Do I Have To Take Ballet?
If You Want To Be Seen As A Well-rounded Dancer...Yes!
During West Side Story ('57), Jerome Robbins told Grover if he wanted a successful Broadway career, he'd have to take more ballet.Grover did. Six months later, Robbins hired him to assist with "Ballets, U.S.A."
BALLET IS A PROBLEM FOR ME!
Grover,
I'm a 13-year-old girl from Scotland and I've always wanted to dance. But I have a problem. I don't like ballet. I did ballet from the age of 3 up until a few years ago. The only dance I enjoy is hip hop and pop. I might be willing to start ballet again if it increases my chances of going pro. Please give me some advice!
Julie
Dear Julie,
Oh my. Like yourself...when I was 13, I disliked ballet. Frankly, if I never have to do another plie, releve, or ronde jambe again, I'll be a happy man! So there, I said it. Ballet never felt like fun. It was always hard, difficult, tedious work. Then why in the world did I do it?
Truth is, something inside me knew it would make a difference. It gave me what I needed to become a "well-rounded" professional. It taught my body how to make connections between the choreographic highlights. It taught me how to leap, turn, and jump without injuring myself. Through the training, my body learned how to take off and land properly. Sudden transfers from one direction to another became effortless. Falling off balance rarely became an issue. Double turns (to the right and left) were solid. It not only gave me ease of movement, it contributed to my ability to pick up and retain choreography.
Muscle memory became instinctive. My jazz work benefitted. The training not only gave substance to my movement, it liberated it. I was able to deliver what any choreographer asked of me. I didn't have to enjoy ballet...I just had to accept the good that came from applying myself to it.
If you choose to study ballet, get the best training you can afford. Find a teacher who explains the value of plies, releves, and ronde jambes. Ask them to help you understand why your muscles need to repeat them over and over. If you're lucky, you'll find one who will show you exactly how ballet contributes to your performances of jazz dance and hip hop.
Good luck, Julie.
Grover D.
