My summer break began May 1st. I gave myself about a week off and I just slept and enjoyed life from the sofa. I am such a busy body, that a period of rest was exactly what I needed. I then went to Texas to spend time with my family and taught about 9 master classes. Boy did I have a great time. I love teaching and being able to pour into the lives of others. It is always so refreshing to work with dancers that you have never worked with before, as well as dancers that you have not worked with in a long period of time. When I came back home to Charlotte, I continued teaching and begun taking classes again to get back in shape preparing for our summer Chautauqua Residency. Rehearsals began June 6th and I spent 2 weeks beginning learning the rep for the first show. After 2 weeks I then spent 4 weeks in Chautauqua, New York. In those 4 weeks I danced 5 different ballets, 2 of which were brand new. I had about 6 days off once I got back from New York, which I spent taking class with the Charlotte Ballet Summer Intensive students. Then the magical day came for me to return to UNCSA to teach at the Preparatory Summer Dance Intensive for 2 weeks. While there I was able to work alongside some incredible teachers, and well as some incredibly talented dancers. It was such a learning experience in really allowing me a new perspective on how I approach my teaching, as well as how I approach the way that I work in my technique classes. Upon finishing at UNCSA I received a phone call about an injury that happened in Chautauqua, and so I caught a plane the very next day back up to New York to begin rehearsing for a show that would be performed 6 days later. I was fortunate to have danced the ballet before, although dancing many parts than I didn’t before was a great experience. I learned a lot about myself and what I am really capable of and I am really ready to go back into this new season and just kick some ballet bootay!
This new season, I am ready to go back and continuing growing not only technically, but as an artist. I am also excited to explore new cross training opportunities. The rep for the season is nice and versatile. I am most excited to perform in one of my favorite ballet’s Sleeping Beauty! This year is all about celebrating Jean-Pierre (the Artistic director of Charlotte ballet who is retiring in June of 2017), and I am honored to have a part in helping make this season as special as Jean-Pierre is to all of our hearts.
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