Personal Narrative: New York City Ballet

Since I was three years old, dance has been a passion of mine. Throughout elementary school, I tried many other activities, however, I never enjoyed anything as much as I enjoyed dance. In my fourteen years of dancing, I have learned to work with a team and to use constructive criticism in a positive way. Also, I have learned that hard work leads to performance.

I came into my audition only auditioning for the ensemble, leaving the audition I ended up receiving the titular role of Pippin. There was also a dance audition, where we were asked to learn the choreography to All that Jazz from the musical Chicago, this was a challenging experience because I have had no professional dance training but I ended up doing very well and responding well to the choreographer and her teachings. This whole process helped me to develop my confidence and social skills. The auditions were the most like professional auditions I’ve ever attended, and therefore allowed me to better understand what the real musical theatre industry is like and give me a taste of what it would be like if I continued onto large productions. I was very lucky to receive the lead role, as I didn’t even audition for it, despite not seeing this at the time. There was a long break between auditions and the beginning of rehearsals, almost three weeks. This seemed like a very long period of time due to not being able to tell any of my fellow cast mates that I had received a

The auditions were in January of 2012. I did not know of the results of my performance, and neither did Mr. Carter. I began to put it off until for the rest of the day. I really did not know what to think. I believed that it was a successful audition, but my doubts had come into play, and the thought of it all started to just make me nervous. I mean, how could a child, who knew little about music, possibly accomplish such a

The production process for “The Audition” was unlike any other show I’ve been a part of. The scenes were rehearsed and broken up into sections that were often blocked out of order, and other elements of the show like the dancing and singing, also started out as separate entities from the rest of the show. This came with multiple challenges, but many of them worked themselves out in the end. The dance and choreography was especially exciting for me, because it is something I enjoy and have a talent for. That being said, there were still challenges that came along with it. I had to learn how to teach dance to people who have never set foot inside a dance studio which is no easy task. Luckily, the more

Then we started to warm up because we had a judge's preview. So basically we just went into a classroom and performed our dance it was really scary at first, but then it got better because I knew they weren’t judging us that

We were all incredibly nervous but knew we had done everything possible to prepare for competition and that it was all in God’s hands from that moment on. We loaded up the bus at seven ready to go with ear buds in and our minds zoned out. No one was saying a word just “Get your minds set girls!”. As we walked into the park, the nerves started to really set in as we saw all the other teams getting ready to perform. One of Mickey’s little helpers escorted us to the back of the stage with my coaches alongside for us to practice as well. We prayed and practiced and prayed and practiced until it was go

The show was starting in just a few hours and everyone was rushing around making sure nothing would go wrong. The dancers putting on the last of their makeup going through their check-list. “Pointe shoes hair sprayed? Check. Hair hair sprayed? Check. False eyelashes? Not check!". I found myself wandering away from the others to a place where I can get just a minute alone. A minute alone to collect my thoughts before heading into the chaos. My dance was relatively soon so I decided to head back to get ready early. Standing backstage will most likely be the most nerve-racking experience ever. My white dress sparkled due to diamonds sewed onto the bodice. A crown placed in front of my bun made me feel complete. "Listen, you have to seize the moment and stay in it. Use that adrenaline and make this the best you have ever dance. But most importantly, have fun while you are out there. I'm proud of you". With Olivia's words, I get a sense of courage flow me. "Don't worry," I tell her, "I'm not going to throw away my shot". She smiles at me encouragingly. The audience claps and the music ends. Oh dear god it's my turn next. My body goes on autopilot as the music starts. Grand Jeté after Grand Jeté I leap, twirl, and pose my way off the stage; a smile not leaving my face the whole

As the audition approached, I avoided it as much as I could. I was so preoccupied with making sure my mom knew how much I did not want to audition that I barely prepared. The week of, I was so overcome with anxiety and the fear of making a fool of

This past summer, I was lucky enough to travel with Burklyn Ballet Theatre to Edinburgh, Scotland, and perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Each day after performing, my group would travel all throughout Edinburgh and nearby cities, exploring nearby historical sites and castles as well as attending performances, such as the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. After the dancing portion of the trip had finished, my family met up with me and stayed for an extra three days. While visiting Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, I became extremely intrigued with the line of Scottish and English succession. More precisely, the merge between Scottish and English monarchy with the rule of James the VI of Scotland/1st of England’s Merger of the Crowns. Not only

"Besides the part where I have to wear a rubber mouse head for 6 minutes, yeah" I responded laughing. We continued to stretch, going through our splits, and adding some relevés to get our ankles warmed up. We stretched our arms and legs, did a few push-ups and jumping jacks. All you could smell was the hairspray, and the make-up, and weirdly cookies, but that's because we all teamed up and brought snacks. We all made our way onto the stage, pitch black, to hear mumbling out by the sound booth and up in the light box. All of a sudden the lights come on, and we sit ourselves in a semi circle around the three teachers, Lauren, Gretchen, and Vanessa. I zone out as they begin speaking and focus

On April 13th, I attended San Francisco Ballet’s Program 07, Made For San Francisco. The San Francisco Ballet is notorious for their classical full length ballet productions, but let me tell you, they are equally as amazing in a more contemporary setting. This specific triple bill showcase was made of Trio, Ghost In The Machine, and Within The Golden Hour. The first piece was choreographed by Helgi Tomasson, the company’s own artistic director, and is world renowned classical ballet dancer of his generation. Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence, was played by the orchestra and the notes of the music carried each dancer across the stage. It blended so well with the dancing, it seemed as if it were made for the movements. Crisp yet

“Oww,” I winced as my knee buckled for about the millionth time that day as I tried to practice my pirouettes for the dance audition starting in a couple of minutes. “Come on” I thought to myself wondering why my knee chose this exact time, this was important, I needed to nail this audition so that I could earn myself a spot in Company 2 this year. It was heart wrenching to think that I could be in Company 1 in 7th grade! “Get in order according to your number,” the dance teacher noted and I did as fast as I could,everyone knew that auditions were a non nonsense matter.Finally, the audition started, the Dance Instructor lead the stretching routine and then told us to go across the floor, he taught us what we needed to show and turned on the music. I thought to myself ,”run, run arms rounded in first when you run; a brush

My heart was beating as I stood in the elevator waiting for my floor to come. The audition was on the 2nd floor in room 214. I stood outside the door 5 minutes early in hopes I might get in early. But as time passed it was 10:20 and pretty soon I was worried I had missed the room or went to the wrong place. Thankfully the judge came out and told me they were ready. The judges were all professors I had just previously spoke too except one. The marching band director was present along with the ones I spoke too which was good because I planned on trying for the marching band scholarship during this audition. I had a short talk with them explaining what I was playing as well as why I was auditioning at their school. The time came for me to play, I took a breath, relaxed every inch of my body the best I could, and got lost in the music. I forgot anyone was even there, I was so focused on my craft and what was coming out of my saxophone it didn't matter who was in the room, I was there to make music. I entered a state of bliss almost forgetting I was in an audition. After playing my first piece the judges looked pleasantly surprised. What they didn't know was that the first piece I played was the easy one. Now was time for the big moment, my big finale. Three pages of music and preparation to show off to a room full of musicians with a skillset I dream to have. One more first breath, relax, enter a state of bliss, and play. Each

After we were done practicing we went out and sat down in our seats to start the concert. When my part was coming up I started shaking because I was so scared but then Katrina grab my arm and whispered in my ear, “It will be all right”. Finally my time came and I played my heart out and I didn’t mess up. I was so glad that I gave it a try and I would recommend you to try it.

There was a student in a higher class. She was really nice and she had a big passion for ballet. She was the top student in her class. She helped my class and we watched her dance. She was so skilled that she became one of my big inspirations. I wanted to dance just like her.