Whether we like it or not, everyone gets a label. Whether you're Johnny, that kid who plays baseball or David, that kid that plays guitar, or Josh, that boy who does theatre, your label usually has something to do with your hobbies or passions. My label? I guess you could label me as that ballet girl. That kid who got hit in the eye in the first grade during a t-ball game because she was too busy rehearsing a recital number to realize a ball was headed straight for her. That girl who'd rather do fouettes at a school dance than grind on some boy. That girl who was late to that same school dance with her hair in a bun and tights underneath her dress because she had rehearsal before the dance. That girl who you can't hang out with on Saturday because she has ballet class. Wanna go to the mall on Friday with that girl? You can't, because it's Nutcracker season and she'll be in rehearsal all night. What about Thursday? She has dance then, too. Wednesday? Nah, she helps out with the younger dancer's classes on Wednesdays. Gotta get those community service hours! Tuesday? Tuesday is ballet day. Monday? Is that even a question? Maybe hang out with her during lunch? Possibly, except she might be having an emergency rehearsal for the school musical in the auditorium with her dancers during lunch. Hi, my name is Becca, and I am that ballet girl. When I tell people I am a ballet dancer, there are 10 options for a response people will give me:
So you don't eat, right? Can you do a split? I saw The Nutcracker once. It was kinda boring; I didn't know they didn't talk in it! I did ballet as a kid. It was so boring, so my mom let me quit and do gymnastics instead. Are all the boys gay? Ugh, I hate how my studio makes us take ballet. Modern is SO much cooler. *puts arms over head and spins in circle* Have you seen The Nutcracker? Have you been in The Nutcracker? I saw Misty Copeland in a commercial once. While those responses can usually be answered with a simple roll of the eyes, my favorite question to get is, "why?". Usually, I brush off the question and tell people I just love it, but the reason I am Becca, that ballet girl is so much deeper than that. Ballet has had the most positive influence on my life. It has given me discipline, structure, grace (mom, if you're reading this, please don't comment on how I'm constantly walking into things around the house), a good work ethic, focus, ambition, friendships, passion, and beauty. Ballet is a such a beautiful thing itself. Think about it; ballet doesn't even need words to tell a story. It's literally bringing a story to life just through movement and stagecraft! There is no better feeling than the high you get from dancing on the tips of your toes on stage in front of a sold out audience. There is no better way to clear your head than to do barre exercises and focus on your technique. Ballet is my entire life, from the time I spend in the studio and on stage to the work ethic I learned in ballet class that I apply to school and my job to the times I start grande jete-ing across my backyard just for the hell of it. Without ballet, I wouldn't be the person I am today. Hi, my name is Becca. I am that ballet girl, and this is my blog.
2 Comments
Mary
7/3/2016 11:52:27 pm
Never stop dancing ❤️
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Shaz
7/4/2016 07:58:45 am
You are obviously "that writer girl" as well. Keep going, girl, I can't wait to read more! 💗
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September 2020
Offline Updates7/16 Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the showcase I was selected to choreograph for at NYU was unfortunately cancelled. However, I was able to turn my work into a mini-documentary about the choreographic process and art prevailing during these trying times. You can watch my video my clicking the button below!
9/18 Follow my new Instagram just for my dance things!
12/23 I was one of NDEO's Guest Bloggers this year! Read "Teaching is a Vocation. Not a Fallback" on their Behind the Curtain Blog!
9/27 I will be presenting my research at the National Dance Education Organization National Conference next week! See my research project by clicking the button below!
4/15 While working on PMA's production of The Addams Family, I got to combine my two favorite styles of dance (ballet and musical theatre) for "The Moon and Me"! Watch my talented students dance by clicking the button below!
2/20 I am choreographing PMA Theatre Guild's Production of The Addams Family! Come see these amazing high school students perform at Presentation of Mary Academy in Methuen, MA April 13 & 14! Tickets available at the door.
2/20 I am stage managing BSU's Dance Kaleidoscope this year! Show dates are March 29-31 at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA. Come see this student choreography showcase!
11/5 I will once again be dancing in a BSUDC concert! Tickets to WinterDance are now available!
8/24 NDEO's National Honor Society for Dance Arts has published one of my articles in their newsletter! Read an updated version of "Audition Advice" here:
5/16 Interested in learning about movement concepts? Visit Becca's new Educational Dance website!
5/8 BSU Dance Company's Dance Kaleidoscope 2017 is now on Youtube! You can watch my performances by visiting the VIDEOS page!
4/23 I recently performed for the residents of Allerton House in Hingham, MA! You can watch part of my performance here!
Amesbury Children's Theatre presents...James and the Giant Peach Jr, featuring choreography by me! Click for tickets!
2/8 My piece "Barefoot" is now available to watch online! Click to watch!
2/5 Happy to say I have been cast in BSU Dance Company's Spring concert Dance Kaleidoscope! I will be dancing in 3 faculty choreographed pieces, including excerpts from The Sleeping Beauty in which I will be dancing the role of Lilac Fairy! Show dates are March 31-April 1 at Bridgewater State University.
Click the button for more info! 1/15 Ballet with Becca is now on Facebook! Click to visit the page, and be sure to like it while you're there!
1/14 I am happy to say I will be attending artEmotion's summer intensive in June! I will be dancing in the one week artEmotion Adult Program. If anyone would like to join or audition for any other artEmotion program, visit their website!
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