Different Mind Set

When I first started ballet when I was seven it wasn't because I wanted to or because I begged my mom to sign me up for classes like most little kids. It was a requirement. In order to be in the preforming group at my studio we had to meet a requirement of at least one ballet, one jazz and one elective class a week. As I grew older the requirements changed from one ballet class a week to two and then two to three. It wasn't until I was in high school that I actually enjoyed going to ballet class. I knew that it was important for good technique, I had heard that from every teacher that had ever came to my studio.

I always loved tap and jazz and hip-hop but ballet was always just a requirement that I needed to fill in order for me to continue to train, perform and compete in the styles that I loved. As I approached my senior year and was auditioning for different college dance programs I realized that the styles that I took at my dance studio were not the type of classes that I would be focusing on if I decided to peruse dance in college. After auditioning for programs with a strong modern focus I realized how different it was going to be and that I had to go into school with an open mind. I had never taken modern before so I knew it was going to be a big adjustment and it still is. I am used to all of my movements being set and precise and having reason behind them but in modern it is all interpretive and free flowing. I think because of this difference in styles I have began to like and appreciate ballet even more. After getting into a routine with my first quarter semester I realized that I was only taking two technique classes and was dying to take more. When faced with the option of classes I was eager to take another ballet class to continue to work on my technique and become stronger in order for my foundation to be solid so that I could build on that in my modern class.

When I called my mom to tell her I was taking an extra ballet class she was surprised because she knew that it had not always been my favorite. I have a different appreciation for ballet and when I am in class I am in a different mind set then I used to be. Instead of thinking that I am just in class to fill a requirement, I know that I am in class because I want to be, in order to get better and keep up my technique to become a better and stronger dancer.