My Experience at TBT's Summer Intensive

By: Jordan Carter
Age: 12

                I was a commuter student at TBT’s amazing Summer Intensive. On a typical day, I would wake up, and prepare for eight hours of dancing! I was in the yellow level, but everyone’s first class was technique. Arriving at the studios at 8:30, I had plenty of time to stretch and warm up for our 9:00am class. During technique, I always learned something new! After that, we had a fifteen minute break to put on our pointe shoes for pointe class. After pointe, there was a lunch break where I enjoyed talking to my new friends, eating, and watching the older levels.

                Our next class, although every day was different, would be a repertoire class with Ms. Lindett. In repertoire, we worked on the variations taught to us by guest teachers as well as TBT’s teaching staff. In our Pilates class, we were able to relax our muscles, and then strengthen them. After Pilates, jazz class with Ms. Vicki was next! Like always, it was super fun! After putting on our sweats and getting our dance shoes together, a Dance Related Studies class was in order before we left. Every week there was a different topic for DRS. Topics such as, injury prevention, Ballet history, etc.

                Every time that I left the TBT building, I had learned something new, and was already excited and eager for the next day, and right now, I’m looking forward to the next Summer Intensive!

               

Photo of the Day!

The Perfect Fit

                                                              
       Ah…the good ole’ pointe shoe. When the phrase “pointe shoe fitting” is first uttered to a young, aspiring ballerina, the excitement is undoubtedly present. It’s the beginning of a new chapter in a dancer’s life. Pointe shoes to a ballerina are like ice skates to a figure skater…it’s inevitable that you wear them. How simple is it to find the right shoe for the dancer though? Well, as a company member of Texas Ballet Theater, I have learned it is not the easiest task.
       I was twelve years old when my ballet teacher of 7 years allowed me to have my first fitting. I remember it being one of the most exciting days of my childhood. As far as I knew, pointe shoes were glorious pieces of plaster and fabric that encircled a dancer’s foot and made it beautiful. I believed it would be simple. Find a shoe, and go. Well, I was proven wrong very fast. After having to leave my teacher 2 years later and move to Texas, my training initially lacked. I knew I needed to get better training so I came to Texas Ballet Theater School. I had pre-pointe, then eventually full classes of pointe as I worked my way up in the school. Class was a sure constant…my shoes however, were not. I had noticed I have a crescent shaped foot that would lead the pointe shoe to twist on me. This always caused a problem because I felt I wasn’t able to dance comfortably, safely, or with my best ability in the shoes. With the guidance of my teachers at TBTS, the search for the “perfect shoe” began. Well let me tell you, to this day I am still in search of it.

                                                                      

         A common misconception is the same one I had when I was twelve. Not everybody has a foot shape that can easily be fitted into a pointe shoe. I have had 3 companies custom make shoes for me and every time I would start to get used to a different shoe, it wouldn’t work out. Common problems for me are twisting and sagging, and most frustrating I break them in unusually fast. I have had personal shoe fittings go as long as 3 hours. I have tried on EVERY maker and brand of shoe in the two best dance stores in the metroplex. Along with this, I also was fitted at the actual Freed Studios and wasn’t successful. This really took a toll on my confidence. Was it me? Do I just have horrible feet? To be honest, I don’t have Sylvie Guillem feet. However, I have learned to work with what I have.
          So what is the problem? I received the help of a gracious local shoe fitter that has been spending countless hours with me and my troublesome feet. I have learned I have what is called a “compressed foot”. About 30% of ballet dancers have this type of foot. My feet when pointed and stretched in a hard shoe, tend to fold because of their flexibility. This leads to twisting, and sinking, but don’t get the wrong idea. I can’t blame it all on the shoe. I have learned along the way that a lack of strength in ankles and feet make everything more difficult! So there-bands and proper releves are crucial to have as a routine in most professional careers.
            I am happy to say that I have recently found a shoe that has been working well with me. There are still some adjustments that need to be made, but I have full confidence that I may have found the shoe for me! If you are struggling or you are just beginning the search…don’t get frustrated, you are not alone. It could take time, but don’t settle. Blisters and bruised toenails are two very common occurrences in a ballet career. Don’t think that there is a perfect shoe that will never give you a blister. Pointe shoes may be pretty, but they do cause pain. Find the right shoe that makes you comfortable and allows you to execute steps to the best of your ability. Be sure to be fitted by trained fitters, and always let your teacher see them on you before using them in class. You may be lucky and find the right shoe immediately! Some of you won’t and it may take longer. You are not alone! Stay positive, work hard, and your perfect pointe shoe will find its way to you!

By: Michelle LeBoeuf
Company member

                                                                     

Photo of the Day

                      TBT's Eddie Tovar and Leticia Oliveira in Balanchine's Theme and Variations

Ignite Texas Ballet Theater's 2011-2012 season with your matching gift now!

                                        Texas Ballet Theater in Ben Stevenson's Four Last Songs

Two prominent Texas Foundations, The Burnett Foundation and the E.F. Von Seggern Charitable Foundation, generously support Texas Ballet Theater each  year with matching grant awards. These challenge grants must be matched with new or increased contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis. New and increased ticket sales also qualify toward the Burnett Foundation grant.

See your donation or ticket purchase value double in size:

      *Donate, subscribe or buy tickets online
      *Mail your gift to TBT Development Department
           1600 Green Oaks Road, FW, TX 76116 or
      * Call 1-877-828-9200, X118

Here's what I am excited for!!

 

Texas Ballet Theater's Summer Intensive

 

The Senior level in Ben Stevenson's The Sleeping Beauty

 

Character Class with Ballet Master Li Anlin

 

Jazz Class with TBT company member Victoria Simo

The entire TBT building was buzzing with excitement while pre professionals and budding ballerinas were hard at work. During the five week summer intensive, the studios and hallways were flowing with vibrancy and positive energy. The program featured professional instruction from our skilled teaching staff, Texas Ballet Theater’s artistic staff, and very special guest instructors. Classes included ballet technique, pointe, jazz, men’s class, pas de deux, modern, character, pilates / stretching, and dance related studies. 

We look forward to having these bright dancers return next summer. Watch out for them! There are big things ahead for our students. Lucky for us, some of them will be returning as TBT trainees and apprentices. Welcome  Roman Frey, Jennifer Bobo, Meredith Broussard, Amanda Fairweather and Courtney Stohlton.

~Victoria Simo

Fascinating Facts

                                          Texas Ballet Theater in Ben Stevenson's Swan Lake

*Ballet was invented in Italy
*There are more than 2,000 Nutcracker performances in the U.S. each year
*King Louis XIV of France was once a dancer. He encouraged other nobles to do the same and built the Paris Opera Ballet
* A male dancer is called a danseur (dan-soor), not a ballerina
*The Bolshoi Ballet began when the council for the Moscow Orphanage asked former dancer Fillippo Beccari to train the children in dance
*The dancers use pinky-white make-up to matt their shoes and to keep them looking clean. They use the same make-up on their bodies to achieve the white, ethereal look required for Swan Lake, Dracula or Giselle

Welcome Allisyn, Paige and Drake!

                                            Allisyn Hsieh in Balanchine's Theme and Variations

Allisyn Hsieh comes to Texas from Kensington, New Hampshire. She began her professional training with Boston Ballet School, and continued with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Ms. Hsieh has enjoyed performing "Clara" in The Nutcracker and  Balanchine's Serenade. After a year as a senior trainee, Ms. Hsieh was asked to return as a company corps member.

          Peter Zweifel, Sasha Kotelenets, and Paige Nyman in Ben Stevenson's  Four Last Songs

From Kansas City. Kansas, Paige Nyman began her ballet training at Dance Works Conservatory. She then studied at the Harid Conservatory on full scholarship under Svetlana Osiyeva, Victoria Schneider and Olivier Pardina, and twice received the Fred Leiberman Award for Excellence. Some of her favorite roles include the “Urchin” in Ben Stevenson’s Romeo and Juliet and Balanchine’s Serenade. Ms. Nyman has worked her way up the later from trainee to apprentice and now company corps member.

                            Drake Humphreys and Victoria Simo   in the TBT's Fashion Show

Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Drake Humphreys trained at Ballet West Academy, while spending summers studying with Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Texas Ballet Theater School. He was
 asked to be  in the TBT corps this past spring.

Congratulations!!

                                                                   Carrie and Justin 
            
Company member Carrie Judson and former TBT dancer Justin Urso got engaged on January 1, 2010 in Central Park. They had been dating for a little over 5 years. New York had always been a special place for them because the two of them have celebrated every New Years. After a busy year of planning, Carrie and Justin wed in beautiful Santa Cruz, California with family and friends. They celebrated their marriage by honeymooning in Hawaii. 

 From left to Right: (former TBT dancer) Jessica Freitas, (TBT dancers) Carrie Judson,Victoria Simo and Robin Bangert

                                                                 Leticia and Carl

Opening night of Romeo and Juliet, Carl Coomer, from England, who was dancing Romeo proposed to his real life Juliet, Leticia Oliveria, from Brazil, just before the show! It was announced  just before the curtain went up and the audience roared with excitement. Carl and Leticia had their ceremony and reception in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with close friends and family on July 9, 2011. Later, they traveled to romantic Hawaii for their honeymoon.




Best wishes!
Your friend,
Victoria Simo

Ballet Isn't Just for Kids

            This is a clip of the Tuesday evening  Beginner - Intermediate class.

At some point in their lives most girls desire to put on a frilly tutu, lace ribbons and whirl the graceful dance of ballet. Maybe they practice in their living rooms, or take lessons for awhile, but most do nothing going about their lives and getting wistful thoughts when they watch ballet, wishing that they too had taken lessons. Many men and women are under the impression that if they didn't start young that there is no place for them in ballet among the bendy teens and veteran dancers. That's where they are wrong. Ballet is for All ages, and TBT caters to all types of people, encouraging everyone to take up this wonderful dance form as a life-long hobby. The beauty of ballet is that people of multiple levels can practice ballet.With ballet it's never too late.
 
For the past three months I have had the privilege of teaching the adult class here at our TBT studios on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30pm.  

Ballet dancing is one of the most beneficial forms of physical activity one can do. Ballet not only strengthens essential muscles that are used in everyday life, but also strengthens muscles that only dancers use while also elongating them. The class offers a fun way to tone and tighten your body while learning the fundamental techniques of ballet.

If you walk into the adult ballet class you will see a huge range of people. There are young college students taking the class for fun, professionals taking it to relieve stress, 60 somethings taking it to stay flexible, and the occasional "serious dancer" taking a slower class while recovering from an injury. In short, anyone and everyone can take TBT's adult beginner or advanced class.

I wanted to thank TBT and the adult ballet students for letting me express my greatest love this summer. Teaching the adult class has brought me a rich experience. Sharing it with people who truly love ballet is very fulfilling. This class brought the opportunity for others to find an avenue to express their creativity in a positive and uplifting place. The Tuesday and Thursday 6:30pm summer classes run through August 18, 2011. I look forward to fall beginner -Intermediate classes starting August 23, 2011. No tu-tu required!

Victoria Simo
Company member

A peek behind the curtain at bows

Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker

 

Ben Stevenson's The Sleeping Beauty

Backstage Pass

Hey, everyone!  My name is Victoria Simo, dancer with Texas Ballet Theater. I am so excited to be  writing  this blog,  not only to keep everyone posted,  but to also give people a dancer's perspective of the company.  Although  it  is summer, Texas Ballet Theater is busy as always.  The Texas Ballet Theater Summer Intensive  has drawn students from around the world and everyone is working hard in preparation for next season. I will keep you updated on everything TBT and give you the inside scoop!