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Posts Tagged ‘Ballet’

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Back to Ballet, Back to the Studio

In our younger years as ballerinas, we went through our arabesques and pas de deux like these movements were as natural as walking and running.  Yes, we were flexible, graceful and beautiful in more ways than one while in our tutus and point shoes performing in a theater stage filled with a sophisticated audience.  However, we must all face the reality that we age – our joints and muscles become stiffer, our physical endurance becomes shorter and our lives become busier with concerns other than ballet.  We slowly become more focused on family and friends and on earning a living.

But there comes a point in time that we desire to return to the folds of ballet.  We have many reasons for doing so – as a form of exercise, as way to improve confidence away from the dance studio, as a form of socialization with people in the same age bracket and even as a way to actually walk down memory lane.  Or, it could be a mix of all these reasons.  Whatever the reason for coming back into ballet, one thing remains clear – it must be done with a clear purpose, a clear expectation and a clear enjoyment.  Doubts will enter your head, of course, but these are normal and should be coped with as best as possible if the purpose for a ballet homecoming is to be achieved and achieved well.

A clear purpose is necessary so that the right kind of ballet classes can be enrolled in.  If your purpose is ballet as a form of exercise, then intermediate dance classes are most appropriate. These classes straddle the line between beginner classes, which you already know the movements to, and advanced classes where the physical demands are greater.  If your purpose is to make a comeback on the stage, then advanced classes are the way to go.  Basically, your purpose will boil down to age, physical condition and available time.  For example, if you have been away from ballet for many years, you liekly cannot expect to make a successful comeback to the stage in 1 year.

Clear expectations must also be set.  When we say clear, we mean specific, realistic and time-bound expectations that you have set for yourself before enrolling in the ballet classes or joining the ballet group.  Be specific about what part of your body and repertoire you want to develop.  Be realistic about the goals set for yourself so that you can be motivated to pursue higher goals with each achievement.  Be sure to set a time for the achievement of your goals.

Last but not least, you should be clearly enjoying yourself.  Plans, goals and expectations are all well and good but when one becomes miserable when following them, it is probably better to discard them in favor of enjoyment.  Keep in mind that ballet as dance requires strict discipline, but passion sustains it.  So, enjoy the dance classes, enjoy the company and enjoy the movements.  It will be like coming back home to ballet – your dance home.

We caught up with Paloma Herrera, one of the principal dancers of American Ballet Theatre. Hear what she had to share about being with American Ballet Theatre and her tips for aspiring ballerinas. American Ballet Theatre will be performing Giselle at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, CA, November 3 – 8, 2009 in Segerstrom Hall. Tickets are on sale now at www.ocpac.org.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Cuba Attractions ? Alicia Alonso’s Ballet Company

The National Ballet of Cuba is one of the most prestigious dancing companies in the world. It was founded in 1948 under Alicia Alonso, its main creator and the first figure of the company. In 1950, the Alicia Alonso National School of Ballet was added to the professional company. From the very beginning, the artistic line followed was based on the respect for the romantic and classical traditions, stimulating at the same time the creative works of choreographers that wanted to look for the national and contemporary creation in their dances.

With the Revolution of 1959, the company was reorganized and became the National Ballet of Cuba, and Alicia Alonso became the leading figure and main promoter of dancing in Cuba. Already in 1964, other ballet dancers began to stand out, especially a group that with time was known as “the four jewels of Cuban Ballet” (Loipa Araujo, Aurora Bosh, Josefina Méndez, and Mirta Plá) who participated in the Varna International Ballet Contest in Bulgaria. From that moment on, the international critics began to talk about “the Cuban ballet school”. Towards 1971, an important group of male dancers emerged, with Jorge Esquivel its leading figure; which, with the passing of time, has allowed the consolidation of a company and a school that has proven to be one of the few schools able to compete with the Russian, French, and English schools.

Each year, during the fall, the National Ballet of Cuba organizes the International Ballet Festival of Havana (with performances in different parts of the island) where ballet dancers, choreographers and companies from all over the globe participate, turning Havana City into the mecca of classical dancing for a few days. The tireless efforts of Alicia Alonso and the permanent support from the cultural institutions have made it possible that today the National Ballet of Cuba shows with pride its very talented dancers capable of assuming an impressive repertoire that combines the most famous classical performances with the new trends. 

For Cubans, ballet is part of their culture and it becomes harder and harder to get tickets for the performances of the company with time. The personality of Alicia Alonso is always remembered because her hands and orientations are ever present.  She has created almost all the classical and contemporary choreographies of the National Ballet and also the most popular adaptations of The Swan Lake, Giselle, The Nutcracker, and Carmen, just to mention a few. The National Ballet has also had world premieres of performances like Don Quixote choreographed by Alicia herself.

If you are travelling to Havana City, stop for a minute at the baroque Great Theater of Havana, check out the publicity board, and enter to one of the performances of the NBC; performances that almost all the time are crowded, always virtuous and unforgettable. It is almost impossible not to be moved by the love drama of the country girl Giselle; or by the presence of the personified kindness which is harboured in Odette, the enchanted princess turned into a swan. How can a person not be impressed with the demonic character of Odile? How can a person not enjoy with the childish mischiefs of Suanilda or the gracefulness of Kitri and Basil?  All these happen because the magic of the “Alicia’s Ballet” exerts an inevitable attraction.

An introduction to Bossov Ballet Theatre on the Maine Central Institute campus in Pittsfield, Maine. Bossov Ballet: Where classical ballet lives! Part 1 of 2
Video Rating: 4 / 5

A Short History of Ballet and Guitar

A Ballet is a type of simple dance and it is an attraction for its simplicity and beautiful presentation. The dancers don’t use words, not even a whisper and the message is conveyed through body movements, face expressions and gestures. On the other hand, guitar is a musical instrument consisting of a number of strings tied to its wooden frame. Guitar’s origin comes from Spain believed to be invented by Malaga people.

The word “ballet” is derived from French and was borrowed into English around the 17th century. All of the body parts and facial expression are used by Ballet dancers as mediums of communicating with the audience. Guitar was not very popular in its early years and it struggled to favor by the end of 19th century.

The guitar was never respected during the Renaissance period and it was not a serious instrument. On the other hand, dancing has always been a medium for men and women to express their feelings throughout the history. Dancing is often performed during festivals when everyone is celebrating and Ballet as a form of dancing was not very different.

France is historically connected with ballet and it is recognized as the place where ballet truly developed as an art. The guitars of the early times were very small strung with four pair of strings but later it was redesigned and the size increased along with the improvement in sound and volume. The ballet dancers of the early times were not highly skilled as they are now. The French ballet dancers were usually known for their skills and they started giving public performance in theaters.

Ballet began as a form of entertainment for the Italian Renaissance court with the aim to please their King or Queen. The dancers were noble men and women. When guitar was revived by Francisco Tarrega, he started performing in public and he also wrote lessons on guitar teachings and started the tradition of playing with fingernails. Many guitarists like Segovia were influenced by him.

There are academies present for training of ballet and guitar lessons. Many societies and magazines are dedicated to the guitar and there are many guitar concerts nowadays. While a lot of young men and women join them and only extensive training in dance academies and ballet schools teach ballet skills. As time has passed, new dancing skills have developed and dressing styles have also changed as the modern ballet has flourished.

Nowadays, guitar and ballet have their own importance. The ballet dance appeals globally and the ballet dancers had spead the techniques they have taught to other countries while also establishing schools and dance academies in United States and Russia.

Ashton – The Dream / Ethan Stiefel, Alessandra Ferri, Herman Cornejo, American Ballet Theater

To celebrate the centennial of his birth, DANCE IN AMERICA presents American Ballet Theatre’s acclaimed staging of Sir Frederick Ashton’s magical ballet. Stars Ethan Stiefel, Alessandra Ferri, and Herman Cornejo.

Rating: (out of 9 reviews)

List Price: $ 29.99

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Ooh La La Ballet Theatre, a Montreal based company, is filled with talent, dance, creativity, catchy music and both men and women on point dancing to today’s hits. A must see!!!
Video Rating: 4 / 5

The Nutcracker Ballet: A Book, Theater, and Paper Doll Fold-out Play Set (Foldout Play Set) (Christmas, Activity Book) (Foldout Playset)

• ISBN13: 9781593598853
• Condition: New
• Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

The classic story of the Nutcracker comes to life with this book, theater, and paper doll play set. Read along in the storybook as your paper doll characters (more than 35 of them!) dance their way through three different foldout stages – Clara’s living room, the Enchanted Forest, and the Land of Sweets. Place the dolls and storybook in the handy storage envelopes for safekeeping until the next performance! Fun for all ages! Measures 9-3/4” x 10-1/4” high. Includes 24-page book. Elastic band c

Rating: (out of 6 reviews)

List Price: $ 14.99

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