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

Dear Megan Fairchild...

Dear Megan Fairchild!!!

Image Courtesy of: PlayBill Vault

Hello!!!!!!! To think that you would ever stumble across my blog is crazy to think about! I'm a big fan of you and how far you've come in your dancing journey! I have so many questions to ask you like, what was it like when you were picked to join New York City Ballet? How did you come from Salt Lake City and make it to New York City Ballet? What was the hardest part? What's your favorite thing about dancing? What inspires you to dance? What was it like to win the L. Wien Award? But anyway, I'm not here to ask questions but to tell you about why you inspire me, and about my blog.

You inspire me so much, because you were about to work your way up to being a principal dancer in one of the greatest ballet companies in America today! I also think it's really cool that your brother is also apart of your dancing story and dances with you as a principal as well! It's crazy to think that you were a part of Ballet West's company too, which I have seen preform several times and are amazing! From the video clips that I've seen of you dancing I can tell that you love dance immensely and are able to bring emotion and character to the stage.  I've been dreaming of seeing New York City Ballet preform live and to see you preform as well would be a dream come true!

Megan Fairchild preforming in Giselle
Image courtesy of: Woman Fitness 

I also live in Utah and have a great passion for dancing and inspire one day to be on stage at the Lincoln Center! I love dancing and started my dancing career at a very young age as well in a small town. Dance lets me take a brake from real life and lets me express my self and let go. The fact that you were able to chase your dream of dancing and preforming and actually make it happen is part of what drives me to work hard and commit to dancing. I dance because I want to share the joy I have with the world and I feel like I'm right where I belong when I'm preforming. I also couldn't live without it. :)

I choose ballet as the topic of my blog because I want to share the joy of dancing with others. I hope that when you read my blog you see another aspiring ballerina who's passion is for dancing. I hope that you would relate to some of my posts because you once started in a small town, and understand having ballet with you from an early age. I would like it very much if you you came back to my blog because you find what I say entertaining and want to tune in to my dancing journey, as I dance through life.

If you really are reading this, thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and I hope it was worth it.

An aspiring ballerina,
- Ali Grace

NUTCRACKER IS OVER - But me posting about it isn't!

Hi there.

You guys Nutcracker is over. *moment of silence for the 2015 Nutcracker*. I'M SO SAAAAADDDDDDDD!!!!! Yes, I know all of you know that the Nutcracker was over about three, four weeks ago, but now I'm going to write a post about, because I really wanted it to still be Nutcracker and it's not. So this post is dedicated to all the things Nutcracker. 

Dress Rehearsal:

Got to the Eccles Center a little late, freaking out because me and my mom couldn't find one of my academy earrings. I got into warm up late, but I was so excited, I could see all the seats, and I got to put my pointe shoes on, and I had a GREAT turning day. (I got a triple which I never get .... EVER).

Eccles Center Stage during dress rehearsal. Magical.
Photo Credits: tripadvisor

And we got to do sautes arabesques, which are my favorite things ever. Then I got to see my darling children, and I gave them the candy cane reindeers that I made for them, they were really really excited. I was so happy they liked them!!! But I had to leave them, because I had to get changed. So I got changed, and then when to see my buffoons and one of them, Sammy, wanted to see what dance they were on so then we went backstage to see what they were on. It was the one right before snow, doses anyone remember which one that is? Then I told her, "Sammy I'm really sorry, you have to go I almost forgot about helping my friend change." So she went and I got there just in the nick of time to help Nicole change from Snow to Arabians with one dance in between, Elephants. Needless to say very stressful. Especially when we couldn't find enough bobby pins. After that I when't back to check on the buffoons then did my base makeup (primer, foundation, concealer, highlighter), and then watched a few dances on stage with my darlings.

Candy canes I made for my buffoons, I drew in the pom pom because it fell off.

Then I asked Sandy about the skirt and me, Sandy, Claire and Taylor got backstage and helped me change into my giant skirt. I was so happy because I wasn't standing but sitting. We got all the buffoons underneath and the dance went great!!!!! The only hard part was when they turned me, attempting not to hit anyone with my pointe shoes (this didn't work I hit Claire), and actually getting off stage, because Claire and Taylor didn't know where they were going and neither did I. So them I had to get off the skirt which was really hard because I could barely even move. This is how that 30ish seconds went:
Me screaming at Claire and Taylor to stop helping me and get to the other side of the stage.
Claire listen but Taylor kept helping me.
Me and and Taylor book it across the stage while ripping a wig off my head.
Pushing through the swarms of little kids most likely looking like a maniac yelling, "I HAVE TO BE ON THE STAGE RIGHT NOW!!!"
Then, right as the all the corps were about to exit, I dramatically enter the stage, fall, scoot my self over to the right spot, then five seconds later, exit the stage with the rest of the corps. Yes, before all of you go crazy I knew that I was not supposed to go onstage because I was already late but I thought I could make it. Anyway after that we spaced Waltz for the longest time and everyone was getting really mad because we only had 30 minutes for lunch. End of dress rehearsal.

I hope you liked this post! Sorry for such an abrupt ending more to come later about the two shows. I am unsure about wather or not I should do a post about the Nutcracker costumes, so if you could vote on the poll that would be amazing! I'm so glad you took the time to read my post!

- Ali Grace

My Leotards!!

Hi there!!!!

MERRY SUPER BELATED CHRISTMAS!!!! I hope everyone had a great Christmas, and for everyone who does not celebrate Christmas, I hope you had a great day!! I thought it would be a good idea to do a dance haul leotard random stuff thing. Basically this post will be all about leotards and more posts to come about the rest of the things.

While writing this post I reallized that I had a TON of leotards, as did my dog (pictured above). Thank you very much to my Mom, who bought all these leotards for me. I love you! :)

My Leotard Collection:

Photo Credits: Me taken by my sissy Samantha
Editing Credits: Photo Grid

My first leotard is a plain, clothish material cami in black. I truly only wear this leotard during competitions and shows, because it's easy to put under itchy costumes during dress rehearsals. This leotard is from Mirella in size 14 it is in the color Black.

Photo Credits: Me taken by my sissy Samantha
Editing Credits: Photo Grid

My second leotard is also black. This leotard, surprisingly enough, used to have a cool lace back to it but I put it in the washer, on cool, and when it was drip drying the feltish stuff that was used to make the lace design started to fall off, and it did until all of it was off. I still like it though, especially the way the mesh comes from to back to front. I got it from Dance Boutique when I first got my pointe shoes. It's from Motionwear and it is in size: Small Adult.

Photo Credits: Me taken by my sissy Samantha
Editing Credits: Photo Grid

My third leotard is black (surprise!) and has lace all over it. The lace is not super breathable, and it shrinks a little when you wash it. Although it is a very pricy leotard, it's really pretty. The lace that is in the front is a little annoying but it's not to bad. Mine also has a small rip in the back of the lace, but it blends in well. The leotard is a Suffolk leotard and it is in size: Petite and the color Black Mascara.

Photo Credits: Me taken by my sissy Samantha
Editing Credits: Photo Grid

My fourth leotard is another black leotard, it's also another cami, but it has a cool backing to it. I really like this one because it's simple but it still has a lot of flare. It's super breathable as well. It's Mirella, in the size Adult Medium in Black.

Photo Credits: Me taken by my sissy Samantha
Editing Credits: Photo Grid

My fifth leotard is new, and is black. I have not gotten a chance to wear this one to class because I just got it for Christmas. I have wanted this leotard for the longest time!! It's very cofterable as well as beautiful!!! The dots on the leotard are smaller in really life than in the picture and the sleeves come to the tips of my shoulders rather than closer to my neck, but those things are minor details. I was originally going to get this one in white, so if anyone gets it white please send me a picture. Also this leotard is in collection called to Dot Collection by:Natalie Couture, and I love all of the ones in the collection. Here is the link if you want to check it out, just look at the ones that say dot on them. This is a Natalie Couture leotard in size Adult Small in the color Black.

Photo Credits: Me taken by my sissy Samantha
Editing Credits: Photo Grid

My sixth leotard is PERIWINKLE!!! (NOT BLACK! YAY!) I got this one to wear on Fridays, which is the only day in our studio we are allowed to wear colored leotards. I also haven't gotten a chance to wear this one to class yet, but it is the most comfortable leotard I have even put on! The color is sooooo pretty, and the lace is fantastic and more breathable than the third leotard. It's also in the New York City Ballet collection which makes me reallllllly excited because NYCB is my favorite company!!!!!! It's a Danskin leotard is the color Dusted Periwinkle is size Small.

Fun with the Mirrors
Photo Credits: Me taken by my sissy Samantha
Editing Credits: Photo Grid

Bloopers
Photo Credits: Me taken by my sissy Samantha
Editing Credits: Photo Grid

A big thank you to my sister Samantha for helping me for about an hour with the whole thing. (She wouldn't let me take a picture of her so I found this one on my mom's phone, it was from a race she was in on the 2th). Thank you to my mom for letting me use her phone, P.S. you can delete all of them from your phone now :). 

Anyway more posts to come about the other things, I really hope you enjoyed this, thanks once again to my sissy Samantha and my Mom! If you like the way the pictures came together the template I used was from Photo Grid. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!

- Ali Grace