First Class!

School started this week, as did ballet.  We started on Wednesday, but we only actually got to dance on Thursday and Friday, because the first day we just got our lockers and talked about the class.  At my school, we have nine periods which are 45 minutes each.  Since we have five minutes to change before and after class, that leaves us with a 35 minute class.  Not very long, no, just enough time for therapeutic exercises, barre, stretching, and a center combination or two.  I don't mind though because I feel like I'll improve more by dancing everyday, even if it's not a full class.

Since ballet is 7th period and I have 6th period free, I spend the first 40 minutes in the library doing homework, then I walk to the dance studio and change in the locker room with about 15 minutes left before class starts (including 5 min class-change time).  That gives me plenty of time to get dressed, stretch a little, and talk with my other classmates who have 6th free.

On Wednesday, we talked about what to expect in class.  We learn a new therapeutic barre routine and some combinations that we will repeat for two week, then learn new ones.  So we have 10 classes to memorize and perfect the combinations, which I really like.  We also have ballet exams.  I'm kind of excited about these, I feel like they will help me realize what I need to work on and I can improve even more!

The dress code is pretty simple; any solid color leotard, pink tights, pink ballet flats, no warm-ups (except Wednesdays, which are ballet skirt days).  I don't really like the "no warm-ups" rule, because since the class is only 35 minutes and the studio is freezing, I'm just getting warm by the time it's over.  But I like it too because this is the first time I've worn a leotard and tights without shorts over it and it makes my legs look longer and I look leaner!  If you've always wear shorts too, you should definitely try class without them one day!

I'm really glad to have the opportunity to dance here.  The teachers are amazing, and it definitely shows in their students.  I heard them talking about some of the summer intensives the students went too; Kirov, Joffrey, Atlanta, etc, and I just kinda choked on my water.  Like, whoa.  I thought this was just a school dance program.  But it's obviously waaay more than that.  I already signed up for Cinderella in March since the only requirement was to agree to attend every rehearsal (beginning in January, every Saturday from 9am to 5pm).  I had this nagging feeling as I signed the sheet that I was signing my life away...but anything for dance, right?  Keep dancing, ballerinas!  Comment below if you've started your fall classes already :)

Plans for 2013 - 2014 Dance Year

Hey there ballerinas!  So summer is coming to an end, and we're getting closer to that day when we can go back to dance again.  When's the date for you?  Are you dancing at the same studio where you danced last year or are you going someplace new?  What are you looking forward to most this dance year?  Comment below, I'd love to hear your responses :)

My 2013 - 2014 dance year begins August 21st.  Which is also the first day of school.  I posted sometime last month about leaving homeschool.  Well, I'm going to be dancing at my school now.  EVERYDAY.  FOR CREDIT.  I'm screaming from excitement if you couldn't tell! Ballet is an option at my school for health/physical education credit so when I was choosing my classes for the year I was like "Give me ballet!  Yeah, Physics, US History, whatever just give me ballet."  I'm super excited because last year we could only afford one 60min class a week.  Now I'm going to be taking class everyday!  And the studio at my school is so beautiful!  It's huuuge and open and has a door that connects directly to the backstage of the auditorium.  I will definitely try to get a picture.  Also, they have an annual ballet, and this year we're doing Cinderella in March.  I can't wait!

Also, the blog has just passed 5000 views.  I can't even believe it, thank you all so much!  I never thought it would become something like this, and I'm so glad to have found my way to the ballet blogger's community.  This is the one place where late beginners can unite and share their joys and their struggles and no one will ever judge you.  So, a massive thank you to all my readers and all the bloggers of the many other ballet blogs!

I almost forgot (no, I did totally forget, I had to re-edit this post); there is a new poll up in the sidebar.  Please vote for your favorite kind of post.  I want to know what you want to see more of, so please vote!

Ballet On Instagram

If you have an Instagram, be sure to check out these accounts!  These are just a few Instagram pages that I think every dancer should know about.

@fit4dancers

@ma_petite_ballerine

@real_world_ballerina

@balletzaida

@sharkcookie

@bunheadballet  (Also, check out her blog here)

I hope you like these :)  If you want to know about more accounts you should follow on IG, comment below!  Also, I'm thinking about making a Blogger version of this post...thoughts?

Natalie Clover Strap Leotard Review

I got the Natalie Clover Strap Back Tank Leotard in Blue/Black and I loooooove it! It's my current favorite leotard.  I got it from All About Dance, which is my new favorite place to buy dancewear because it is exactly like Discount Dance Supply, except all shipping is free!

The Natalie leotard has amazing support and is sooo comfortable.  I wore it for five hours this summer at my dance intensive, and it was comfortable all day through floor barre, ballet, lyrical, tap, and acro.  It's very flattering and I've received many compliments on it.  The only thing I don't really like about it is that it's cotton, and the top is a light color, so it does show sweat sometime.  However, I'm not a big sweater and it dries fairly quickly.  I'm 5'4, 150 lbs, and I got a large and it fits great.

If you have any questions, about the leotard or anything at all, just comment below :)  Keep dancing!

More SYTYCD Motivation!

Has anyone been keeping up with So You Think You Can Dance?  .....I haven't.  Haha I'm only at the Top 16 right now, so don't tell me anything I shouldn't and I won't tell you anything you shouldn't know!  So my favorite girl and guy at this point are Makenzie and Alan.  But I love Fik-Shun, Paul, and Nico too, and my favorite couples are Amy and Fik-Shun and Makenzie and Paul!  Comment below who your favorites are :)

And may I just say Sonya and Christopher Scott are killing everything.

Travis Wall, Season 2.  He started off brilliant, became even more so during his time on the show.  Watching his solos, you can literally see how much he grows and improves with each one.  Now look at him, an amazing, world-famous choreographer.

I saw this, then I hit 'rewind' and saw it again.  And again.  And again.  Like, I have no adjectives for this...whatever magic he's done here.

I hope you enjoyed these.  Keep dancing!