Bloch Prolite II Hybrid Slipper Review

Just after classes started this fall, I got the Bloch Prolite II Hybrid ballet slipper, so I've had them for maybe 4 months now.  They are leather and split sole with a canvas arch insert.  At first, I didn't like them so much, but now that I've gotten used to them, I love them!  They're not too different from the Bloch Dansoft full-soles I'd been wearing.  I like them better than the Dansofts because the leather is a little less thick, so the pleating under the toes isn't thick and lumpy (which was really uncomfortable to relevé on).  It also clings to my foot better so you can actually see that I'm pointing!  So if you're looking for a new pair of flats, I totally recommend these!  A few other girls in my class also have these and we all love them!

2013 Wishlist

Exactly last year, I posted my dance wishlist.  This is an updated version, my wished-for items of this year.  It's a lot smaller than last year's; some things I have now, and some things I've found a cheaper alternative.

Dancewear:
Wrap Skirt from JanetsStore
Gg Skirt
Capezio Camisole V-Back Leotard 
Bloch Satin Trim Halter Leotard
Sansha Alicante Halter Leotard
And you can never have to many tights, am I right?  My favorites are Theatricals Convertible Tights and Body Wrappers Low Rise Convertible Tights.
My friends have been teaching me some little tap steps, so I really want tap shoes
Other:
First Position Ballet Documentary
The Ballet Companion by Eliza Gaynor Minden
Girl in Motion by Miriam Wenger-Landis
I-FLEX JR. Stretch Unit

What are some of your most wished-for dance items this year?

Winter Break

So much has happened since I last posted.  I didn't realize that the last time I posted was in October...it feels like it was just a couple weeks ago!  I guess time really does fly when you're having fun.  This post is going to be a giant catch-up post, and I'll try to remember everything that's happened since I last posted.  I'll try to keep it in chronological order!

They put out the cast list for Cinderella!  I'm a "lady of the court", not sure what that's supposed to be, but I'm really happy that I got cast for both the A and B showings.  Rehearsals start sometime in early January and we've already been fitted for our costumes.  Our costumes are a bright pinkish-purple with romantic tutus and sequined corsets, really pretty (and fluffy hehe).  Some of my friends are also court ladies, and I convinced one of my guy friends to sign up, so rehearsals are going to be super fun!

We had our vocab test, which included a performance section that I did not know about.  So it was the day after the written test, and my teacher hands me a piece of paper and says, "You have a few minutes to practice, I'll come get up when it's time!"  And I was just standing there like "what is this."  Apparently we were supposed to learn the combination that was on the paper then perform it.  For not knowing what I was doing, I don't think I did too bad; 94% overall for the written and performance tests.

So that was all good, but I kinda pulled my hamstring.  Again.  Did I post about that last times I pulled my hamstring?  I don't know if I did, but this is the 4th time it's happened since I started ballet (left three times, right once).  This time, it happened in class, during an exam.  One of our combinations was a barre stretch that ended with split.  I went into the split and it was fine until I tried to sink a little lower, but then my hip sorta popped.  When I talked to my teacher about it later and mentioned how it's a rather common occurrence, she recommended that I go talk to the athletic trainer.  We have an athletic trainer on campus (one of the many things I love about my school, they have everything on campus), so I went with a friend to talk to him.  He said I've been overworking by hamstrings by stretching so much, so I need to work on strengthening them and stretch them less aggressively (not exactly what he said, a shorter approximation).

Not really ballet related (meaning: you may skip this paragraph if you're on this ballet blog to read about ballet), but I finished my first semester of school ever!  Well, not ever, but does 1st grade really count after 9 years of homeschooling?  I took my first midterms last week, and they were surprisingly fun.  By the time we had to start studying for midterms, I was like 510% done with it all, so I just reviewed for Physics, since it's pretty much the only class where I care about my grade.  It actually turned out pretty well.  While most other people were stressing and doing all-nighters to cram, I just got lots of sleep and watched a lot of Doctor Who.  The tests were soo easy, I'm glad I didn't waste time studying.  I got an A on my Algebra II midterm (my first A in that class!!), but I'll have to wait until Winter Break is over to see how I did on the rest of them.

I know this was a really big post, but I guess we're all caught up now!  I'll probably be posting like crazy for the next couple of days.  I'm really sorry that I left for so long, and I don't want to stay away for so long again, no matter how mad life gets.  I have a personal goal to post at least once a month, if not more, and I plan on sticking to it!  Ballerinas, comment below, tell me what's been going on, how your classes have been going!  Is your studio starting recital prep soon?  Keep dancing!

Big Exam Grades, Pointe, and Cinderella Update! And Tip for Fast Improvement

Last week we had the big ballet exam.  The BIG one.  It was written and physical, over two class periods.  We needed to know the 8 positions of the body, the pas de bourrees, the Cechetti and Vaganova arabesques, the Cechetti and Vaganova walls, the 5 things that make a step happen, and the 3 types of releases.  Being a master procrastinator, I didn't get around to learning or memorizing any of this until two days before the tests.  Oops.  I did very well though; 96/100 for my written and 48/50 for my physical.  This boosted my class grade about 4 points.  Yay!

So a few weeks earlier, I was talking to my ballet teacher about pointe classes.  They aren't a part of the ballet classes, but an extra after school class.  She said I could have joined the pointe class this year but I missed the time to sign up, so I can sign up next year.  So guys, pointe next year!!  Unless I decide to join my friend's dance class outside of school this year-- they're starting pointe, too.  I'll have another update about what I decide sometime later.

This Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, we didn't have class because the teacher's were at a convention.  But on Monday and Tuesday we did have class, and the people who signed up for Cinderella got fitted for costumes.  I don't know when they're going to decide the cast, though.  Our teacher mentioned that they needed extra boys (not to dance, just sort of like props), so I've been trying to talk all my guys friends into signing up.....that hasn't been going too well. *sigh*

With class every day, I noticed how fast I'm improving.  Practicing every day, stretching every day can help a lot.  Even just taking 10 seconds to touch your toes every day and in just a few weeks you'll see the difference.  So here's my challenge to you; pick one thing that takes less than five minutes, that you can do anywhere, and do it every single day.  It's so easy that you don't have any excuse!  Let me know if you try this, and keep me updated on the results!  Keep dancing!  :)

Exams And Grades

Hey guys!  I know, I've been gone for a while, but things are so busy.  I won't be able to post as much this year as I used to :(  So anyways, we had our first ballet exam about 3 weeks, and another last Friday.  They were both on the barre routines we'd been learning. I got my grades back; 84% on the first, 86% on the second.  I'm kinda disappointed, I thought I had done better, but I'm happy that I got feedback too.  Here's some of the corrections I got: "Don't forget to cross your 5th esp. to the back.  Your arabesque need to be "up" as well as forward - keep shoulders square."

We have a really big exam coming up in October, a written test this time.  We've been learning the eight positions of the body, and the pas de bourrees.  For the test, we need to know the names, how to do them, and the definitions.  It's all a lot to process!

First Ballet Exam

On Friday, we had our first ballet exam.  It was just a quiz on the barre combinations we've been learning for the last week.  I think I did pretty well, besides messing up on battements.  I'm not sure when we're going to get our results, but soon, hopefully.  I got some new ballet slippers last Sunday that I finally finished sewing the elastics on, so I wore them for the exam and class on Friday.  They seem nice so far, they feel like my full-soles but softer and they fit better.  They are Bloch Pro-Lite II Hyrbid, I'll post a review of them in a few weeks.

This week, we have no school Monday, half day Wednesday, and no school Thursday so we only get to dance on Tuesday and Friday.  Wednesday is only half day, so the periods will be too short to have enough time to get changed and have a reasonable length class.  Instead, we're just going to stay in our clothes and learn the eight positions of the body.  I'm not sure what this is...we learned the first four positions last week, but I can't remember any of them (oops).  I'm going to try to stretch Tuesday and Thursday, even though I have class Tuesday.  Lacrosse tryouts are coming up in January, so I've started running to get ready.  Running can make you lose flexibility, so I'm going to need to stretch a lot more, outside of class.

So, it's like 1:30am.  I meant to write this post last week when I had nothing to do...but now that I'm trying to finish this physics assignment, it seemed like a good time to write it.  Good night (or good morning?) ballerinas!

Also, I extended the poll in case you didn't get a chance to vote!

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!