Tag Archives: first position

fade into night

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DSC_9579DSC_9650The first time Chris and I met, we were on, in, and around the Rhode Island State House, passing through its archways and clambering up and down those majestic marble stairs.  This time, we moved away to admire the iconic building from a new perspective.Image-1
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Instead of a grey Saturday morning downtown, Chris and I decided to meet on a balmy Tuesday evening at the top of Congdon Street.   Lined with pretty little trees and historic old homes, Prospect Park perches high on the hill, where it overlooks the skyline through a wrought iron fence.  There’s an aura of peace in the tiny park, as couples huddle onto benches pressing their noses together, college students sketch their surroundings, a lone yogi sits in sukhasana.  Providence shows off to the beat of the setting sun.  This city wears amber well.

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The ombré design of this Intermezzo leotard could not have complimented the sky more perfectly that night.  It’s delicate grey dip-dye echoes our old marble friend as it reflects the sky’s twilight performance.
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Every dancer loves a good pinch in their leo, and this beauty has two: one in the front and one in the back.  Its sleek cut pulls in a bit at the waist, and the tightly knit lycra keeps a strong hold, creating an overall slimming effect.  I prefer my leotards snug this way (I felt totally supported by the full lining), but if you are into a looser feel, I would recommend sizing up.

In music, an intermezzo is a piece which fits between two other, more dramatic, entities.  Like the golden hour of sunset linking day to night, this leotard marries dark and light with its elegant subtle fade.

Intermezzo leotard, c/o firstposition.com

photos of me by Christopher Emerson, photo of the skyline by me.

back in the studio…kind of

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afterlight

Last week my shoes touched marley floor for the first time in almost 4 months.

When a student from FBPSchool asked me to help out with her audition video, I will admit, I was hesitant.  Back in the studio?  Creating combinations with my hands that my body cannot yet execute?  Watching someone else hold the barre while I press play?  Waves of doubt surged over me.  But it seemed the only way out was in through the studio.  So I put on some big girl shoes and agreed to meet her around noon.

The instant my shoes touched that gummy black floor at 12:01 I knew I had made the right decision.  A familiar electricity flowed through me, expanding itself into every inch of me.  Finally, I felt calm.  About 3 hours of outtakes, remote fussing, dead camera batteries, musical mistakes, and rogue pointe shoe ribbons later, we were finished.  And I felt really good.

There is a certain high that comes with once again feeling thisclose to ballet.

Do you know what I mean?

when ballet became trendy

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To quote a friend’s recent Facebook status, “Ballet is sooooo IN right now”.

Last night, the CW’s newest reality series “Breaking Pointe” (which chronicles the unconventional lives of the dancers of Utah’s Ballet West) premiered, and I have to admit I kind of loved it.  I did not have very high hopes for the show- lumping the distinguished art of ballet in with the likes of Snooki and Teen Mom?  yuck!- but was pleasantly surprised by the overall realness and lack of dramatization.

“Breaking Pointe” is especially interesting for me, because while competing in the Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition finals during my junior year of high school, I was offered a traineeship with the very company being featured on the show!  I also worked closely with Ballet West’s artistic director, Adam Sklute, at the intimate Jacob’s Pillow summer intensive in 2010…the ballet world is so very small!

Speeeeeaking of Youth America Grand Prix, has anyone heard about the newly released documentary following 6 young dancers as they compete in the world’s largest international ballet competition?  Well needless to say, as a former competitor, I was extremely excited to see the film.  And when I did, the funniest thing happened: on the screen was footage of the featured dancers preparing to take the stage in the final round, but coming through the speakers and filling my ears was the sound of my own voice!  Back in 2009 when the documentary was being filmed (and I was in NYC competing alongside all of the amazing dancers seen in the movie), a cameraman pulled my friend and I aside for a quick interview- a 5 minute questionare I assumed would never resurface.  But to my shock, there was the voice of my 16-year-old self, loud and clear, speaking about typical ballet misconceptions:

“People think that football players and lacrosse players are the ones with the injuries.  In ballet, we are getting injuried every day.”

Amen.  Words of wisdom spoken well, if I may say so myself (proud accomplishment for me, what with my serious fear of both live and on-camera public speaking).  If you haven’t seen the documentary yet, go check it out!  And watch listen for my special (vocal) appearance!

…and just for fun here’s a photo of my friend, Kristi, and I just before doing the interview: