Hello!
Ok so I've sat around trying to think of the perfect beginning to a blog.... here goes...
*insert perfect opening here* (Let's just pretend it was really hilarious but at the same time super inspiring...)
So now that I've wowed you with that amazing entrance onto the blog scene let me get to the point.. (unintentional pun... but if it made you smile... intentional)
I'm Rebecca! I am a professional ballerina from England currently living and dancing in the United States with a new and innovative ballet fitness business in the making!
I began dancing at the age of 3 when my mum got tired of holding me back from trying to join in my sisters dance lessons. (Shoutout to my sister Rachel who despite having two left feet stayed in ballet classes till the great age of 9!) Like many little girls I took classes at my local dance school once a week... baby pink leotard, polka dot skirt, hair ribbon larger than my head...the works! Sure it was a way for me to release some of that cooped up energy but right from the start this was something I loved.
This love continued to bloom as my family relocated when I was 8 and I signed up at a new dance school. It was here that I started to consider taking my dancing more seriously and started taking additional classes. I cannot thank my teacher Wendy Allsopp enough for her constant support and belief in me.
I began auditioning for youth companies and programs and was lucky to be accepted into most that I applied for, each offering me valuable coaching and great opportunities to develop as a dancer. I gained incredible performance experience, interacted with so many other dancers and received further confirmation from myself that this was something I wanted to pursue... all whilst emptying my parents bank account (Thank you Mum and Dad I'll pay you back someday somehow!) Particular highlights included; Performing in a West End Theatre with London Children's Ballet, being a Senior Associate at The Royal Ballet School and dancing the role of Clara in English Youth Ballet's 'Nutcracker'.
Age 16 I left home and attended 3 years at Tring Park School for The Performing Arts. I specialized in Classical Ballet but also had a large amount of Contemporary and Jazz training. It was the 3 best and most challenging years of my training but I am very grateful for the versatile dancer Tring shaped me into.
Upon graduation I sent my audition material EVERYWHERE ... literally... and became an expert in sending emails and receiving rejections! I spent a month in Portland, Oregon training with a contemporary ballet company and met some amazing and inspirational dancers (who I continue to stalk on social media... love you guys!) This trip really opened my eyes to the professional world of dance on an international scale which encouraged me to try and explore places to dance in America. So, upon returning to the UK I sent my audition material EVERYWHERE in the USA... and became an expert in sending emails with american spellings and receiving american rejections!
But, I guess I am proof that there is truth in "perseverance is the key to success" because a month later I received an invitation to be a trainee with Atlantic City Ballet. So I packed my bags (large bags...) and moved to New Jersey. I spent a year as trainee from which I was promoted to Apprentice and have been dancing with the company since. The company performs a different ballet monthly with a repertoire of well known classics and some unique seasonal programs which keeps us on our toes (pun intended).
So that more or less brings you to date with 'Ballerina Me' but I am so excited to share with you my teaching and dance fitness side in my next blog... Stay Tuned!
Oh and.... let's pretend I had a really dramatic first blog post ending too....
*Insert blog ending that brings readers to tears here*
With Love
Rebecca x
Comments
Post a Comment