Shrek The Musical was shut down twice (!) due to the pandemic, but we finally had such a fun run in March of 2022. Choreo for this started running through my brain in 2019 and after three different cast shifts for the dances over the course of two years, including changing heights, numbers, and skill level of the dancers, I was beyond happy to see version 3.0 come to life on the stage!!
Photo Credit: Elliott Bury.
Some fun images and video from “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” Holiday performance in December 2022.
Photo credits:Amy Wilhelms https://www.instagram.com/enpointephotog/
Video credit: Nic Walsch
Some of our lovely dancers this week during an impromptu photo shoot after class! Photo credit: Amy Wilhelms https://www.instagram.com/enpointephotog/
My original, full-length ballet Aladdin premiered June 2022
My original, full-length ballet premiered January 2022
I had a blast choreographing this piece. Collaborating with the awesome Lo Poppy @_fluidcreaturecollective_ on the Hip Hop section was a treat!
PC: Brentnie Marie Photography
Choreography - One Eleven Theatre’s “Music Man” 2017
Director: Bruce Allen
Music Director: Ron Strom
Dear Ballet Parent (who truly believes your child should advance to the next class level),
I know you are surprised and concerned that your child is not moving up to the next level in ballet. I hear you when you say that you are dreading telling your child that they have to spend another year in the same level. I have talked to many of you, and even though the details are different for each of your dear children, I hope that you will read on as I try to briefly explain my reasons for this.
First of all, just because a student is in a level for a certain number of years does not mean they should be automatically moved to the next level. Progress in ballet is based on so many things, and just showing up to class does not mean your child is ready to advance.
Second, I have kept your child in this level because I think it will maximize their success in their ballet future! If certain alignment issues, technique issues, strength, etc. are not really, really, solid, ballet quickly becomes frustrating, and can potentially lead to injury.
Third, I have first hand experience of students begging to be moved up, only to end in disappointment. Just recently, I had a student and parent INSISTING that they were ready for my most advanced class, had been in ballet for a million years, etc, etc. Against my better judgement, I agreed to let the student try a few classes. As I expected, the student was lost and overwhelmed in class, and the student broke down in tears!! I don’t want this experience for your child!!
Your child worked hard and did a wonderful job last year. Staying in this level just means that they are not developed enough to move up. I believe they can gain a lot from another year to make some things automatic and solid in muscle memory. Your child will benefit both physically and artistically.
Many ballet schools have formal year-end examinations, giving black and white standards a student has to meet in order to move up to the next level. I see how that would make it easy for everyone to understand what is required for advancement.
I hope you remember that I have watched your child for hours each week over the course of a whole dance year. As I watched during classes and rehearsals I looked at:
These are just some of the things I thought through. I hope this is helpful. I am sorry if your child is disappointed. Ballet can be a hard thing sometimes. I hope you understand that I want nothing more than for your child to have beautiful technique and hearts full of joy when they dance. I truly think that the best path to this is for your child to stay in this level this year.
I would love for you to share the following little note with your child, if you think it would be helpful or encouraging.
Blessings,
Erica
p.s. I am always open to chatting with you. Please know my heart — I love my students!!!
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My dear beautiful, amazing, hard working dancers,
After a lot of thought, I have decided that you should stay in your current level for another year. I truly believe that this next year will prepare you so much for success in your dancing future.
I know that you worked SO HARD last year! It is ok to feel disappointed that you are not moving up. I understand that ballet can be really hard sometimes, and that I know you give your heart and soul and body to it.
You are beautiful, and your body is perfect just the way it is. I hope you always find joy in your heart when you dance, even when you have to work so hard on technique and getting things right.
I had the most wonderful year with you last year. I love all of my amazing students, and I know that one more year in this level is just the right thing for you. I hope that next time I see you, I can give you a huge hug, and tell you how proud I am of all your hard work and dedication.
With much Love,
Miss Erica
As a ballet teacher, I truly want my students to feel comfortable and confident when they come to class. They are all such individuals, and I am not one to squash any sort of creativity.
But I also need to be able to clearly see their bodies in order to be an effective teacher. Baggy clothes, long skirts, pants/legwarmers hanging down over feet, and dark tights make it very difficult for me to clearly see the alignment and positioning that is crucial to ballet instruction.
I always ask my students to help me by sticking to my dress code (this applies to my students in Ballet 1 and up). When I have explained the "why" of it, they seem to appreciate that the dress code is to their own benefit, and not just a set of arbitrary, "uptight" rules.
Here's what I like to see:
Girls: solid colored leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and optional - a short, sheer ballet skirt
Boys: black or gray fitted pants or tights, a well fitting t-shirt, black or white ballet shoes
Note: If ballet shoes have drawstrings, they need to be double-knotted, trimmed, and tucked in so they don't continually come undone during class
Q. Does my leo have to be black?
A. No - any color is fine, as long as it is not a crazy, bright pattern.
Q. Why won't you let me wear shorts instead of a skirt?
A. Well... I am so tempted to just give in on this one. Tradition, I suppose. But I will say, it makes your legs look shorter, which you really don't want as a dancer.
Q. Why can't I wear black tights (girls)?
A. It is so much harder for me to see how you are using your legs when you wear black. I can help you utilize your muscles better when I can see them!
Q. Why does my hair have to be in a bun? What's wrong with a ponytail?
A. Chaines, pirouettes, fouettes. Your hair will whack you in the face if it is not really secure!
Q. Why can't I wear my favorite "tutu" or long flowy skirts to class?
A. Long skirts make it nearly impossible for me to tell if your knees are straight or bent. I can't tell what is going on with your lower body much at all. Short "tutu" skirts are distracting for the most part. Save the fancy skirts for the stage.
Are you a ballet teacher? I'd love to hear your thoughts on dress code "why's." Do you allow booty shorts? Why or why not?
Are you a student? Have a question that I didn't answer? Ask away in the comments.