Dance It

Hi there!!

Today I wanted to share a little bit of why I dance, and why dance is so important in my life. I hope this helps find out how you can dance your heart out and let go and fly into the world of ballet.

Ballet is my outlet, it lets me forget about everything that is going wrong in my life and lets me fly, escape from reality and makes me feel on top of the world. So if you just let go and become a "pretty pretty princess" and have a moment as Ms. Julianna says, ballet is far from boring. Make movements more fluid, and let go. We are NOT barbie dolls so it's time we start adding fluidity and grace to dancing or else it isn't ballet. You might be wondering, how in the world do I add danceiness to my movement? Well, it's hard, but I would first start with knowing the combination. Although this is hard, pay attention to details. Start asking yourself the question, where can I add my own flare?

NYCB's dancers truly dancing it.
Photo Courtesy of: New York Times

If you have an arm that comes down when you plie, lift a bit before you lower. In a piece with strong accents make sure you hit them. Another idea is to keep moving. Ballet is not poses, and once again we are not barbie dolls. In plies make sure you never have a spot where you are 'stuck'. In Adagio challenge yourself to keep your arms moving the whole time. Not only will it make your movement look more professional, but it will make it look like you are a advanced student in ballet. It's all about the details. Now, after you have mastered the combo and added your own flare, let the music take you somewhere, and get involved. One of my favorite quotes is, "Dance is music made visible." - George Balanchine. 

My favorite quote
Photo courtesy to: Pinterest 

If dance is music made visible then dancing will take you to a different place, making you feel as light as air, or as strong as a solider, or as fearless as a bird. This will make ballet a whole different world you can escape from reality in, which is the reason I like it so much. It reminds me why I'm dancing in the first place. Long hard weeks of dance sometimes leaves us with no more emotional or physical energy. When you connect with truly dancing, it's freeing from that pain and something all the money in the world couldn't buy. When you truly experience this it's like a taste you can't forget, you keep trying to find it and when you do it's almost even better than the first time.  Another reason I love ballet is that you'll never stop improving because you'll never master anything in ballet. Even principal dancers say that's why they love ballet so much. Ballet is something beautiful that everyone will be in a different place with. Ballet is never the same for anyone. For me it's a way to get away from the world. Maybe for someone it's knowing that dance is a safe place for them. Find something you can connect with for dance and it will transform your dancing experience. 

Well, I hoped you liked that! It was basically a rant of why I love ballet, how you can love ballet and how everyone can connect with it. Once again thank you all for taking the time to read my blog and I hope you liked it!!

- Ali Grace

LONG LIVE NUTCRACKER!!!

Hi there!!

Today I wanted to talk about a topic that everyone seems to have confusion about. Ballet West. So, let's clear up the rumors and let me tell you what I know.

Yes, Ballet West has bought Park City Dance and it is now called: Peggy Bergman Ballet West Academy at Park City. (Long name I know). I think Trish and Sandy will still stay at the studio but it wouldn't be run by them anymore. We will still do competitions. The curriculum (Jazz, tap, ballet) will basically stay the same. I think we will have a few more ballet classes. I'm not sure if we will still train in American Ballet Theatre (ABT) style anymore. Some teachers are being added to teach the little kids. Here's the big change. Nutcracker will most likely only be held next year (2016) before it ends.

When I heard this I was shocked. Only one more year? I have grown up in the Park City Dance studio and I cannot remember a Christmas season without Nutcracker. I distinctly remember the first time I saw it and wanting to be a Sugar Plum Fairy. It's been my lifelong dream. Now, the chances of me ever getting the role of a Sugar Plum Fairy is like 0.005%. I would also love to be in snow, which, in my opion, is the prettiest dance of the whole thing. Now unless I move up three levels (which is like 0.00000001% going to happen) I will never get to be in snow.

Never get to be in Snow.
Photo Courtesy of: Park City Dance

Now don't get me wrong, I love ballet west and am thrilled to be a part of their company, (especially to get a ballet west jacket) but taking away Nutcracker is crazy!! Yes we will get a chance to audition to be in their productions, but me getting a part is 0.00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001% going to happen. They are one of the greatest ballet companies in the world.

My Lifelong Dream
Photo Courtesy of: Park City Dance

Also it's not just for us dancers, but also the community of Park City. Many families flock every year to see the Nutcracker. To some it's a tradition! It will bring you Ballet West money, and will attract more small dancers the join the studio.

I know that you would like to get rid of it because it might detract from students auditioning for your shows and might detract your audience. But when has your audience level gone down for your Nutcracker? Never. You're one of the most prestigious ballet companies in America. Also many many dancers from our studio will try to get into your shows, no harm done if they don't get in, but they wouldn't be able to truly preform if they have the Nutcracker.

What I will be for the rest of my Nutcracker season
Photo Courtesy of: Park City Dance

I also would like someone to tell me what other studios give their students a chance to preform in something that people will come to see that are not in their family? 0. Zero other studios give their students this. Sure, recitals are great but what person in their right mind would like to sit for three hour watching dances with no one they know in them? 0. Zero people. The more unique opportunities you have the more you draw people into your studio.

So that's my rant about Nutcracker. All who are with me say aye. (in the comments) Also if anyone knows how to make a petition will they please tell me? We should all write an email to parkcity@balletwestacademy.org. The more people who write the more chance we can make a difference. LONG LIVE THE NUTCRACKER!!! Thank you for reading my blog, I hoped you liked it. :)

- Ali Grace

New Update on the Polls!

Hi there!

This is not a post, but a way you can vote on the polls! I will link the poll and you can click on it and vote! I hope this is helpful!

Which Series Next?

Nutcracker?

Which is your favorite post?

How much do you like this blog?

Moral of the story, Google has ruined your voting experience. But I see no reason why your clicking button experience should be compromised. So I made you polls!!!!!

Anyway before you vote you should know:

1. I love this site, because it has helped me revive my polls, but it is covered in ads. Pay attention to step 2 - 4

2. DO NOT CLICK ON THE BUTTONS THAT SAY DOWNLOAD, PLAY NOW, WATCH NOW, OR CLICK HERE!!!! They will download upsetting things onto your computer. (Actually I don't know because I've never clicked on them, but it's just not a good idea to click on them period.)

3. Click inside the circle of protection where you will be safe.

4. After you've click on an answer click on the bottom that says: Click here to vote! :)

5. Thank you for voting on my polls, have a wonderful day! A new post will be up on Saturday!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog,

- Ali Grace

1220 VIEWS!!!

HI THERE!!!!!!!

HIIIIIII!!!! DO YOU KNOW WHY I'M REALLY EXCITED??!!!??? BECAUSE 1220 VIEWS ARE ON MY PAGE!!!!!

I'm so glad that people have been checking in enough to give me 1220 views!!!!! Now the question is, is that actual people reading my blog views, or my views? Hard to say. Anyway to thank you all I am going to post another posts: ta da here it is, as well as lots of polls (because everyone likes clicking buttons right?). So enough about me, here's the post:

I'M GOING TO DISNEYLAND TO BE IN A PARADE!!!!!!!

CAN YOU BELIVE IT!??!! To most of my readers, this isn't a surprise, but to those who didn't know, I'm so EXCITED!!! You might be wondering, what does it mean to preform in a disney

Image Courtesy of: Media Global

parade? Well it means from now on, I have rehearsals on Saturdays where we learn a routine to music ... and then dance it for twenty minutes straight. And smile the whole time of course! This year we are doing the dance to You Can't Stop the Beat from Hairspray!!!! Disney does the parade lineup a little different with the taller kids in front and the smaller kids in back, which is really exciting because typically I'm in the back because I'm tall, but this time I'M FRONT AND CENTER!!! I'm not sure if I'll be there permanently but for now it makes my year!!! Also at disney, we have a showcase which is kinda like a competition with no 'competing' element to it. We are bring my tap dance, Happy and 7 Nation Army my jazz dance. Also while I'm there I get the chance to go on rides and explore disneyland with my wonderful fantastic dance group!! (While consists but is not limited to: Taylor, Alicia, Rachel, Mikelle, Claire and Faith) This wonderful trip starts for me on April 1!! I can't wait!

THE POLLS ON GOOGLE ARE NOT WORKING! WOULD PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TYPE YOUR ANSWERS IN A COMMENT BELOW THIS POST AND SAY WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE PLEASE?

The polls are not working.

Along with the Disneyland post I also wanted to update you on my blog and a thing I just realized. I have like five or six series of posts going on at once. I want to get them all done, but I would also like to hear what y'all would want to hear first and if you even like polls at all. If you could tell me by voting on the bottom of this post in the comments, that would make me day! :) Along the subject of polls I want to know how you feel about me doing at least three more posts on the subject of Nutcracker, and if you think it's a bad or good idea. Also do you remember when I asked you which post was your favorite, it's that time of year again!!!! If you could vote for your favorite post so far thank would be fantabolus!! If you want to go back and read any of the posts in which I have posted and you can't find them on the home page there is instructions in the ANNOUNCEMENTS!!! section of my blog. Anyway thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog, and I sure hoped you liked it!!!

- Ali Grace