Blog #1

Work is a hard word to define, itself. Out of desperation, I searched the word on dictionary.com and found this: work is the exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something. Using this definition, what then constitutes "work" in ballet class? In my opinion, it seems necessary that each ballet dancer or pupil in class works to achieve a goal; a personal goal or one given to that pupil from another source. One must strive to excel in the ballet technique or have the desire to exceed boundaries in order to become a more accomplished and knowledgeable ballet dancer. With this work, it seems almost necessary that one experiences challenges that should be met. For example, it may be a goal of one ballet dancer to nail a double pirouette by the end of the quarter. Although this may be challenging to the dancer, they must continue to practice, or work, on the technique necessary to accomplish that double pirouette. For me, personally, "work" in ballet is different than in other dance forms, mostly because my body is not particularly comfortable with the ballet genre. Not only do I hold different goals in the ballet technique than I do in other dance forms, but I also approach those goals, or "work" with those goals, in a different way because I am forced to focus on different body parts or a different technique, in general. My mentality and work ethic change based on how comfortable I feel with the movement. I must "work" harder in ballet class in order to become more familiar with the ballet genre and to achieve what is expected of us in class.