple levels that do the Nutcracker below the Intermediate-Advanced levels are in the Party scene, and a little bit in the second act.
Okay, now continuing on. I am happy to be a Snowflake, really I am. But I just wish I had a little more that I could do. What am I supposed to do after the Snow and Flower dances are done being learned?  Sit in one of the studios and watch while doing Thera-Band exercises? My feet and legs would be really strong if that's what happened. I just really want to be really committed, but I can't show that very well in my situation.
But instead of being depressed all the time, I am going to write down the Snow and Flowers dances, and making sure that I know them really well in case I have to go in as a Flower. I'm going to have my parts, real and understudy, completely memorized. And maybe even learn one of the dances like the Spanish, Russian, or Chinese. I will also work very hard in class, to prove even more that I am a committed dancer.

I'll post updates on rehearsal and classes soon!
<3

Should I? Tell Me! + Dance Update

Hey everyone!
I don't know about you, but I started school this week, and so far, it's not bad. But school is school...not something that you guys probably care to read about. So instead, I shall update you on  my dance life! This year, I am starting at a new studio, and I'm really excited, especially because they do a Nutcracker! Classes start next week, but tomorrow is the Nutcracker auditions so that rehearsals can start right away. I haven't seen any of their Nutcracker productions, so I don't know exactly what to expect at my age, or what parts I have a shot at. But I will maybe update before I leave, but I will definitely after I get back and tell you what it was like.
On I different note, I have I question that I asked in the past, and wanted to bring it up again because I didn't get any response. The question is: should I make fashion blog? I've tossed the idea around a bit, but haven't made any decisions. The reason I bring it up is that a person I know created a tumblr, and she had this idea that everyday of that month she will put her iPod on shuffle, and whatever song comes on inspires her outfit that day. I really like the idea a lot. I thought of some options, too. I could make a whole separate blog, or I could have a side series on this blog basically doing what the other person is doing, but not just getting inspiration from music, but from other things too. What those would be, I don't know. But please please PLEASE tell me what you think! If this won't interest you guys, then I won't do it, or I'll just make a separate blog, and designate this one to my dance/theater/everyday life posts.

Thanks for taking the time to read!
<3

The tumblr I mentioned: http://depassionforfashion.tumblr.com/ Check it out, it's really cool!

Update!

Ok, I know that most of my previous posts are titled the same thing-update. But this blog is kinda about my life, so I feel that basically I am updating you on what's happening in my life currently...anyway, last Sunday was our closing of Godspell. There were many tears, and by what people have been saying on Facebook, many after that day. I can confirm that that happened to me. We had created this great community of friends, and it was so hard to go from seeing each other every day like school to, well, not. I live in a different part of the city than where most of the cast does, and where the place I did the intensive is, so it's not like I can just wake up, walk a couple blocks, and be reunited with some people from the intensive.
Also, as soon as the intensive ended, I realized school will start in only a couple weeks, unfortunately. While most people spent their time at the beach or pool, going shopping or going to amusement parks, or on vacation, I spent it in an air conditioned theater, learning songs, memorizing lines, practicing dance steps, and finally, performing. But honestly? I didn't want to spend my summer how most did. I wanted to spend my summer just as it played out. And even though at the end of it all there were sad times, it was completely worth every second of it. It was an amazing experience, and I hope to have many similar to it.

I hope you enjoyed my sappy post- I'll post more soon because...back to school is happening soon. But hey, more to post on! I think I might do some sort of "What's in my dance bag" post.
I'll be posting soon!
<3

Opening Night!

Hi everyone! It's been a while, I know, but honestly, I don't have a ton to post on. But today I do! As the title says above, tonight is the opening night of Godspell! I'm already getting butterflies thinking about it, because we're completely sold out! Last night we had a preview, with a sort of half audience...okay, let me explain: the theater has three sides, so, in a way, three audiences. There's a big center section, and then two smaller sides, which are probably half-ish as big as the center. Anyway, the preview audience was pretty much full in the middle, one side audience had the front row filled, and the other one had one person in the second row...that means tonight is going to be so different.
Well, I should go...wish me luck!
<3

Another Update...

Hello everyone! Time has flown by so fast, it's been a week since my last post! Oh, and happy August! I know that some people in different states start school this week or the 15th, or something like that, but I start back September 5th, so I still have a month of summer left :)
Godspell has been going amazing! I saw the level younger than me in their production of School House Rock Live, Jr., and they were very cute! I think it would be more interesting if there was more acting. It was mostly songs, and lasted for only about 40 minutes (Godspell's first act is somewhere around 50 minutes, and the second act is about 20ish).
Oh, I have something dance related to post about, too! I killed my second pair of pointe shoes! YAY!!! I feel so accomplished. So sometime soon my mom and I are going to go to a dance store, where I really want to try on Freeds... There's no rush because next week my intensive starts going an hour later, and then that Friday we start tech (adding in all the lights, and everything) which we do the following Monday, too, and that's 3 hours later than when we usually end. ANYWAY, the reason it's not going to be a rush is because I won't be able to make my dance classes that week, or for the next because our performances start on Wednesday the 15th.

Well, that's about it for now! I hope you all enjoyed, and thanks for reading!
<3

Quick Update

Hey everyone! I know it's been a little while, but I have been so busy lately! We only have four weeks to get our Godspell show together, and time has flown by so incredibly fast-yesterday was the end of our second week. I actually have to choreograph a dance to the musical part (interlude?) of All Good Gifts, so that is something I will be working on this weekend.
Sorry to make this post short-is there anything that you would like me to post on? Please comment below!
Bye!

Godspell!

Hello everyone! As the title says above, I will be posting on my experience in my theater intensive today. So, first off, I'd like to say this isn't you average summer theater camp where you have a week to sorta learn the songs, put some cool-ish dance moves to them, and call it a show. No, this is an intensive, meaning it's hard work, where the songs have to be near perfect, our diction has to in tip-top shape, and we have classes twice a week to help with acting. But the best part of all of it? I LOVE it!!! We're three days into it, have learned about six of the songs, and worked on some blocking (which, if you don't know, is how we move around the stage, and where we are in a scene...and stuff like that).
This thing is also four weeks long, so it's going to be a lot of serious hard work and focus that has to be on point every minute. Godspell is also such a fun show (with the tendency to be repetitive), so it's hard not to have fun!

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! I'll definitely post more later, whether it's about Godspell or dance, I don't know.
Bye!

ARGH!!!!! SO Sorry!!!

Hello everyone! I'm am mentally slapping myself, because I forgot my promise of more posts this week! But I'm posting now, and starting tomorrow, I will have way more to blog about, although it won't all be about ballet/dance. Tomorrow starts my summer musical theater intensive that I talked about way back when I auditioned for it. As I said then, the musical we will be doing is Godspell, and I am so excited!!! 

Here's what I'll try to do: weekly updates on what's happening in the intensive/camp and on ballet/dance. I am currently taking 4 ballet classes per week, and 1 lyrical class.

This is a real promise! I like blogging a lot, and if anyone cares what my summer life is like, and reads this blog, then they are going to be filled in on a lot. 

Okay, so before I go, I want to talk a little bit about my lyrical class. I am taking an advanced lyrical class with the most stupendarific teacher ever! What I'm really excited about, though, is the little combo that we're working on (not to perform, just for fun), because the music is.....................wait for it.....................still waiting..........................................................................stiiiiiill waitiiiiiiinngg..............Call Me Maybe!!!!!!!!!!! OMIGOODNESS, it's just so fun!!! (Sorry my sudden outburst, if it sounds annoying or dorky :P) We get to be all flirty and cheesy, and our recital performance for beg./inter. lyrical was so serious, almost sad, so it's fun to loosen up for the summer.

Okay, I think that's all for today! I hope you guys enjoyed this post, and look forward to more coming soon!

<3

First Class Back!

Hello everyone! Today I felt like making a (short) post, and I wasn't sure what to post on...and then I remembered that this past week I had my first ballet class at my regular studio since the June recital. So I'm going to post on that.
The class was last Monday, so yes, it has been about a week, but I can still remember it so that's good. Summer classes are always small, but that day it was only me and another girl. Thankfully, our teacher understood that we hadn't had the opportunity to dance for the last couple weeks, so she worked us a slight bit less than a regular class, say, halfway through the school/dance year. But the class was still challenging, and I was very happy to be back. I was sweating a lot by the end, and my calves hurt for the next couple days, but it was, in a way, refreshing.
This next week is my first full week of dance. Usually, I will have two other classes at my regular studio on Tuesday, a lyrical and another ballet, but since Wednesday was the Fourth of July, the studio was closed (and I was camping, so I wouldn't have been able to go anyway). I also am taking some open classes at another place Tuesdays and Thursdays to help maintain all the training I gained over this past year, and maybe gain some, because this schedule is different than my one that I had during the school year.

I hope you enjoyed this post! Just an update post mostly. More posts coming this week, and that won't be a forgotten promise!!! :)

P.S. Still thinking of creating that other blog mentioned in my last post...should I? I might just go ahead and make it.

Update + New Blog?

Hi everyone! I'm sorry about the lack of posting. Dance is done for the year, summer classes haven't started yet, and it's only my second day of summer vacation...but that's exciting because I don't have to go to real school for about 2 months!

I was also thinking about making a new blog, a fashion one. I would continue to post on this one, too, but lately I've been really into fashion and I thought it might be fun to share my style and ideas with....well, whoever reads it.

Comment below and tell me what you think.
Bye for now! :)

Breaking Pointe & Recital

Hey everyone!

Have you heard of the show Breaking Pointe? It's (I think) a reality T.V. show about ballet dancers. I just watched the Pilot on Hulu and I think it was okay. I'll watch a couple more episodes before I decide whether I really like it or not. I just hope it's not 90% about relationships.

Also, Sunday, as I said in previous posts, was my recital! It overall went really well, and I'm sad that the dance is over for the year. I can't wait for summer classes to start. I haven't had a real class in a while since we've been rehearsing for the last 1/2 hour of class the past few months. I hope I can gain more strength for pointe, and doing pointe for the whole class.

Bye! :)

Recital!

Hi everyone! Today is my June recital! I'm REALLY excited!!!

I can't wait to be in front of an audience in full makeup and costume!!! And I will be taking lots of pictures...unfortunately I can't post them because they'll have faces in them, but I'll definitely post about how the whole thing turned out.

The only thing that I'm worried about is a triple pirouette in tap shoes, and my sore throat. But it's dancing, not a musical, so I'll be okay.

Talk to you later! <3


P.S. I LOVE comments! I just want to say, if you have any advice, or would just like to share something, feel free to do so :) But no negative comments, please.

Another Blogger!

Hi guys-

This is just going to be a quick post about another blogger. She is a teen figure skater and aspiring dancer. Hope you check her out!

Skates and Slippers: http://skatesandslippers.blogspot.com/

Bye!

Recital Series: Performance Tips

Hello again! Today in my recital series I will be covering Performance Tips. This is my last post in the series, but I'll continue to post over the summer, I pinky promise!
So let's jump right in!

Tips and Ideas


-Use emotion. If the piece is cheesy and cute, or if you are longing for someone, or are broken hearted, or something else, stay in character! You want to capture the audience's attention from start to finish.
-Be warm. I know I've mentioned this before, but definitely stretch before performances. It'll only make your performance stronger.
-Pointeyourtoesdon'tforgettosmile!Holdyourstomachstretchyourfeetstraightenyourarmsandlegs! You know all those little things that your teacher tells you in class and in rehearsal? This is time when you show it off, so mentally go through a checklist of key things in your head before going on stage.
-Have a ton of fun! Recitals/performances are supposed to be fun, not a burden. Enjoy this moment of the bright lights shining down on you as you show what you've learned this year. When you've worked so hard, why blow it off now? This is the time you amp it up!

I hope these tips were helpful! As I promised I 'll keep you all updated (if anyone actually reads this).
Thanks for reading! :)

Recital Series: MAKEUP!!!

In case you are wondering, I have absolutely zero interest in makeup...that is the worst lie ever. So here it goes: I do enjoy beauty and makeup related things, and so, I am so super excited for this post! :) So without further ado, lets jump right in!

Disclaimer: The ideas or suggestions that I give below are not what you have to do. I am not forcing anyone to do anything! I am just sharing my ideas and what I like to do. Makeup will be different for each dance studio.

Pre-Makeup

At home before I leave for the recital, I like to wash my face and moisturize it. It's important for you face to be clean before you apply makeup because, well, I'm not really sure why, but we're not taking any chances, are we? Oh, fine, I'll Google it.......ok, here we go: it is healthier for your face, and it helps your makeup go on better :) Also, wash your hands too if you plan to do any blending with fingers.

Actual Makeup Time!


Face


1. This first step is optional-face primer. Basically, it helps your face makeup stay on. I'm not using one because I don't own one...so that's why it's optional.

2. Foundation: I would never wear foundation on a day to day basis as a 13 year old, but for stage makeup I do. To apply, I put some on the back of my hand, dot it on my face, and then blend with a foundation brush.

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

3. Using a concealer, I...conceal my under eye dark circles.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

3.
    a. To finish it off, I set the foundation and concelear with a powder. I use a colored powder, but if you want to use translucent, I don't think it makes a big difference.

Covergirl Pressed Powder

4. Finally, to contour I use blush and bronzer. I apply blush from the apples of my cheeks and blend back. Then I use bronzer under my cheek bones, up the temples, and on my jawline to contour and exaggerate my features so they won't be washed out by the stage lights.

NYC Bronzing Powder

NYC Bronzing Powder

Eyes

1. I prime my eyelids before applying eyeshadow. This will help prevent your eyeshadow from collecting in the crease of your eye, and it will help the shadows appear more vibrant.

Urban Decay Primer Potion

2. Apply your eyeshadow! I like to do a dramatic neutral colored smokey eye.

This isn't me, if anyone was wondering :)

Urban Decay Naked Palette

3. Then I apply eyeliner. I use a liquid liner on my upper lash line, then line my water line with pencil eyeliner, basically how it is done in the eyeshadow image above.

4. Lashes time! This is the first year that I am wearing false eyelashes, and I'm kind of excited! After applying the false lashes, I'll use mascara to make sure that they blend in with my real lashes.

Ardell 110 False Eyelashes

Maybelline One by One Mascara

Lips

I've decided not to make separate parts for this section. Basically I just wear red lipstick with maybe a touch of gloss. For one of my teachers wants us to wear a darker lipstick for her piece, but usually we don't have much of a variation.

Rimmel red lipstick

I hope you enjoyed this post! It took me so long to write and upload pictures and such. 

I hope this was helpful. Leave comments if you have any tips for me :)

Thanks for reading!

Recital Series: Arrival and Warming Up

Hello again! Sorry I didn't post yesterday-Tuesdays are my long days at dance. But today I'm moving onto the actual recital portion of this recital series. But before I start, I 'd just like to mention the topics that I am planning to cover before this weekend (when my dress rehearsal and recital are):

1) Arrival & Warming Up - Wednesday
2) Stage Makeup - Thursday
3) Performance Tips - Friday

According to the list above, today I will write on the subject of "Arrival and Warming Up".

Tips and Ideas


-Arrive early! My studio requires us to be an hour early for the performance for prep, but if possible I like to be earlier by, say, 15-30 minutes, because people are already there setting up lights and such. It may be different for various studios, but all in all, be as early as possible. If anything, you don't want to be rushed.
-Be organized! When you have a lot of stuff backstage, you don't want to start out with everything strewn everywhere. Also, know where all your costumes are. The worst time to not know where a costume is, is when you have a fast change. That is, if you have multiple performances. Otherwise, you don't have to worry about quick changes. 
-Warm up! Having a great costume, and perfect makeup may be gorgeous on the stage, but if you're not properly warmed up, the performance won't be as spot on. You can plan out a warm up routine, or just mentally think of what are place that should be warm in order to perform to the greatest extent. 

I hope this was helpful! New post coming tomorrow, I promise :)
Thanks for reading!

Recital Series: Dress Rehearsal

Hi everyone! Long time no...post? So today I'm going to start my recital series. I know that quite a few have probably already had their recitals/demonstrations/performances, and mine is this weekend, but to those who still has theirs coming up, I'm going to start posting some (hopefully!) helpful advice about getting ready, and perhaps the day of recital.

My first topic that I am going to cover is the dress rehearsal. I don't know what it is like for every dance studio, but since my recital is this Sunday, my dance studio has a dress rehearsal on Saturday. The full thing spans over 7 hours, but the dancers don't have to be there the whole time, just whenever your 10 minute rehearsal time(s) on the stage are.


Tips and Ideas

-The dress rehearsal is a great time to make sure that you have everything you need for the real performance. So if you forget something, or realize you need another thing, you have time to make sure that you can get whatever you need by the performance.
-When rehearsing a piece onstage, be sure you are doing everything to the fullest extent that you would in the real thing. If you don't, you may not have a good grasp on how it will be when the real thing rolls around. If you are relying on the mirror in your dance studio, or your instructor's cues for a move, to complete an excellent performance, then doing it alone (without the cues or mirror, I mean) will be difficult. 
-Ask questions. If there is any doubt about anything, do not hesitate to ask or clarify. Being overly prepared is better than trying to convince yourself that you probably have it, while doubt still resides in the back of your mind.

I hope this helps! I'll continue to post everyday hopefully, but I'm not quite sure how many topics I want to cover yet.
Comment if you have any advice, or questions.
Thanks for reading!

Update and Nail Polish!

Hello! This will be a sort of update, and I want to talk about some nail polish! 

Okay, update first: I haven't been posting much lately because...I don't have a lot to post on. I might do a recital series in June, or late May, consisting of stage makeup, warm-ups, etc...if there is anything else I should have, comment down below :)

Now, nail polish! On Instagram, I stumbled upon a picture that I accidentally clicked-well, tapped-on. It happened to be a giveaway, and I noticed right away that there nail polishes in it by OPI, and it was an NYCB* collection! I'll post a blog post I found about them...if you don't care to read it, basically all the colors are pretty sheer, but they have cute names, as usual.

http://www.lucysstash.com/2012/04/opi-new-york-city-ballet-collection.html

I don't know if they are still available, but I want to try to get my hands on them for the dance aspect of them. If I do, I might post pictures :)

I'll try to post more often, if I can think of anything to post on! Bye!

Swan Lake Rehearsal

I found this video on YouTube about (I think) the Royal Ballet rehearsing a part in Act III of Swan Lake. I think it's really interesting to see the thought process of the choreographer, and to see the dancing without the glitz of the costumes, though that is always interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRu2RQwBPic&feature=endscreen&NR=1

Bye!

Wicked

...it was the best experience ever...it's really hard to describe...just go see it...unless you hate musical theater...which I just don't see how that's possible...so anyway, if you really want a full review, I'll do one...but it's hard to put it into words...don't judge the Wicked Witch of the West UNTIL you see Wicked...ok, I must go.

Bye! :)

Portland Trip!

Yep, I'm in Portland! Once a year my family takes a weekend off and drives to Portland...the staying in the car for three straight hours isn't fun, but I like staying in a hotel, and going to new places with good food or things to do. Plus, I get to experience my birthday present, finally, here in Portland. Tonight, I'M SEEING WICKED!!! I may love ballet, but I also love musical theater...I sort of get the best of both worlds now, dancing afternoons in the school year, and then doing a musical theater intensive in the summer, where we put on a really fun show...I've already blogged about it a lot...you know, Godspell. But back to the best of both worlds thing, I'm glad that I don't have to choose what I want to pursue for my future yet, because I need these next five years to figure that out.

I'll keep updating on Portland, and I'll dedicate a post to Wicked (AKDJGLKEJGLDKNLDKAVLKJG!!!!!!!!!!!!!) explaining how amazing I already know it'll be :) 

Update + Swan Lake + Hunger Games

Hi everyone! I'm already punishing myself for not posting...but I don't really know what to post about. I also have been pretty busy with homework, essays, dance, and voice lessons homework.

Ok, onto more interesting things! So, it has been informed of me by a fellow blogger that our big ballet company is doing SWAN LAKE NEXT SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last year, for our June recital, one of my ballet classes did a part of Swan Lake, and we had really pretty tutus...and it was so fun!!! I can't wait to see the full thing now!!! Also, I saw the Black Swan Pas de Deux at a performance that incorporated other bits of ballets, and it was so dramatic and pretty!!! And to top it off, we got to see it backstage, which was AMAZING!!!!!

Also, The Hunger Games movie is coming out soon! I can't wait! I really loved the first book, but as I continued to read the rest, I didn't quite enjoy them as much (SSSHHHHH, don't tell!).
I also found this website online that got a little thing written by Suzanne Collins who said she was pleased with the movie, which is a good sign. It also mentions that it is a bit different from the book, showing different points of view (or something like that), but I'm staying positive, and thinking that the new aspects will contribute very well to the film.

Here is the link:
http://mockingjay.net/2012/03/01/suzanne-collins-really-happy-with-the-hunger-games-movie/

Ok, I have to get dressed for school now!
I shall try to blog more :-) Bye!

Hi Again!

Hey guys,

Sorry I haven't been posting in a while! I don't have ton to post on...so are there any posts you want to see? Like topics? Please comment :-)

I would now like to talk about Ellen Degeneres. She is very funny, and so incredibly kind. There are other reasons that she is an amazing person, but I don't want a ton of hate or anything like that...anyway, her show has a YouTube channel, and I love watching it and have subscribed to that through my e-mail account. Because of ballet I miss it when it is on, so the clips are really fun to watch. I shall link the channel right here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheEllenShow

Oh, one more thing: I am a teenager! Finally! Okay...bye!!!

Ballet Audition Follow Up

Hi guys...if anyone was curious, I didn't get into the ballet intensive. But whatever...I'm already doing Godspell so it's okay.
Plus, the auditions were international, so people literally travel from different places just to audition.

Okay...that's about it...bye!

Cast List is OUT!!!

The Godspell cast list is out! I'm really excited. This post has to be really quick, so I just want to say that I do have one solo, and if you're interested (and because I'm excited) I'll link it below. Bye!

Learn Your Lessons Well (I'm only doing the first part that ends at 0:40)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U_TFiEwMVQ&feature=fvst

P.S. Sorry about not posting about the callback...is anyone still interested? Comment below.

Ballet Audition

Yes, as the title indicates, I did I a summer ballet intensive audition today. I was pretty confidant, but got more nervous when we were in the studio. There were about 80 people (some boys, but mostly girls) there, and I felt intimidated by how good some of the girls were. Barre went fine though. The only odd thing was, at our studio, we start with both hands off the barre for preparation, but I guess at that certain school, that's not how they do it, because many people started with one hand on the barre. That tripped me up for preparations, but otherwise it was fine.

Then onto center, for some reason my leg wouldn't hold up in the center when we did adagio, so it actually lowered enough so my foot touched the ground. It was frustrating because I knew I could do it, I was just so nervous that I had a hard time keeping my balance. Grrrr... But the other leg I did fine.

Across the floor was a bit odd. I don't know if it was because of our amount of time, but we would only do one side...odd. But whatever, that's OK. Then, we were instructed to put on our pointe shoes. We were told that if we hadn't done something in our other classes, we don't have to do it at the audition. I followed that rule and didn't do pique turns. That turned out to be very awkward on my part, because everyone else did the piques. So after everyone finished, there were a little less than 80 people on one side of the room (the boys didn't do them) and me on the other side. I felt like everyone was staring at me, but that was probably not true.

Last but not least, we have to wait up to 2 1/2 weeks to know. I want to know, but I already know that I'm doing the musical theater program this summer, so it's not an option for me, unless I drop out of Godspell.

Anyway, I'd like to hear from you: what do you do to make your auditions the best they can be? I'll post tomorrow about my musical theater callback. Bye!

So Sorry!

Hello everyone! Sorry for the recent lack of posts, but I am getting back on it!

First off, I want to say I GOT INTO GODSPELL!!! Yessssss....I'm really excited, and this summer is going to be so fun! Hey, people out there who are reading my blog (which hopefully you are!) and are people I know, meaning that we live in the same place...please come to the play, I'd love to see some familiar faces! Oh, and on the Day By Day video I linked in my other post devoted to Godspell and my audition, I say a lot of mean comments calling the people hippies and such, and I would just like to say that this program I am in is not a religious program, and no one in it is really religious. We are doing this play for it's upbeat music, and fun acting, and because our director really likes it (there may be other reasons, but they are not coming to mind). My point is, we actors are not hippies, we are just...actors portraying characters in a very popular musical that was a hit with a wide audience of people.

OK, I really wanted to post more, but I have to sign off. See you guys later! Oh, and A.C. (you know who you are :P) stop worrying about tomorrow; you'll do awesome!!!

Oh, Depressing...

In response to thelifeofayoungdancer, I am going to make a list of things that make me sad...sorry if you find this depressing.

1. Watching an 8 year old do the BLACK SWAN (!!!) pas de deux, and feeling stupid because I can't do a double pirouette en pointe when I'm almost a teenager. 

2. Not being able to do a single pirouette en pointe.

3. Being scared of triples on flat.

4. Feeling sorry for a little girl en pointe on YouTube, and then she does 32 freaking fouettes. 

5. Not being able to know the follow up on my musical theater audition because of the weather (except I love snow).

6. My terrible upper-body strength.

7. Hating push-ups.

8. A lot of my friends going to private schools, but we can't afford it.

9. The fact that all those friends have the possibility of going to private high schools too.

10. Listening to everyone talk about different ballet choreographers, and dancers, and secretly wishing I knew all that too. 

11. Wanting to somehow do both a ballet intensive and the musical theater Conservatory in the summer.

12. Feeling bad because I somehow don't miss dance that much...but then thinking about how much pointe training I'm missing and feeling sad.

13. Non-archy feet.

14. Not having a growth spurt.

15. Feeling self-concious of my body.

16. Seeing girls my age in ballets, and knowing that I could really do that, but I can't prove it.

So exhausted...

Haha, gotcha! I am actually not tired. Because I had no school today! ...Well, actually, I did have school, but do you think that "2 classes+lunch= a full school day"? Yeah, last night, we were informed that there was a delay, two hours late to school. But halfway through science (my third period), our teacher announced we had two hour early dismissal. People are having a lot of snow up north, and it is estimated we will get a lot of snow tonight/tomorrow, so I guess everyone wanted to take precautions. 

But we still have to make up today in the summer because we have to be in school for four hours for it to count as a full school day...ack. So why didn't we just not go to school today? We'd still have to make that day up.

Well.............................................................................................yeah, I've got nothing. That pretty much sums up today. Oh, also we don't have dance today, people! (You know who you are) Credits to thelifeofayoungdancer who informed me of this happening. See you guys later!

Grr...the suspense is killing me!

I had an audition for a musical called Godspell yesterday, and I was nervous, but now I have to wait for up to TWO WHOLE DAYS until I know whether or not I got a callback. The odd thing is, if I don't (or if anyone who auditioned doesn't) get a callback, they/I/we might still be in the show.

HUH????


Well, the director or the show said that he and some others who will help with casting may decide that a certain part is right for a certain person, therefor they don't have to go to the callbacks because no more needs to be shown from them.

But the point of this whole post is to say......ARRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!! I HATE SUSPENSE!!!!!!!!!

Here are some songs from Godspell that I really enjoy:

Day By Day (I know it's extremely repetitive, but it's a good song, and the acting they do is fun)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfFdGbdlyzI

By My Side
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3FJ10qsUNE

Don't Rain On My Parade (Barbara Streisand--Okay, yes this song isn't from Godspell, but I found it again while searching YouTube. The Glee version is pretty good too)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_g3kkGH8Mo&feature=fvwrel

Grrrr...

It stopped snowing! But there is still snow on the ground! Plus, the forecast says that it is supposed to snow for the next couple days!!!!

Wait a minute--it SNOWING AGAIN!!! Yippee for snow!

Omigoodness!!!!!!!!

SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is currently SNOWING!!!!

thelifeofayoungdancer....WAKE. UP. AND. GREET. THE. SNOW!!!! 

SNOW!!!! I'M SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!

AHHHHH!!!!!! SNOOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry!

Sorry that I haven't been posting lately... truthfully I haven't had much to post about.

But last week, another girl and I asked our teacher about what we should do to work for center on pointe, and our teacher said that we should just try it, bit by bit. So today I'm excited because of that (but kinda nervous... what if I fall on my face?), but unfortunately I have to get through school first and recite the first Amendment... >:(

Well, I have to go and eat breakfast... yes, I am posting in the morning. :-)

Marcel the Shell!

Okay, so in tap today I mentioned Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, and next to nobody who he was!!! (Yes, he's a he...he doesn't seem like a he, but not really a she either...so yeeaahh) Anyway, I would like to educate all you guys who haven't been exposed to the absolute cuteness. I will link part 1 and 2.

See you guys in dance!
P.S. After watching the videos, if you'd like, leave your favorite parts as comments, (you can see a couple of my favorite parts below) I'd love to read them! <3

LINKS:
Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (original):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9-sEbqDvU
Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (part 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta9K22D0o5Q

Couple of my favorite parts:  (spoiler alert!!!!)

"Eeeeaaahhh...*breaths heavily* uh, read on!!"
"May I have drip of water?"
"Treats and snoozin', snoozin' and treats."
"Oh, god. I can smell his face."
"Hullo, this is me."
"My name is Marshell...uh--oh no, that's not the first time I've done that."
"I invited some friends from Upstate to eat salad."
"His name is Alan."
"We won't fight unless we're provoked."

Wednesday...eh

You know how I said in the last post that Wednesdays were one of my favorite days of the week? Well, today wasn't the best of what it could've been.
First, all through ballet I was constantly being annoyed with my left foot because a certain little toe decided to poke it's sharp toenail into it's neighbor, which resulted in a flap of skin being let loose and an uncomfortable barre for about an hour :(.
Next, after a half-hour break, I managed to get rid of the sharp toenail (not the whole thing, just the sharp part) and beginning pointe class was more comfortable. In case you haven't guessed, I am a beginner on pointe and am in my 4th (?) month. The slightly disappointing thing was that I thought that I was doing pretty well for just have coming back from break, but apparently none of us were, according to our teacher. So we did some floor strengthening for our legs...I think...and then went back to the barre to practice bourees (however it-or any of the following words-is spelled), passes, and soutenus in center (really complicated, I know :D)
Finally, my dance time ended with an hour and 1/2 of tap, which, to be quite honest, I'm not as into it as I was in the past year or so. This is not  because our teacher, who is really fun an amazing, just tap isn't really my thing anymore. This whole not-excited-ness thing may also be because I just basically danced since 3:30, so I'm tired by the time tap comes around.

Anyway, I really should be doing some homework, so I'm going to sign off now...bye!

...and we're back!

(Written yesterday, posted today)

Yep, we're all back into the swing of things. Today was the first day back at school, and the first day day back at dance! It's nice to be back since I did little exercising over break. Ballet was okay, just an average class. 

Contemporary was interesting tonight. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe we started our June recital piece and it involves chairs! It's cool, but kinda hurts to maneuver around. But there is a cool ponche involved, and we get to jump over the chair, so hopefully more cool stuff like that will happen! :-)

Excited to see everyone tomorrow, and I have to agree with thelifeofayoungdancer.blogspot.com, Wednesdays are definitely one of my favorite days of the week!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Hope everyone's New Year went well and that you had a good time!

More interesting, dance-related posts coming soon!